Millions of pounds spent by Church of England to evangelise school children
Publisher: In-Sight Publishing
Publisher Founding: September 1, 2014
Publisher Location: Fort Langley, Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Publication: Freethought Newswire
Original Link: https://humanists.uk/2024/06/11/millions-of-pounds-spent-by-church-of-england-to-evangelise-school-children/
Publication Date: June 11, 2024
Organization: Humanists UK
Organization Description: Humanists UK is the operating name of the British Humanist Association. We are a charitable company (no. 228781), formed in 1896 and incorporated in 1928, and registered in England and Wales. Our governing document is our Articles of Association, which can be viewed here.
Last year the Church of England spent over £7 million on projects to evangelise children and young people through state schools. That’s according to the most recent Annual Report of the Church Commissioners for England. The report from the Commissioners, the charity overseeing how national Church of England funds are spent, details how funding through its Diocesan Investment Programme has been directed towards increasing youth ministers and ‘discipleship pathways’ in schools.
Of the funding £3.3m was given to Guildford diocese to ‘place youth ministers in three Church of England secondary schools and one other state secondary school’, £2.8m went to Manchester ‘to reach more schools, children, young people and their families across Bolton deanery’, and £1.2m was provided to Portsmouth to ‘create new Christian communities in seven schools’.
This investment follows a 2023 report from the Church of England which set out its vision to ‘double the number of children and young people who are active Christian disciples by 2030’.
Humanists UK’s Education Campaigns Manager Lewis Young said:
‘This latest report from the Church Commissioners further exposes the Church of England’s agenda to evangelise young people through the state school system.
‘Schools should be inclusive of all students, and provide young people with a balanced and comprehensive education that enables them to think critically and make their own choices about their beliefs. They should not be used to bolster church numbers or convert people to a particular faith.’
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
Read more about our work on faith schools.
Read the Church Commissioners report.
Read about the Church of England’s plans to use schools to ‘double the number of disciples’.
Add your name to stop evangelism in schools.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 120,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.
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