God is Black
Writer – Tony Snow

At the end of the Second World War, half the population of Britain attended church services, 60 years on the figure is one in ten.

In the Church of England the problem is acute. It has 16,000 places of worship and 1.75 million worshippers each month, an average just of 109 at each church. In contrast, Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), black evangelical church featured in the series boasts up to 10,000 active worshippers each week.

The relative popularity of other black church movements in Britain, such as the New Testament Church of God movement, demonstrates that the success of Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo is no fluke. The most recent census reveals that there is not a great difference between black and white people who describe themselves as Christians. In fact even though marginally more white people declared themselves to be religious, this is not reflected in the attendance figures.

One reason put forward for this decline in worshippers is the growth of secularism within Western culture. Bishop Dr Joe Aldred, Chair of the Council of Black Lead Churches in England argues that less people are prepared to allow the existence of God to go unchallenged and are seeking tangible evidence. Churches have had to adapt to address this. "They have had to take a colder more cerebral approach to worship, which is a very scientific approach. Black churches meanwhile tend to be more joyous, progressive and in additional they tend not to be hamstrung by the political trappings which affect the Church of England," he explains. "As the church of the state, it also has to be seen to be moving with the times by embracing values which society deems acceptable, but which are often are at odds with conservative teaching - such as the ordination of women priests and the acceptance of homosexuality."

The Church of England insists that it does not feel threatened by the growth of black Anglicanism and it dismisses the notion that its power base is being eroded. Do black churches simply market themselves more effectively? Marcia Dixon, who edits 'Soul Stirrings', the Gospel section of The Voice newspaper puts the difference down to attitude and passion. "Black churches offer lots of activities to engage young people - through choirs, music ministries and they engage young people by linking the activities of the church with people's daily lives in a manner which is relevant," she suggests. A criticism Marcia levels at the more established Anglican ministries is that at times they appear to be more interested in appeasing the 'right-on' lobby than reaching out to inspire the wider community.

In contrast, black evangelical ministries regularly launch 'crusades', which are proactive marketing campaigns to entice new worshippers. They unashamedly apply tried and tested business practice to 'sell' their message - putting advertisements on television, the radio and in the print media. "It is true to say that some pastors do live up to the stereotypes and flaunt their wealth. But this is not a problem - black Christians do not reject the material world. They are not frightened to use money and invest it. From the Church of England you get the impression that no one wants to touch money," Marcia adds.

Generating income is a clearly necessity for all churches. All too often Anglican churches close as congregations dwindle and they become uneconomical to run. The need for self-sufficiency is far more acute among black ministries. They do not have other churches within a parish to subsidise them, and cannot fall back on the accrued wealth of a grand institution such as the Church of England: a large portfolio of investments; and the largest single benefactor of Government grant aid for listed buildings in the United Kingdom.

At times religion can be an extremely hard sell but black ministries do seem to have found a hook - they market a better way of life. They have become very adept at conveying the message that adhering to Christian values will have a tangible positive impact on everyday life. In other words, invest in God and your life on earth will improve. If the position of the Church of England is not to be eroded than it must make some stark choices. Attempts to appease both liberal and conservative wings, have led to an uneasy truce. It must either fully embrace one or other ideology.

it must either put clear water between itself and fundamental Anglicanism - which by the standards of modern society is often regarded as sexist, homophobic and antiquated, and by proactive outreach it can hope to attract a new breed of 'tolerant' worshippers.

Alternatively by ditching modernisation, it can fully embrace evangelical Anglicanism and bring itself back into line with the Anglican Church at large. This 'Alpha' model, is the tried and tested practice of the black churches.

It is also worth noting that among the five dioceses within the Church of England to show a rise in the congregation is Southwark, in south London which contains one of the most densely populated black areas in Britain.