The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church has said that churches
need to change if they are to reverse the decline in religious
affiliation in Scotland.
Bishop David Chillingworth was responding to the latest figures from
the 2011 Census, which revealed that in Scotland, 54% of people identify
themselves as Christian, a decrease of 11% since 2001.
At the same time, the number identifying themselves as atheist has risen by 9% over the last 10 years to 37% today.
"The figures for religious affiliation in Scotland are a significant
challenge for churches. Nominal membership of traditional churches is
swiftly changing into 'no religion'," said Bishop Chillingworth.
"The reasons are clear. Traditional patterns of church life have
difficulty attracting people in a mobile, fast-changing and increasingly
sophisticated society. Congregations are communities of affection which
gather in time-hallowed buildings and they find change challenging."
However, he went on to say that all was "far from lost" for Scottish
churches, with a majority of Scots still identifying themselves as
Christian.
He suggested churches needed to be more open and creative, and see the present situation as a "mission opportunity".
"Rising levels of interest in spirituality - evidenced by growing
interest in pilgrimage, prayer and other faith-related activity - show
that many people are searching for depth and meaning in their lives," he
said.
"Many are open to exploring discipleship even if they are unlikely to become church members in the traditional sense.
"Churches need to change and I welcome that. We need to become more
creative and flexible. We need to think less about surviving and more
about thriving.
"We need to help people to develop their experience of the spiritual.
And we need to learn to work together in mission to this new kind of
society."