The Church of England's Bishop of Reading, the Right Rev Stephen Cottrell, said the church must shed its middle class "Marks & Spencer" image and become more like "Aldi", welcoming to the masses. "Even today I meet people who think you have to be highly educated or suited and booted to be a person who goes to church. That's so frustrating," he was cited saying by The Times.
"How did it come to this, that we have become known as just the Marks & Spencer option when in our heart of hearts we know that Jesus would just as likely be in the queue at Asda (a British retail chain) or Aldi?
"Jesus got us started with church simply. Like this: sitting us down in groups on the grass and telling simple stories - not simplistic, but certainly not complicated. All his first disciples were down to earth people who wanted to know what life was all about.
"I wish I could take everyone round our churches in my area. Places of warmth and honesty. Sanctuaries of deep conversation, of tears and laughter. Not a hobby but a way of life."
Churches in Britain are preparing for a "Back to Church Sunday" next weekend, with parishioners having been encouraged to extend personal invitations to their friends.
The Times report added that churches also advertised for the first time on radio with 40 second rap poem that counsels: "You might have left for so many reasons, but am I wrong to sense that now's the season, to stop, turn around, walk back? Don't look to make no airs and graces. Faked up smiles and masked up faces. No need to make no innovation. Please accept this as your invitation."
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