More than 5,000 churches have opened in Britain in the last 30 years, and there are many examples of "substantial and sustained church growth" across the country, according to new research.Church Growth in Britain: 1980 to the Present, found substantial growth among black, Asian and ethnic minority Churches, and among Churches that are less than 100 years old, such as those in the Pentecostal movement.
High levels of immigration along with an emphasis on evangelisation were given as two of the major causes behind the growth.
The book-length work is a collection of studies by academics into areas of pronounced church growth.
The biggest increase has been in the Anglican Diocese of London, which has seen a 71 per cent rise in congregations since 1990.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, has endorsed the research saying it challenges "the widespread assumption" that Christianity is "suffering terminal decline."
The Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, has endorsed the research saying it challenges "the widespread assumption" that Christianity is "suffering terminal decline."