Well it’s become clear that even a former Prime Minister can be accused of child abuse. According to Wiltshire police, Sir Edward Heath would have been questioned over sex abuse claims if he was alive when they came to light. Sadly, we will never know the truth, and whatever happens in the days to come, his reputation is surely tarnished forever.

As I listened to this sad announcement, I found myself going back in time to the Sunday morning when I stood outside a local supermarket interviewing young and old as they hurried about their ‘non church’ business. It must have been at least 12 years ago, but I learned much about our de-churched culture that day. In fact, the responses I received when I asked people what came to mind when they thought of church simply staggered me. It soon became evident that a lot of non Christians readily associate the church with child abuse.

I was slightly bemused then, to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury claim recently that the church had a better track record than the BBC. And I didn’t find it surprising to hear the BBC’s religious affairs correspondent suggest that it is only those without sin who have the right to cast the first stone. In fact, I was tempted to add ‘And self praise is no recommendation either!’

To be fair, the Archbishop’s observation was only a ‘small part’ of what he had to say, but it did pose a very important question viz. ‘What sort of credibility does the Christian Church enjoy in twenty first Britain.’ And this is very important because the research shows that ‘the single biggest factor in determining whether or not people come to church resides in what they think of church.’ Martin Robinson summed it up well when he said: “It is much more likely that people will respond favourably to the witness of the church when the church is well-regarded. The way in which we live and bear witness significantly influences the view that the wider community has of the church.”

Robinson’s observations ring true in my experience. Whether we’re sharing the Christian Gospel or addressing pressing social issues like child abuse, freedom of speech or unity, we must be seen to be speaking with integrity. This is why I believe it is crucially important to know what non church goers really think of us.

Thankfully, many churches seem to have become increasingly aware of this and initiatives such as foodbanks, debt counselling centres and Street Pastor teams are helping to bridge the credibility gap. We have certainly seen this in Wales where there has been a growing understanding that the church needs to actively engage with the non-Christian society. It’s a welcome development given our recent history in which many churches tended become ‘holy huddle’ rather than agents of transformation.

There is still a long way to go of course. Only three weeks ago, a local politician told me that she had no interest in church because it was ‘dreary’ and ‘full of people who tell others how to live, but are no different themselves.’ But unlike Sir Edward Heath, the church is not dead and is therefore able to do something about it. I live in hope then, and I am looking forward to the day when the church is held in high esteem once again. It happened in the 19th century and so it could easily happen again. It all depends on how well the church rise to the challenge.

Rob James is a Baptist Pastor broadcaster and writer who currently operates as a church and media consultant for the Evangelical Alliance Wales. He is available for preaching and teaching throughout Wales and can be contacted at [email protected]