The landscape has changed.  Ten years ago, even five years ago, as we led up to the General Election there was widespread ignorance regarding the work of churches within their communities.  Government lacked the vernacular to speak of the role of faith, there was no level playing field and explicit faith ethos’  widely equated to discrimination against the organization.

The landscape has changed.  The Faithworks Charter has opened doors for Christian organizations who want to hold on to their distinctive Christian Identity and still work in meaningful partnership with local and national government to deliver services to communities.    The Campaign that the Faithworks Movement was birthed with, providing a 75,000 strong voice from faith communities  calling on government to recognise their work and create a level playing field has done its work.  The landscape has changed.

I am confident that there is an open door ahead of us.  The country may be in crisis, but all 3 Party leaders in their interviews with Steve Chalke, launched today on radio 4, have indicated their intention to partner with local churches and Christian projects in the work towards recovery.   Our audience with Nick Clegg, David Cameron and Gordon Brown has  galvanized my observations, that now, as never before,  politicians have a richer understanding of the contribution of faith groups , and the fear of engaging with faith groups to deliver services has diminished.  In this I draw hope.

In the minds of our political party leaders there is little doubt, our history is rich.  Rich in initiatives that have combated poverty, pioneered health care and extended education to those unable to afford it.  But riches in history will not make us flourish in 2010 and beyond.   We will be judged by this generation on our response to societies felt needs in the here and now.  And from the assertions of the Party Leaders it will not be the prejudice of government that will stand in our way.  The gauntlet has been laid down by all three parties –‘tell us how you want to contribute’, they are saying, ‘ we want to work with you.’

Nick Clegg told Steve Chalke that “Whitehall cannot.. and should not do everything”  David Cameron spoke of the need for a big society not a big state.   My hunch is that we are in a time where both are needed, a big enough state to protect and provide for those who are vulnerable or whose worlds have fallen apart in the economic crisis, but a big society who own the recovery together.  The church, I propose, has a role in both.  A voice to government that helps shape what the state looks like, what its priorities are, how it delivers its activity, and a vehicle spearheading the big society, providing a theology of engagement, opportunities for involvement, and a commitment to the local community that endures beyond a political term, a commitment that is embedded, localized and relevant.

And I am heartened that all three Party Leaders have at least indicated their agreement. Nick Clegg declared “We want to work in Partnership with those who want to put something back into the community” and spoke fluently of how he has experienced churches playing this role.  Cameron espoused that we should celebrate faith based organisations and welcome them to do even more to help build the big society; and Gordon Brown recognizing that faith is something that goes way beyond markets in motivating people claimed that alongside government Britain needs the contribution of the thousands of individuals, who motivated by their faith, serve their local communities.

So, Faith has been recognized as valuable by our political leaders, not just its outputs.  This is a springboard from which we must find the momentum and creativity to bring new ideas to the table, and forge new partnerships that help build healthy and sustainable communities

To watch the interviews visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfeownbNzHI

Nancy Doyle is the Faithworks Team Leader