What impact is coronavirus having on churches and how will it change churchgoing in the future are questions being asked in a new survey from the National Churches Trust.
The online survey is open to any church in the UK and consists of 18 questions which take around 15 minutes to complete. The survey is open until 6pm on Monday 25 May 2020.
Eddie Tulasiewicz, Head of Communications for the National Churches Trust said:
"We urgently need information on the impact of COVID-19 to understand how churches are coping during the lockdown and to aid with future recovery plans. The information is also vital to find out whether digital worship means that church buildings will no longer be so important or, whether having a church building where people can meet for worship and to build community, will in fact be more important than ever after the cornavirus lockdown ends."
Questions in the survey include:
- Have new outreach or support services for local people been set up as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown?
- How many people from churches are volunteering with the NHS and social care as part of the COVID-19 response?
- Will churches become more or less important in the future as a result of COVID-19?
- What are people most looking forward to once the cornonavirus lockdown ends: religious services, companionship, being able to help people through volunteering or prayer, visiting churches to connect with history and heritage?
The survey can be completed online at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DXHRGYR