You would be forgiven for thinking that churches had, at best, joined the rare breeds society from the way they are often presented in the media.

But there are churches in St Albans and Harpenden that are vibrant communities of real faith, making a difference to people’s lives.

Here are four churches I have visited in just the past two weeks outside this immediate area.

Church A is part of the Church of England and sees over 1,000 people coming through their doors every Sunday in seven different congregations on two sites.

They have specialist staff for families, students, teens and the deprived area they serve including the homeless.

Church B is a Baptist Church in an old Scottish town which has a volunteers team of over 300.

They are addressing social and ethical issues in society today. Recent output includes statements on three-parent embryos, euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Church C is in a Midlands city and is aligned with one of the new streams of churches which have formed in recent years.

I felt distinctly elderly here because most of the staff and their congregations are no more than half my age.

In contrast, Church D is a traditional church in a Northern city with robed choir and a clear civic presence. Yet their congregations have tripled in size in the past four years.

So don’t write the Church off yet!

Why not find a lively one here and see what the Christian faith is all about?

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