The Church has the potential to play a significant role in re-engaging people with democracy.  This process must start at street level – the level at which the parish church operates.  Democratisation, community participation and renewal of communities are inextricably linked by a common value – that of people being empowered to take control over their own lives. So to put it another way, strong democracy requires strong cohesive communities which are able to express and articulate their own sense of identity, value and purpose within wider society.

Fundamentally, we Christians believe that all people are created in the image and likeness of God. But what does this mean in practice?  We believe that we have the capacity to act through our free will in a way that shapes our own destiny. Our ability to think, reason, act and make choices, shapes the way that we co-exist as human beings. The challenge to our churches in today’s sectarian society is not to retract into some sort of Christian ghetto, but to be outward looking and acting, especially in the process of democratic renewal.

This must reach out to everyone and in some areas it will require a change in attitudes and behaviour from politicians, churches and local communities. The church is charged with having a prophetic voice – not always a way to gain popularity – which shows people and communities a way forward into a more just, fair and equitable society.

The 2010 General Election is an opportunity for the Christian churches to offer neutral, safe and open space to begin this process.