Back in 1943, at the request of the Church Assembly, Archbishop William Temple set up a commission under the Bishop of Rochester to “survey the whole problem of modern evangelism”. Our round table, set in the context of Archbishop Welby’s resignation, was entitled “Towards the Conversion of the Church of England by the Rest of England”. A significant theme to emerge from the round table was that of identity. Professor Grace Davie, reflecting in a blog on Professor Woodhead’s response, proposes the advantages of a weak “Established” Church. Dr Chris Baker is William Temple Professor of Religion, Belief and Public Life at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Director of Research at the William Temple Foundation.

Source: The Times January 09, 2026 00:14 UTC