Looking ahead: a future rooted in hope and action
2025 marks 40 years since the publication of ‘Faith in the City’, a landmark report, rooted in the lived experience of ‘Urban Priority Areas’ commissioned by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Robert Runcie. It highlighted the growing numbers of people being excluded due to poverty and lack of opportunity. One of its key recommendations was the creation of Church Urban Fund to strengthen the Church’s presence and Christian witness in urban and deprived areas.
This anniversary is not just a moment to reflect, it is a call to recommit. Throughout 2025, CUF will renew its dedication to resourcing, strengthening, and empowering churches, ensuring they continue to be places of hope and transformation. In collaboration with partner organisations, we will commemorate this milestone while also critically assessing the changes of the past 40 years and discerning the Church’s role in the years ahead.
Equipping churches and leaders
One of ‘Faith in the City’s’ key recommendations was the training of clergy and lay leaders to serve in urban parishes, and fostering ministry partnerships. Responding to this, CUF welcomes its first Academy cohort in 2025 — a dedicated space for clergy and lay leaders to explore the distinctiveness of urban ministry. This initiative will provide practical support, training, and a collaborative environment to help churches flourish in their communities.
A core part of this work will be reinforcing the role of churches as community hubs — not only as places of worship but as key providers of social support. We will continue to strengthen engagement with local authorities, health services, and other agencies, ensuring churches are equipped to work in partnership to meet local needs effectively. Equally, we will encourage these organisations to better understand the impact faith groups have in their communities and how they can work together for positive change.
A new strategy for the future
As we approach CUF’s own 40th anniversary in 2027, we will set out a new vision and strategy to guide our mission in the years ahead. Developed through extensive listening and consultation, this strategy will outline our priorities for supporting churches and communities in tackling poverty together. It will also establish a clear framework of values, ensuring our work remains rooted in partnership, faith in action, and a commitment to lasting social change.
The past 40 years have shown us that real transformation happens when communities, churches, and organisations come together with a shared purpose. As we move forward, CUF remains steadfast in its mission: walking alongside churches and communities, equipping them to change lives, and working towards a future where no one is left behind.
