THE BISHOP of Blackburn Julian Henderson has announced plans for a string of events across Lancashire to put flesh on the bones of his 12-year plan to revive the Church of England in the county.

In October 2014 he announced ‘Vision 2026’ to tackle dwindling congregations and attract more young people into the Christian faith.

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Having spent a year in charge of the Blackburn diocese, which covers Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, Bishop Julian said at the time: “I am convinced that we need to embark on radical change.

“We really need to reinvent ourselves for the 21st century.

“Anything less will leave us to wither away rather like the once mighty Lancashire cotton industry.”

His vision called for heavy investment in youth groups, flexible patterns of worship with new service patterns and planting new congregations.

It suggests the Diocese should ‘unashamedly seek to bring others to faith in Christ’ and foster closer integration between different churches.

Now Bishop Julian has revealed a series of events in the next year including: n a call to prayer at six different venues across Lancashire in October this year including Tuesday, October 6, at St Leonard’s Church, Padiham, and Thursday, October 15, at Christ Church, Blackburn; n a gathering of 2,000 church leaders at The Guild Hall in Preston in May 2016; n a four-day mission weekend in September 2016 involving parishes across Lancashire and all the bishops from the north of England, and led by the Archbishop of York John Sentamu.

Bishop Julian announced the details to around 140 Lancashire clergy at a recent study day supported by Bishop of Burnley Philip North.

He has also now written to all clergy and parishes to encourage their involvement. in his vision.

The programme was signed off by the Diocesan Synod in March this year.

It pledges the Diocese to ‘plant’ 50 new congregations by 2026.

Bishop Julian said: “These are exciting times for the Church in Lancashire.

“Prayer will be at the heart of everything we do, but practical action will also be the key to our growth strategy.

“We are praying that we will see real growth in the region over the next 10 years, with a deep renewal of our life in the existing church and then with new congregations and church plants.”