Investigating the Invisible Church

Abstract

Changes in the church within the Highlands and Islands in recent years have generally been described in terms of decline. New data provided by telephone interviews with a random sample of 2,698 people show that, while many have disaffiliated from congregational expressions of church, this should not be interpreted as deconversion. These interview data also indicate a population of Christians who have never been affiliated with a congregation. Further new data, provided by 423 Christians who are not affiliated with a congregation and who completed a 76-item survey, provide insights into their faith, lifestyle, and their experiences and perceptions of church. These insights challenge some prevailing views of the nature of the Christian community in this rural region, highlight valuable areas of learning and suggest appropriate responses by local congregations and those with a concern for the wider Christian community.