Given the continuing decline in church attendance and the closure of chapels, The Union of Welsh Independents (UWI) General Secretary Rev Dyfrig Rees challenged churches to “take innovative action to halt the potentially terminal decline” in this new decade. In his New Year’s Message, Rev Rees warned of the possibility that without taking risks, “Christianity will continue to die out in their (our) communities, until Wales becomes almost a wholly secular nation”.
“But the good news is that there are still many thousands of us believers and Christianity has renewed itself over the centuries when people showed courage and vision.” Rev Rees continued, exhorting them to attempt to emulate these visionary forerunners.