THE former Archbishop of Canterbury's criticism of "rave in the nave" services has left the Church of England divided.

Lord Runcie attacked modern services and appealed to the church to hold on to traditional forms of worship.

He warned against turning worship into "something fashionable."

But surely fashion is another word for popular.

And if any religion is in need of an urgent boost in popularity, it is the Church of England.

Services in some churches have changed little in the last 150 years.

That is fine if the congregation like it that way.

But in many churches throughout the land rows of empty pews suggest that, for many, that type of service is no longer relevant.

If people see the "happy clappy" type of service as the right way to worship their God, what is wrong with that?

Lord Runcie's comments came hard on the heels of news of the biggest fall in church attendance for 20 years.

But the dioceses which bucked the trend are Bradford and London, both pioneers of the sort of service Lord Runcie condemned.

Churches which have changed their style of service have not altered the message.

That remains the same.

It is the presentation that has been adapted to appeal to young people.

Modern services are not appropriate for every congregation.

But they must be right for the churches which have increased their congregations by recognising the right to rave.

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