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Churches and other faith groups are finding community planning authorities are losing interest in having them as part of a developing neighbourhood. Designated church sites in land-use plans are quickly being set aside. Significant restrictions are being placed on where faith communities may develop alternative meeting places. Development charges are being imposed on new church developments and the current property-tax exemption on places of worship is being questioned. The value that faith groups add to the life and wellbeing of communities - in both tangible and intangible forms - is not well understood.
Raising the Line of Sight is an ongoing CCDL research project designed to deepen the awareness of church and community leaders about the contribution made by faith groups to the health and welfare of communities. The research includes 1) identifying ways to better articulate the contribution faith groups make to social capital, 2) shaping congregational assessment tools to help local churches measure their contribution to the community, and 3) discovering ways to encourage congregations to understand and honour the 'social contract' between them and the wider society in which they live.
For more details, contact Ron Ewart at ron@tucc.ca or at 905-771-5124 ext 29
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