Church of England predicts there will be no growth in next 30 years

The Church of England has been losing members for quite some time and according to a new report that rate of decline may last longer than what most people would hope.

During the Church's General Synod, figures were presented detailing that the decline in churchgoers may last for 30 years - an entire generation.

According to a report by The Guardian, most of the C of E's members are already ageing, while most millenials and young people are not interested in organized religion.

"On all likely measures of success, given the demographics of the church, it is unlikely we will see a net growth in church membership within the next 30 years," said John Spence, the Church's finance chief. "I could have given you other facts, but I think you get the point."

In response to the gloomy news, the Church of England has launched a £72 million program that aims to inject life into the church's slow growth.

Entitled "renewal and reform," the program aims to modernize churches, especially in urban areas. As part of the plan, funds that are supposedly for struggling rural churches may be redirected.

The campaign would also increase the number of priests being recruited and trained annually to 600, which is double the number from previous years. 

Meanwhile, another C of E spokesman said that the gloomy projection in the next 30 years did not consider the results of the renewal and reform program.

Spokesman Arun Arora added that they will have to trust God and His Spirit, because it is He that empowers the Church.

Aside from the projection, Synod expressed concern about the UK Government's benefits sanctions, claiming that they often punish marginalized people. Synod heard how in one particular instance, someone was sanctioned because he attended a funeral instead of his benefits interview.

"The system is not just broken, but is cruel, even deadly," said Elliot Swattridge, a member of the Church of England's youth council.