An Oxford church has broken with tradition and moved its Sunday service to the afternoon -- so worshippers can play sport in the morning.

Church leader Andrew Myatt with his sons Oxford Vineyard Church, which meets at Magdalen College School, attracts up to 300 people each week. Church leader Andrew Myatt said: "We are finding people have children who want to play sport on a Sunday morning.

"We did not want them to resent coming to church so this gives them the best of both worlds."

Mr Myatt's four rugby playing sons were delighted with the change.

Harry, 12, said: "I think it's a pretty good decision. It means I can play rugby and go to church and now my dad can watch me play too.

"I like rugby because it's muddy and fun. But I like church too and have a lot of friends there."

The decision to move the service was made in January by a team of church leaders and the first afternoon service was held on Sunday.

Assistant leader Paul Granger said: "It was very relaxed and chilled out. Sport should not come before God but it could come before church."

The Vineyard hopes it will attract people who do not usually go to church and benefit existing members who go away at weekends.

There was some opposition, but Mr Granger said 95 per cent of the congregation supported the new time.

Sports clubs in Oxford admit the time clash could be problem. Kay Honner, of Oxford Rugby Club, said: "We have to be very careful to try not to schedule fixtures on big occasions like Remembrance Day. Our attendance can go down by half.

"Parents sit at the back of church so they can leave halfway through to take their children to rugby."

The Vineyard Church came to the UK from the United States in 1982 and it is now one of the fastest growing Christian denominations.

The Rev Richard Thomas, spokesman for Oxford Diocese, said: "Sport on Sunday mornings is a huge irritation as organisations are denying children their right to spiritual development.

"You have no choice if you are a member of a team which chooses to play on a Sunday morning. What is wrong with playing sport on a Sunday afternoon?"

The Oratory Roman Catholic Church in Woodstock Road, Oxford, holds several services throughout the day. Father Richard Duffield said: "It seems to be part of a growing secularisation of our society -- sports, shopping and other activities are beginning to fill Sunday mornings."

St Aldate's Church in Oxford welcomed the idea. Children's pastor Rachel Smith said: "We don't need to stick to age-old traditions for the sake of it."

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