SIR Cliff Richard may be getting on a bit but he's hardly most people's idea of Moses.

And when it comes to the singer's campaign for a set of ten trendy new church commandments, the message from Oxfordshire is clear: keep taking the tablets, Cliff.

The musical knight is spearheading a new bid to boost the size of congregations. But it would seem for once the Peter Pan of Pop finally has a big flop on his hands.

Reactions vary from the lukewarm to those who fear the campaign could do more than good, by exposing serious flaws in the church.

Sir Cliff launched the campaign as unofficial patron of the Fanfare for a New Generation promotion, in the hope of doubling the size of congregations by the Millennium.

He wants services to be slicker, stimulating and more welcoming. Fanfare aims to draw in the millions of people who say they believe in Christian values but do not go to church.

The Rev Stephen Pix, Vicar of St Michael at the Northgate, Oxford, said: "I think one has to realise that we live in a consumer society and one has to look at it from that point of view." The Fanfare promoters will send handbooks, videos and newsletters to all Christian churches advising them on how to renovate their image and attract a larger and younger congregation.

Leading Oxford ministers are also worried about the new mission statements, although the idea is backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Right Rev Richard Harries, thought the commandments rather unnecessary, with Oxford Diocese able to point to improving church attendances.

The Rev Richard Thomas, a spokesman for the Bishop, said: "Anything which will improve the quality of worship will be welcomed. The congregations in the Diocese of Oxford have been growing, year on year, for the past seven years. Unlike many other dioceses, we are not in decline. We are actually in growth.

The Rev Simon Carver, minister at the New Road Baptist Church, Oxford, feared the commandments could lead to worship being made so simple the true message could get lost.

He said: "I think the purpose of the church is to help people get closer to God and if this does that, I am for it.

"I think you can always make things more welcoming and more friendly." Church rules for the Millennium 1. We will make you welcome

2. We will be family friendly

3. We will make sure you can hear clearly

4. We will be practical and relevant

5. We will help you explore answers to your deepest questions

6. We will offer you time to stop and think in a busy life

7. We will help you make sense of the Bible and who Jesus is

8. We will make sure your visit will be helpful but challenging

9. We will help you discover for yourself God's love, acceptance and forgiveness

10. We will offer you the chance to make a new start

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