The Church in Jamaica still offers significant support to the wider community, despite criticisms that it has become more of a hindrance than help to social development, argues Reverend Peter Garth, president of the Jamaica Association of Evangelicals.

Garth was addressing a workshop on 'The role of the church: Hindrance or help?' during the third biennial Jamaican Diaspora Conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre, in downtown Kingston, last Tuesday.

He said the Church is in every "nook and cranny" of the island and its community outreach has been impressive.

"One of the biggest problems is that churches do not publicise their social outreach activities enough," said Garth. He said this was because of a long-standing policy, but Garth believes it is now time for the Church to publicise much of its outreach activities for national development.

Engage in dialogue

Turning to crime and violence, one of Jamaica's biggest problems, Garth said the Church has been trying to reach out to individuals in various garrison communities.

"Ministers constantly risk much to engage in dialogue with community leaders, even when it is not safe to be functioning in these areas," he said.

Garth further said, despite the Church's involvement, there would always be those who speak against its work and make claims that it is too silent.

"The Church has never been silent. We are silent when we do not say what people want to hear," said Garth.