In so many ways, the Church was already the Big Society, the Archbishop of Canterbury told a county audience.

Speaking to a packed congregation at Telford’s International Centre on Saturday, the Right Reverend Dr Rowan Williams said that the question should not be whether the Church would cope with the Government’s vision, rather “will the Big Society cope with the Church”?

The archbishop was hosted by Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Reverend Jonathan Gledhill, who told about 1,500 church members they were part of the largest movement in human history.

He also said: “The archbishop’s role is international as leader of the Anglican Communion, local as diocesan Bishop of Canterbury and national as Primate of England. His leadership is a gift to the nation and to the Church, so we’re delighted that he has found it possible to spend so much time with us during this extended visit.”

During the morning, Dr Williams addressed the topic of heresy and answered questions submitted by his audience, ranging from religious education in schools to which he pointed to new church secondary schools, to long-term same sex relationships and the current thorny issue of women bishops.

He also referred to the blazing electronic flames flanking him and said with a smile: “Though that may be where some people might like me to be.”

The archbishop also made time to spend with youngsters who had their own programme called Blaze which was led by Pulse Ministries, specially designed for supporting young people.

He also mingled at lunchtime, posing with visitors for photographs.

Both lay and clergy visitors applauded the day. Steve Garbett, from St Mary’s Church, Sheriffhales, said: “I was mightily impressed with the archbishop. He is very approachable and he spoke extremely well.”

The Bishop of Shrewsbury Mark Ryland introduced a series of messages from fellow bishops across the worldwide Anglican community and received the first pint of a new beer, Sticky Wicket, created after a Lichfield diocese cricket team won a national championship with the bishop named man of the match.

The day was a mix of fun, face painting and fellowship and was listed as the keynote event mid way through his four-day visit to the Lichfield diocese, the longest diocesan pastoral visit made by the archbishop.

In the afternoon, an all-age worship with music and songs was addressed by Dr Williams before he was whisked to Shrewsbury to boost the new Ark project for the homeless and vulnerable.

By Shirley Tart