Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Parish Life: Small Rural Communities

Thursday 15 June 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Church of England is taking steps to support parish life in small, rural communities.
  • Church Commissioners will distribute 1.2 billion between 2023 and 2025 for support.
  • Non-stipendiary ministry or self-supporting ministry could be viable options for cost-effective provision.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Religion & Faith
Context

The question is prompted by concerns about the impact of minister losses on small, rural communities and the need for increased support.

Question

What steps the Church of England is taking to support parish life in small, rural communities. The loss of ministers in these areas affects their spiritual and community life deeply. There are significant challenges due to declining congregations and financial pressures.

Answer from Andrew Selous

Parish ministry is a cornerstone of the Church's mission, with a higher proportion of ministers per head of population in rural areas compared to urban ones. The Church Commissioners will distribute £1.2 billion between 2023 and 2025 for support, marking a 30% increase from the previous period. This funding aims to revitalise parish ministry.

Answered
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Q2 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Religion & Faith
Context

The question stems from the concern over the preservation and continued functionality of medieval churches in rural Lincolnshire, facing increasing diocesan bureaucracy.

Question

Rural Lincolnshire has arguably the finest collection of medieval churches in the country. Many are open through events like the West Lindsey Churches Festival. Does my hon. Friend agree that the glory of the Church of England is its parish structure? Are there any specific points made by the Save the Parish campaign regarding keeping parish churches open and functioning despite increasing diocesan bureaucracy?

Answer from Andrew Selous

I fully understand my right hon. Friend's concerns, which are widely shared in the House due to the significant work done in local parishes. For cost-effective provision of a focal minister, non-stipendiary ministry or self-supporting ministry might be viable options; the Caleb stream could also provide support. Additionally, Bishop of Exeter's 'How Village Churches Thrive: a practical guide' offers guidance for communities seeking to maintain their parish churches.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not specifically address the Save the Parish campaign's priorities or bureaucratic challenges.

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