Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Parish Ministry

Thursday 16 November 2023 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Church Commissioners are distributing 1.2 billion between 2023 and 2025 to support mission and ministry, a 30% increase from the previous period.
  • The Church hierarchy aims to reduce administrative burdens on clergy to enable more community interaction and spreading of the gospel.
  • Sharon Newcombe of Pilton is thanked for her over 51 years of service to her local church and community.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nicholas Fletcher
Religion & Faith
Context

The Church of England faces challenges in supporting its parish ministry, and there is a need to provide financial assistance and reduce administrative burdens.

Question

What steps the Church of England is taking to support its parish ministry. The Church Commissioners are distributing £1.2 billion between 2023 and 2025 to support our mission and ministry. This is a 30% increase on the previous three-year period, and a significant share of that funding will be distributed through dioceses to strengthen our parishes.

Answer from Andrew Selous

Parish ministry is at the very heart of the Church's mission. The Church Commissioners are distributing £1.2 billion between 2023 and 2025 to support our mission and ministry. This is a 30% increase on the previous three-year period, and a significant share of that funding will be distributed through dioceses to strengthen our parishes.

Answered
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Q2 Nicholas Fletcher
Religion & Faith
Context

Clergy in the Church of England face significant administrative tasks which detract from their ability to interact with parishioners and spread the gospel.

Question

What can the Church hierarchy do to remove administrative burdens from the clergy, so they can spend more time in their community spreading the best message ever told: the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Answer from Andrew Selous

I think we all recognise that, in any position of public responsibility, there comes a need for some administrative work, but I very much agree with my hon. Friend that we should be freeing up our clergy and parish staff as much as possible to interact with their parishioners and to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific actions or commitments to reduce administrative burdens were not provided

How: I Think We All Recognise That, In Any Position Of Public Responsibility, There Comes A Need For Some Administrative Work

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Q3 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Religion & Faith
Context

Lincoln is predominantly a rural diocese where many clergy serve multiple parishes, leading to concerns about the availability of clergy in these areas.

Question

Last Saturday I was privileged to attend the enthronement of the new Bishop of Lincoln, at which there was a vast array of clergy in all their finery. It was a very grand occasion. Lincoln is a predominantly rural diocese and many of the clergy serve five, six or more parishes. Can my hon. Friend reassure me that the Church will focus on providing more clergy to rural areas?

Answer from Andrew Selous

I am delighted that my hon. Friend was able to attend the consecration of the new Bishop of Lincoln. Consecrations are, indeed, very splendid affairs. My hon. Friend is completely right that the beating heart of the Church of England is what goes on in the parishes. Rural areas really matter, as does every part of the country. I assure him that we will not forget rural areas, and I recognise the problems of large benefices.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific commitments or actions to provide more clergy for rural areas were not provided

How: I Am Delighted That My Hon. Friend Was Able To Attend The Consecration Of The New Bishop Of Lincoln

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Q4 Selaine Saxby
Religion & Faith
Context

St Augustine's church in Heanton Punchardon is without a rector, but Sharon Newcombe has been providing service to the church through singing in the choir for over 51 years.

Question

We also have rural churches in North Devon, and St Augustine's church in Heanton Punchardon is without a rector. Will my hon. Friend join me in recognising and congratulating Sharon Newcombe of Pilton on the service she has provided to that church, where she has sung in the choir for over 51 years?

Answer from Andrew Selous

I am sure the whole House will join me in thanking Sharon Newcombe for her fantastic service to her local church and local community. Fifty-one years' service to her local church is extremely impressive, and we are very grateful to her.

Answered
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