Dan Hitchens suggests that those churches that stick closest to the liturgy and offer ‘full fat’ faith are most likely to grow. Those trimming faith to fit with culture tend to shrink.
“Even the Church of England’s 2021 paper GS 2222 acknowledged (para. 35) that “Anecdotal evidence from Wales suggests a super-parish type model has not worked well.” It added “but there is an absence of hard data.” Where is there any empirical evidence that mega-parishes are more viable and sustainable than the local parish system?”
“The 2021 Governance Review Group report recommended “a new piece of work to explore the reform of the General Synod and Synodical government”. Even if reform is what it takes, I long for us to move away from decisions behind closed doors — for the Synod to be able to discern openly together the common will for the Church as we look to the future. Then we can all agree to put our money where our mouth is rather than find that money has already been promised, and our part as elected representatives is merely to welcome it, whether we want to or not.”
“Much recent C of E decline appears driven by a culture at the centre deficient in evidence-based decision-making. The result is that, perversely, parishes are neglected. “Following the money” (as…
Harvest allows countryside communities a big moment of celebration. It is well deserved. The underappreciated rural church pulls its weight in terms of percentage attendance. On an average Sunday, 40…
James Burnell-Nugent suggests that the MPM review does nothing to restore trust with the parishes and should be sent back to be reworked. None of the review group’s suggestions to…
“[Priests] are good, giving people, and they need to be properly paid and they need to be properly housed because they are the bedrock of our Christian faith. They are the people that are going around talking to parishioners, and they can learn a great deal of what is actually needed by the man in the street. Unfortunately, the Church of England is reducing their number and of course in turn that is going to reduce the churches, and they will be sold. So it is something that really needs to be supported.”