A nervous church leadership seeks business models, writes Giles Fraser

"Borrowing their thinking from management consultants trying to revive ailing companies like Wilko and Pizza Hut, the leadership focuses on what the customer wants, sets sales targets, closes down underused outlets, and re-energises the sales team for greater, more frenetic activity," Rev Giles Fraser writes in Unherd. Once again, Kerrier Deanery in west Cornwall gets a mention (Rev Marcus Walker's article in last week's Spectator drew attention to Kerrier.)   

Rev Fraser continues:

 "The latest, and most ridiculous of these corporate reinventions of the Church is the idea that the clergy no longer has to work on Sundays – because other people are busy on that day. One deanery in Cornwall will have 23 churches, and only two full-time clergy. One of these “will work primarily in the community, looking for exciting opportunities to grow churches for people who have never been to church,” the area dean bubbled enthusiastically. He went on: “I’ve heard it has come as a bit of a shock that she won’t be working regularly on Sunday mornings.” But this is just another example of the “exciting opportunities” that await us as the Church is dismantled from within by those who are supposed to be protecting it."

Sadly it is hardly surprising that Kerrier Deanery's restructuring plan (known as On The Way) is attracting national attention. It appears - quite simply - unworkable. The newly appointed Rural Dean will oversee 23 churches - as Rev Fraser points out - with the help of a single pioneer ministery. However will this work?
 

Giles Fraser is a journalist, broadcaster and Vicar of St Anne's, Kew.