Churches flourish when ministers are in place, new report finds
Yet another report indicating the connection between a flourishing church and a minister in place - something that the Bishops of Truro and St Germans prefer to ignore as they push through with their divisive and unpopular plans for church re-organisation in Cornwall in the Diocese of Truro - known as On The Way . The latest development has been the decision in Kerrier Deanery to form a mega benefice of 23 churches under one rural dean. Section 5 of this report commissioned by the United Reformed Church (URC) stresses the critical importance of investing in leadership – not only for the flourishing of the church, but for the good of the whole community. "Churches are wellsprings of formal and informal community leadership, forming (and paying) community champions who take initiative and empower their neighbourhoods, building up ‘dignity’ and a sense of ‘purpose’ in individuals and groups."