Is the parish priest an endangered species?

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"What is going on?" Church treasurer resigns in protest at Diocese of Truro’s MMF spending plans

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John Kennaugh, Treasurer of a church in east Cornwall,  has asked to be replaced . He has written this article and is happy for it to be widely shared . "I think what is happening is morally wrong," he says.  He profoundly disagrees with the Diocese of Truro’s MMF policy and spending plans. John took on the job of Treasurer for his local church Parochial Church Council (PCC)  in 2024.  He explains:   "My local Church community is a wonderful example of what a Christian community should be and it is a privilege to be a part of it but what I discovered regarding the Mission and Ministry Fund (MMF) and the bureaucratic monstrosity the Church of England  has become has totally disillusioned me.  I have asked to be replaced having ...
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TEN WAYS TO RESIST PARISH REORGANISATION

This is a summary of advice from Save The Parish. It is written to offer help and support to Incumbents, Churchwardens, PCC Members, congregations and parish residents  who are presented with plans for pastoral reorganisation - as is currently proposed in Kerrier Deanery in west Cornwall ( click here to read about the background ).     Click here to read the updated Kerrier Deanery Plan . The key message: e ven if you’re feeling tired and exhausted by efforts to save your church from parish reorganisation, PCC mergers and Joint Councils , it is possible to fight back . The more energetically a pastoral reorganisation is resisted, the more likely the fight back is likely to succ eed.   It’s very important to record any consultation that takes place – and your objections.  If the diocese does not engage in proper process, that will be good grounds for objection.   Here are key ways to resist   Agree a position with your PCC . A united PCC is a ...
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Church of England finances: a 'shocking imbalance between parishes and "Head Office"'

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  Save The Parish's steering committee member Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent writes: You may find it helpful to know that we have just published Church of England financial data updated for 2023 on the Save The Parish website .  This is the most recent financial data that has become available through the annual publishing of accounts.  Our methodology has been shared with and is supported by the central Church of England finance staff.   The Finances of the Church of England as a whole   The accounts reveal a shocking imbalance between Parishes and ‘Head Office’. The Parishes have very few assets but, mainly thanks to parishioners’ generosity, they pull in a colossal annual income of £1bn The Parishes paid £315m (in 2023) to their Dioceses through the Parish Share scheme The Dioceses spent £348m on parish ministry (also 2023) and £47m on clergy pension contributions, making £395m in total. The difference between parish share ‘income’ and p...
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