A message from Save the Parish founder Marcus Walker
A disappointing vote but all is not lost.... Save the Parish founder Marcus Walker writes about last week's vote at the General Synod when a motion from the Bishops of Hereford, and Bath and Wells, to boost money available to dioceses for clergy posts was voted down. But as Marcus says - there are a number of very important straws in the wind to note. Nine bishops voted with the STP-aligned motion (and two abstained) - this is an increase from zero two years ago (even if 22 voted still lined up on the other side). He notes: " It is sad that 22 bishops are backing the central church model - where money left by our forebears to fund ministry is doled out in grants to shiny pet projects rather than maintaining boring old ministry in boring old parishes. But this is a campaign whose time has come and I expect an increasing number of people - bishops, clergy, and lay - to realise that this proposal is a life-saver for the local church. ...