As deaneries are finalising their decisions over the local payments so we can prepare the statements for 2025 we are urging all parishes to pay their Parish Share contributions in full as part of our threefold approach to improving finances across our diocese bringing together parish, diocese and national church support.
Over the next three weeks we will remind people of the principles of Parish Share its theological basis and missional impact alongside information about what it is and isn’t spent on. We hope that it will give parishes some context for those taking part in generous advent and looking to spend some time encouraging congregations to support giving in their churches.
We understand that Parish Share is the biggest single expenditure item for our parishes and this has been challenged by the impact of the Covid pandemic. Yet this missional giving is the vital support that enables us to have a Christian presence in every community including some of the most deprived in the country. We have a historic track record of generous giving through parish share which has seen the highest collection rates in any diocese. This is really important as it give confidence when we approach bodies such as SMMIB for investment into our diocese.
While we will be looking at the Parish Share system this will not happen until 2026 at the earliest so we will be looking for deaneries and parishes to work within the current system to support the missional giving in our diocese.
Bishop John said “Without the regular faithful paying of Parish Share we cannot support our ministers. I remain grateful to those who support the missional giving in our diocese, this biblically mandated approach remains a crucial way we can maintain a Christian presence in every community. Parish Share is founded on the biblical principle of mutual support and is vital financial support for the essential ministry in every parish in our diocese. We know that it is challenging but without it we will not be able to support a Christian presence in every community.”
