Parish Share is an essential support for mission and ministry in our Diocese.

Generous sharing and mutuality in the Body of Christ

The way we pay for our clergy is called Parish Share, and it is vitally important for every parish and congregation in our diocese. Parish Share is a mutual sharing of our financial resources between wealthier and poorer parishes that quite simply makes Anglican ministry and mission possible in the Diocese of Liverpool.

This is more important than ever – fifty years ago around three-quarters of the cost of Anglican clergy was met by the Church Commissioners in London. Today much the same proportion is met by the faithful folk in church on Sunday.

Parish Share is not about our buildings; it is not even about our bishops. Parish Share funds the lion’s share of the cost of our parish clergy as they serve in our parishes; the rest comes from wealthier dioceses who share their resources with us.

Parish Share is deeply rooted in the biblical principle of generous sharing and mutuality in the Body of Christ. St Paul spent a good part of his apostolic ministry organising a financial collection from the gentile churches for the impoverished church in Jerusalem. No less for us, Parish Share is a tangible expression of our corporate life and mutual interdependence.

Parish Share covers our missional leadership, most of the costs of our clergy’s pay, pension, housing and training, as well as some Reader training and support for our church schools. Without Parish Share, we would not be able to sustain the mission and ministry of the majority of parishes in our Diocese.

The commitment of our parishes to playing their part generously in mutual support of ministry and mission across the Diocese is second to none. Thank you.

Transparency and fairness around Parish Share are important, as is the need to support parishes in meeting their Share allocations.

The downloads on this page show the latest allocations for parishes, plus information about how to share is calculated and how we are working to sustain Parish Share and support parishes.

Parish Share Payment Plans

Liverpool has a Parish Share collection rate of around 98%, which is the envy of many other dioceses.

However, a single percentage fall in the total Parish Share collection rate equates approximately to the cost of two stipendiary clergy posts. It is vital therefore that we maintain our historic high collection rates and reverse any decreasing trend in Parish Share payments.

Our Diocesan Synod courageously addressed this issue in 2011, committing the Diocese to support those in genuine difficulty whilst ensuring the maximum level of share is contributed. Synod expects churches that go into long-term Parish Share arrears (more than three months), to produce a Parish Share Payment Plan.

A Guide to Parish Share

For details of parish contributions and deanery totals, please see ‘Your Parish Share Assessments’ below.

Your Parish Share Assessments