News: Revitalisation proposals for churches in Brighton and Hove (2 April 2005)

Revitalisation proposals for churches in Brighton and Hove

Revitalisation of the Church in Brighton and Hove is at the heart of a new report produced by the Deaneries Pastoral Strategy Review Group.

Recommendations, which focus on revitalising God’s mission and making Jesus better known in Church of England parishes in the two deaneries of the largest city in the Chichester diocese, have been unveiled in the report Towards Revitalisation of the Church of England Deaneries of Brighton and Hove – the Next Steps, a copy of which has been sent to all parishes and other interested parties in the area this weekend.

The document follows on from the report Strengthening the Church for God’s Mission, launched in June 2003, which highlighted the many opportunities for mission and ministry across Brighton and Hove. The report has been prepared by the Brighton and Hove Pastoral Strategy Review Group under the chairmanship of the Archdeacon of Chichester, the Venerable Douglas McKittrick.

Communicating the richness and newness of the Gospel message and serving Christ in his call for reshaping and restructuring God’s Church in the 21st Century is at the heart of the proposals in the report, containing major suggestions and proposals affecting all 54 churches in the Brighton and Hove deaneries, stretching from Saltdean in the East to Shoreham in the West.

The original report was the culmination of many months of enquiry and work begun in June 2000. Following its publication all parishes were visited by representatives of the Pastoral Review Group, giving opportunities for discussion and clarification. Almost all parishes then submitted written responses to the recommendations, as did other concerned individuals and organisations. Members of the review group also met with English Heritage, Brighton and Hove City Council, ecumenical partners, and others.

“The Report provoked much discussion and, to quote many parishes, served as a wake-up call,” says Archdeacon Douglas in his foreword. “Reactions from several parishes have been extremely positive and the second round of consultations, plus the written submissions from parishes and letters received from a whole cross-section of Brighton and Hove life have, on the whole, been helpful and realisitic. A common theme was that to do nothing must not be an option.”

The upbeat report is realistic about the situation facing churches in the city, but insists that the future for the Church of England in Brighton and Hove need not be bleak, as long as parishes are willing to work together and grasp the exciting opportunities there are for growth.

Crucial factors identified as having a major impact on churches in the city and presenting the biggest challenge included falling numbers among congregations, the number of church buildings, the need for subsidy, reduction in clergy numbers, and the underlying need for revitalisation.

The 141-page report hopes that people reading it will not simply concentrate on those areas that interest and concern them, but recognise that it is something to be read as a whole. “Rather than see it as determining the ‘fate’ of a given church building, see it as commending what may well be the strategy to take the Church and God’s mission as a whole forward into new life and vibrancy in the 21st Century,” it says.

Behind the report is the belief that by responding positively to the whole document, parishes in Brighton and Hove might see increased attendance, more activities for young people, more involvement with local communities, a sharing of resources and growth in working together, and clear vision for outreach and mission.

Key points:

Collaborative groups. The idea of parishes working more closely together in areas around the deaneries is the key aspect of the report. Recommendations seek to find ways of working together in ministry both within parishes and between them. Collaborative means “co-labouring” — clergy and laity working together and making best use of particular gifts in specific areas. Eight “group ministries” are suggested across the two deaneries. It is hoped the group ministry approach will allow a wider sharing of pastoral care, specialist skills, and mutual support. Some parish boundary changes are also recommended.
Reduced clergy numbers. Many clergy are approaching retirement, and far fewer are coming forward to train for ordination. This constraint on stipendiary clergy will inevitably affect what churches can offer by way of ministry. The report recommends encouraging vocations, but also looking at other ministries, such as utilising gifted lay people, retired clergy, and NSMs (non-stipendiary clergy).
Finance. Many parishes in the two deaneries have not been able to cover their costs in full and receive subsidies from the diocese and from those parishes able to contribute above and beyond their own costs. The report recommends striving to reduce the high levels of subsidy and also inviting increased congregational giving where this can be achieved. During the consultation stage following publication of the first report, parishes have all been made aware of the need to review stewardship of resources and also where their money goes.
Ten churches recommended for “closure”. This is necessary to reduce the heavy burden of maintaining a large number of church buildings and increase imaginative use for wider community benefit, extending a Christian ministry and working in partnership with others. Some churches may find themselves having a mixed use. Other buildings may remain, not as places of worship but still used for the good of the city and its communities. Some churches currently have small congregations trying to maintain and improve buildings, which is clearly not ideal. Recommendations about the future of church buildings are never based solely on financial implications.
Churches under review. Eleven churches are described in this way. A review of their progress towards growth or improved financial health is recommended after defined periods of time.
Diminishing congregations. A national trend reflected locally. Only about 1.7% of the population of Brighton and Hove deaneries are members of our churches. However, the positive and faithful view is that churches CAN grow and be revitalised and the report recommends dealing with the issue as a matter of urgency.
Schools, colleges and universities. The report reinforces Church engagement with schools, colleges and universities. The role Church schools play in city life is recognised and valued (“the heart of the Church’s mission”). The important role of chaplains is underlined.
Church halls. It is recognised that many church halls are used extensively and provide much-needed community facilities. There is a desire to keep as many open and working as possible, even if an adjoining church may not itself survive.

Statement by the Archdeacon of Chichester, the Ven Douglas McKittrick:

It is wholly appropriate that this report should be considered by us all in the season of Easter, a time that focuses our minds on the new life offered to all by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which has the power to transform and make a real difference in our lives.

This report attempts to present not only challenges but also fresh opportunities for and new expressions of gospel life in our City of Brighton and Hove. In all things our aim has been to enrich the Church’s ministry in our vibrant city.

The pattern of Group Ministry recommended in the report across eight areas of the city offers primarily mutual support and encourages deeper collaboration in order that clergy and laity working in a greater inter-dependent relationship with one another can find a new confidence in witnessing to our Risen Lord in a city where more and more people become or remain detached from the life of God’s Church. There is call on us as the Church to seek fresh ways of ministering to Christ in the modern contemporary person of today.

We recognise that there will be pain and loss felt by some churches — a sense of sacrificial cost is bound to precede the joy of Easter Day. But where the closure of a church is recommended, we hope that congregations will realise that the Church’s life is greater than any one building or parish and, importantly, that they will receive a warm and loving welcome in other churches in the deaneries.

While there have been some very hard decisions, we believe that this process can be a positive experience. We hope it offers exciting opportunities for a wider and more imaginative use of some of our buildings, will provide the chance for new working relationships and new ways of expressing our life together.

Pastoral revitalisation is a process and needs to be grasped now. Indeed, it is already beginning to evolve in certain parts of our deaneries. I hope that everyone will read the report in full, prayerfully reflect on its content, and begin to understand something of the broader picture for Brighton and Hove.

Full report (PDF document) (2.8MB)

We hope to be able to provide a web (HTML) version of the report soon. The document as originated in Microsoft Word is 14MB in size and this version is not being made available.