Mission Area Share

Is the frontline ministry cost shared equally across all MAs or dependent on the number of the clergy in a particular MA?

It is calculated specifically on the number of clergy ministering in each MA. The establishment number of clergy for the following year is agreed by the Bishop’s staff team.

Will clergy be run ragged with an increased link between their workload and the cost for churches?

The MAC are crucial in determining what’s appropriate; non-stipendiary and voluntary work is also key for mission and ministry. We can’t avoid difficult questions especially in the current climate of uncertainty and the cost-of-living crisis.

What happens when clergy are perceived to work for a particular church and not across the MA?

The MAC needs to decide how clergy and lay time is allocated across the churches. Any problems with individual performance need to be raised with an archdeacon. Please note that a lot of ministry time happens away from churches (e.g. care homes, schools etc). Some Mission Area conferences are encouraging new ways of working across churches (e.g. specialists in pastoral or family work).

Will Mission hub specialist costs be included in the MA Share?

The stipend of the mission hub leader will be included in the MA Share but additional costs, such as a curate or youth worker (or similar) will be funded centrally.

How will non-stipendiary travel costs be met?

There is no change to the Mission Area clergy expenses claims process which remains separate from the share calculation.  Please note that there is no actual cost in the Diocesan budget for non-stipendiary clergy as they have other sources of income and live in their own homes. This means that there is no cost to the MAs for these posts.

Why are we having to pay a charge for buildings when we maintain these ourselves?

This cost is not additional, it is already part of the budgeted Diocesan expenditure. A small percentage of share total will therefore be allocated between MAs based on the number of church buildings they have in use. This is because there are Diocesan costs associated with church buildings, such as the Churches Inspector and the quinquennial electrical checks.

What is the definition of a church building?

A church that is open for worship and the responsibility of a Mission Area for ministry and finance.

Will unused church buildings be included in the building charge element of the formula?

This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If a church building is not being used for worship and has a different future as part of an MA strategy, then it will not be included in the calculation for the following year.

What happens if space is rented or the building is owned by a landowner? Will the fixed cost per building be included?

A cost per church will only be included where the CinW owns the building. Where additional space is rented (or given by a landowner), this will not be included in the calculation.

Is the population factor calculated for a Mission Area or an individual church and how will the share be allocated amongst the churches?

The population factor is calculated from Church Army data as a total for each Mission Area. Please note that this factor for population will be a relatively small percentage of the share calculation. The treasurers will agree a fair allocation in conversation at the autumn finance meetings and the share figures will be available in advance to help prepare for this discussion.

This sounds a great idea but isn’t there a danger that this part of the calculation will be very subjective?

This charge will be based on the previous consolidated year-end accounts submitted to the Charity Commission. The calculation will include unrestricted cash and investments, but not property valuations. The principle is to encourages Mission Areas to use their financial resources in line with UK charity law which demands that unrestricted money is not hoarded but used to further the aims of the charity. In the case of the church this is mission and ministry to build God’s Kingdom.

What if the unrestricted funds at the end of the year are needed for a project?

If this is the case then the money should be reported in the accounts as either a restricted fund (received from donors or grantors with terms and conditions, eg fundraising for a specific purpose) or a designated fund (ring-fenced by the MAC and church committee for a specific purpose). If it is a major project such as a church reordering that involves paying invoices in different financial years, then please take advice on how to show this in the year-end accounts. The MA treasurers working with the Diocesan office will assist with this to ensure accurate reporting, both for the independent examination of the accounts and for publication of the final accounts on the Charity Commission website.

Will the churches have an opportunity to explain unrestricted funds held at year-end?

The local conversation is essential as MA and church representatives will know circumstances and plans.

Has the Diocese thought about the cost-of-living crisis and spiralling energy bills? What will happen when churches can’t pay their share?

Bishop’s staff and MA leaders have met to discuss this, with a particular focus on the communities and the vulnerable we minister to around our churches. With our own buildings, the Diocesan and Provincial property teams need to help advise churches to heat their buildings more efficiently and effectively and help locate grant support. Likewise it will be important to alleviate the pressure on individual hardship cases and speak truth to power about the causes of these crisis situations. All this work can benefit from being in partnership with other agencies. Above all, prayer, spiritual and pastoral support needs to be available to people.

I’m worried about the cost-of-living crisis and people’s ability to pay or give. Reserves are already being accessed to fund expenditure but isn’t it the wrong time to ask people to give more to the church?

The culture needs to change in order to focus on growth and draw new people to the love of Jesus and the life of faith, hope and love in our churches.  This share formula is hopefully an incentive to do so.

Yes, as in previous years, those Mission Areas who pay their Share in full by an agreed date will receive a discount.