“We are to engage in some difficult conversations. Ones which require us to step into areas of challenge and difference.
"We are also taking stock of where we are as a diocese following the pandemic. We know we have severely reduced finances and this is unsustainable for the future. It is having a significant impact on how we shape our priorities. Our vision remains the same, to live and tell the story of Jesus in response to God’s great love for us. But we are having to make changes." Bishop Ruth said in her Presidential Address at Diocesan Synod this weekend during which members were asked to approve the direction of travel set out in a 5-year projection. Following discussion members gave it their overwhelming suppport.
It is a projection of what the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) sees panning out with regard to the diocese's financial situation and some of the decisions that will need to be taken to address some of the challenges. As it is a projection, Synod recognised that it may need to be changed or altered, so it also agreed that the projection will be kept under six monthly review.
The projection outlines a range of measures including; the gradual reduction over five years of stipendiary clergy from 178 at present to 150, a reduction in stipendiary curates from nine to seven and further incremental reductions are expected in diocesan support office costs which were reduced by 12% in 2022.
Addressing Diocesan Synod, Ian Theodoreson, Chair of the DBF outlined the financial situation and put into context the challenges faced by the diocese."We the diocese, and by that I mean all of us - individuals, parishes, deaneries and the DBF- have our backs to the wall at the moment and we need to find our way through this together.
"We are facing, we, all of us in this room, are facing tough decisions.”
Ian went on to say, “We have to recognise that parishes are unlikely to recover their historic ability to give, at least not quickly, and so we have projected a lower level of parish share going forwards.
"Accordingly we have already reduced the costs of providing support to parishes and are planning to reduce too the number of stipendiary clergy that we can deploy. We are working too to help support parishes build stability into their income streams."
The diocese have recently agreed to adopt the Parish Giving Scheme. In 2022 the diocese has been one of three diocese piloting a variety of contactless devices, and in 2023 will be receiving a number of contactless devices made available by the national Church as part of the National Giving Strategy.
"But this is not just about money. It is about making sure that we are as well positioned as we can be, with resources in our hands, to give to God working through us.”
Bishop Ruth told Synod that a day of prayer for everyone to pray together about the practical realities and circumstances will be planned. “This isn’t just about the finances we do or don’t have, it is very much about the vision that God has drawn us to and we have to recognise what we have in our hands is reduced to some extent financially, but our ambition for the Gospel is still as strong as ever.”
In addition to hearing about the financial situation, Mike Haslam Chaplaincy Development Adviser provided an update on the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process in the Diocese of Bath and Wells and encouraged parishes, benefices, deaneries and individuals to engage with the LLF Course and provide feedback via the national questionnaire. He also encouraged parishes to provide opportunities for and publicise LLF Courses for those unable to engage at parish level. Find out more information and resources about LLF.
Synod also approved the proposal that the Diocesan Board of Education is reconstituted as a statutory committee of the Diocesan Board of Finance. That decision now goes forward for national consideration.
Download
Bishop Ruth's Presidential Address Diocesan Synod March 2022