This is really stretching things…
The ongoing cost of ministry does not come out of taxes, nor does it come nationally from the Church Commissioners; it is paid for by church attenders, friends of the church and by fees (such as for a funeral or a wedding). This we do as a diocese through the Parish Share.
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. [1 Cor 12; the definition of Parish Share].
As costs are fairly regular, giving to church works best for us in a regular pattern. Whilst we are hugely grateful to those who give the national norm of £60 a month (and of course also those who give less), the church members who give £150-£200 a month, make a real difference to us in meeting the Parish Share target. (For more information google Parish Giving Gloucester Diocese).
However, your church treasurer is scratching their head. Life is complicated. We are expecting a new model for calculating the Parish Share (the total cost of ministry) in 2026. This is because the Gloucester Diocese, using the current model, cannot make things add up. The total cost for the delivery of mission and ministry for 2025 across the Gloucester Diocese is expected to exceed the Parish Share Request by more than £2.5 million, even when off-set by Diocesan investment and other income.
In the meanwhile, next year 2025, the calculation is going to be the 2022 baseline plus inflation [given 14% inflation between 2022 – 2025]. The cost of ministry per Benefice has gone up from £67,000 in 2018, to an expected £84,000 in 2025. (The vicar’s stipend is about £30,000). The West of Severn Benefice struggles to reach the £60,000 mark in our contribution to the Parish Share, which means we are about seven years behind the curve.
With levels of anxiety rising, there is much for us collectively to pray about. We cannot be sure in ten years’ time we will have so many churches open and flourishing or ministers to take a Sunday service, a wedding or a funeral. October is a good time in the year to review one’s house-keeping for 2025. We are grateful for any support you give you to the church in the coming years. And for the efforts of so many people across our benefice of seven churches to meet the cost of church ministry.
The most tax efficient method of giving to church on a regular basis is giving through the Parish Giving Scheme. Your church treasurer can explain about this method of giving which adds a gift aid tax refund straight away. (Or by phone: 0333 002 1260 or look up email: info@parishgiving.org.uk). Maisemore Church and Hartpury Church have recently put in credit card machine for giving to church. This we hope will make a small overall difference to our income.