The Church of England logoFaithWorshipLife eventsAbout the Church
Information Contact us
Media Centre Home

Tell us what you think about our website

Theological Issues

  1. Isn't there a danger of bringing in a secular agenda and losing what is distinctive about the ordained ministry?

  2. Will decisions be made theologically or on the basis of a secular management model?

 

Click here to return to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) home page.

1. Isn’t there a danger of bringing in a secular agenda and losing what is distinctive about the ordained ministry?

Christians shouldn’t expect the clergy to work under conditions of service that are less good than those enjoyed by other people. This is a long overdue updating of the Church’s practice in this area. We consider it right and fair that legal entitlement to section 23 rights and, as a last resort, access to Employment Tribunals should be available to the clergy, as they are to others. However, we recognise that the way in which most clergy work does not correspond to the usual relationship of employer and employee in other walks of life. For this reason, we have recommended that clergy should retain their status as office holders rather than employees.

 

Back to Top                                                                  Back to FAQs

 

2. Will decisions be made theologically or on the basis of a secular management model?

The Church is the body of Christ.  It is called by God to serve His purpose and does so by acknowledging His will. However, we live in this world, and there is much to be learnt from it.  Without being uncritical of secular insights, we must not assume that simply because something operates outside the Church it must be wrong or not the work of God.

 

Back to Top                                                                  Back to FAQs