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Key statistics
The Church of England Today Published in 1999
The Church of England has spiritual and a physical dimension. First and foremost, it is about proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is also the nation’s church and the mother church of the 161 country Anglican Communion.
MINISTRY
Training for Ordained Ministry 1998/9 The number of candidates recommended for ordained ministry has almost doubled in five years. Today there are 1,380 people in training for ordained ministry (including non-stipendiary and ordained local ministries) representing an increase of 8% from 1,274 in 1997/8. Ordinations 1998 249 people were ordained to stipendiary ministry and 227 to non-stipendiary ministry (including ordained local ministry). The total (476) is 16% higher than the 1997 total. Retirements 1997 In 1997 there were 357 retirements from full-time stipendiary ministry. Clergy, Readers, Licensed Ministers and others permitted to officiate in post on 31 Dec 1997
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about any of the licensed ministries, see a priest today.
PCC FINANCE 1997 The Church of England is an inter-dependant church, putting resources where they are needed most. PCC Income
Average Giving Levels 401,500 people give through deeds of covenant. The average weekly gift per donor was £5.96 excluding any tax recovered.
PCC Expenditure The total expenditure by PCCs for the normal day-to-day running of the Church (i.e. excluding one-off items that do not recur) was £370 million. From this £27 million was given to the missionary and voluntary work of the Church and other charitable causes at home and overseas. PCC Support for Stipendiary Clergy The annual average stipend in 1998 was £15,210. In addition, some expenses are paid, pension provision is made and housing is provided. Stipends in needier dioceses are assisted by contributions from the Church Commissioners.
The total clergy pay and pensions bill for 1998 was £250 million. Parishes are taking on increasing responsibility for clergy pensions.
THE CHURCH IN EVERY COMMUNITY Church of England Dioceses and Parishes The Church of England has 44 dioceses; 43 of these comprise 13,000 parishes which cover the whole of England, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, the Isles of Scilly and a small part of Wales. The Diocese in Europe has 260 congregations across Europe, Morocco, Turkey and the Asian countries of the former Soviet Union. Church of England Weddings In 1996 there were 71,000 weddings in Church of England churches*. These comprised 27% of all weddings and 41% of all first weddings. In 1995 there were 80,000 Church of England weddings. [*source: Marriage, Divorce and Adoption Statistics, 1996, Office for National Statistics. Crown copyright 1999. Reproduced by permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Office for National Statistics.] Baptised Population It is estimated that over 25 million people living in England today (about half the population) have been baptised by the Church of England. Baptisms 1997 In 1997 the Church of England baptised 187,000 people including nearly a quarter of all babies.
Confirmations 1997 During 1997 there were 41,000 people (16,000 males and 25,000 females) confirmed in the Church of England, this compares with a total of 43,000 in 1996. Church Electoral Rolls 1997 The number of people on the 1997 electoral rolls was 1,325,000. In 1996 the number was 1,290,000. Easter and Christmas Communicants 1997 On Easter Day in 1997 a total of 1,172,000 people took communion compared with 1,236,000 in 1996. On Christmas Day in 1997 a total of 1,344,000 people took communion (including those at midnight services). This was the same number of people as in 1996.
THE CHURCH’S BUILDINGS There are 16,000 Anglican churches representing all periods of English architecture from the seventh century to the present day. In addition, there are 42 Anglican cathedrals (all Grade I or Grade II* listed buildings) which serve as focal points of the dioceses. Church buildings are often the centre of their communities serving God and the community in a variety of ways. 12,000 Anglican churches are listed buildings while parish churches account for over 30% of Grade I listed buildings. It is estimated that 30 million tourist-visits are made annually to English cathedrals, greater churches and parish churches.
THE CHURCH AS EDUCATOR In 1997 there were 4,575 primary and 199 secondary Church of England schools each with a distinctive, Christian-based ethos. They serve 758,000 primary pupils and 146,000 secondary pupils. Church of England schools account for 25% of all primary schools and 6% of all secondary schools, 18% of all primary pupils and 5% of all secondary pupils. Some 35 choir schools are attached to cathedrals and college chapels. Approximately 1,000 of the 1,300 independent preparatory and secondary schools registered with the Independent Schools Information Service have a Church of England ethos. In England there are eleven Church of England colleges of higher education, eleven theological colleges and twelve regional courses allowing candidates for ordination to study in a part-time mode.
THE CHURCH URBAN FUND WORK IN 1998
THE CHURCH’S WORSHIP Common Worship replaces the Alternative Service Book, which ceases to be licensed at the end of the century. Complementing the Book of Common Prayer, Common Worship will be published (including an electronic version) in time for Advent 2000.
THE CHURCH’S VOLUNTARY SOCIETIES These Societies represent a practical expression of faith. Remaining independent, they receive encouragement from the wider Church. They include: Anglican Stewardship Association, Association of Church Fellowships, Children’s Society, Church Housing Trust, Church Pastoral Aid Society, Church Union, Family Life and Marriage Education, GFS Platform for Young Women, Guild of Vergers, Mother’s Union, and the National Society for Religious Education.
MISSION: THE MILLENNIUM
During 1999 all the Church’s parishes will prepare to mark the Millennium as the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. Many will join with their fellow-Christians from other churches in sharing the gift of a Millennium candle and the Resolution for New Year’s Eve with the communities in which they live. Parishes will aim to offer people a New Start with God, in addition to working for a New Start for the World’s Poor and reflecting on the possibilities of a New Start at Home. Statistics in this leaflet are for the whole of the Church of England including, for 1997 onwards, the Diocese in Europe wherever possible. Copyright The Archbishops’ Council 1999. The proponent offices responsible for GS Misc 548 are the Statistics Unit and the Communications Unit. Comments welcome. Parishes, benefices, team and group ministries, schools and diocesan bodies have permission to reproduce this leaflet for local use, provided the copies include the above copyright notice and no charge is made for them. Any other reproductions, storage or transmission of material in this leaflet by any other means or in any form requires prior written permission from the Copyright Manager, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3NZ (e-mail: [email protected]). Go to the top |
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