“The sea anemone and the clownfish” as a
model of a ‘mixed ecology’ of Church:
Click here to find out more

Subscribe to my blog at www.blog.fxoversight.com

Rev Dr Langley Mackrell-Hey, Summary of research finding undertaken through the University of Durham DThM, 2000-2016

Key Findings: How CPD was viewed and applied

This research generated clear evidence of where CPD was being used as a tool to delegitimise fresh expressions because of their failure to adhere to regulations around key issues such as membership and ecclesial formation. In recent months it has become clear that work with fresh expressions or other churchplanting projects is creating what might be termed, ‘ecclesial anomalies’. Funding was also an issue, in terms of how some fresh expressions (perhaps even the majority) were drawing resources and funding from the church, without sharing reciprocally.

Whilst some proponents in the wider church were calling for fresh expressions to adhere to CPD, there was evidence to suggest that the inherited church is struggling to implement some aspects of it within established inherited churches. This makes the arguments against fresh expressions somewhat incongruous. For example:

• In small and declining congregations, Methodism is struggling to implement its ‘six year rule’. This should ideally serve as a means of refreshing church leadership. Local churches should not appoint anyone to an essential office for longer than six years without working through a set of preconditions. However, smaller churches in particular were, often by necessity, lax in  his area, with stewards and treasurers for example often serving well beyond this timeframe. Measures that might seem appropriate for larger congregations (such as the need for balloting and candidates to receive 75% of the vote), were unwieldy in small chapels.

• Anecdotal evidence suggested that the process which circuits are required to follow in the event that a local church’s membership falls below six, was not being properly observed. Churches in some rural contexts appeared to operate with less than the minimum number, and it was unclear, how circuits had intervened within the required timescale. The majority of this evidence surfaced from lay participants rather than ministers, and it may be that  he status of a congregation (i.e. is it a class or a church) is was not fully known and appreciated by all.

• One observation, particularly in relation to chapel closures, was that conversations about alternative forms of mission (such as developing a fresh expression) or alternative use, took place at the point where the congregation were exhausted and lacked confidence. The default position seemed one of ‘close and sell’, rather than exploring other options fully.

• Whilst some chapels did have the minimum number required to exist as a church in their own right, their principal worship services, and the scope of their mission, was severely impacted by high numbers of members who were housebound. Meanwhile, these chapels retained their legal status and were able to continue without closing, often drawing on their financial reserves. At the same time, that the number of members of a church is in no way indicative of the scope of their mission. Small churches could work in partnership with small communities to have a significant impact.

• Finally, the regulation that new churches can be formed only when twelve members unite, and yet existing churches continue to have legal status until they have less than six, seems to go against the flexibility required for fresh expressions (who are encouraged to develop forms of church that relate to local context).

Literature Review and initial
considerations for Oversight

Accessible parts of the Thesis:

Abstract and Acknowledgements

Intro, Method, and Thesis Outline

The full consultation on CPD, and the case studies are embargoed: I am however able to provide more detail on request.

Conclusion and Recommendations
for further action

Thesis Appendices

Consultation on Oversight

Sample Quantitative Survey 2

Sample Quantitative Survey 1

Probing Questions

Glossary of Terms

Bibliography