Project 2013

It's no secret that I will be 65, and will retire, in early 2013. Someone, probably a priest already serving one or more parishes, will take over responsibility for you. As now, Canon Brian and Canon Michael will give what help they can - but they are retired, enjoying well-earned rest, and cannot be expected take everything on. Parishes function best when lay people are doing some of the ministering alongside whatever clergy there are in future years. (A quarter of the Church of England's paid clergy are due to retire in the next five years or so, and the recruitment level, though improving, will not fill all the gaps.)

That's why we are beginning now to learn to worship in new ways - led by laypeople. That's why we have a small "Keeping in Touch" team, which we hope to expand. That's why the Church Councils will have to take the lead in planning. I hope to help people to learn now - while I'm around to encourage and train. More details in the February magazine.

Paul said: "The Lord appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers.
He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ.
And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God; we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature."

"All" he said - there weren't any paid clergy then.

Giles