From the Revd Tim Evans
Sir, - As one who served successively in the dioceses of London,
Blackburn, Carlisle, and Wakefield, I have followed the recent
debate in the Church Times over the challenge of
attracting clergy to northern dioceses with great interest.
It is a long-standing issue: every spring since I was ordained
deacon, I have received the list of those to be ordained from my
old theological college, and every year of the 20-25 on the list
only two or three will serve in the north of England. Often more go
to the diocese of London than to the whole of the Northern
Province! But it is not a simple north-v.-south issue. Very few
leave my old college for dioceses in the south-west, or Hereford,
Gloucester, Worcester, Norwich, St Edmundsbury, or Lincoln.
This long-term trend belies the fundamental mission of the
Church of England to the whole of our nation, and should lead to
sustained action by the House of Bishops, which is ultimately
responsible for the selection and formation of candidates for
ordained ministry. There is already, however, a creative and
dynamic response to this situation, which has proved its value over
more than four decades: the regional training courses that serve
the Church all over the country. They work with locally recruited
ordinands who are formed for ordained ministry in the contexts in
which they will serve. They combine rigorous study (in the case of
the Yorkshire Ministry Course, up to MA level) with pastoral
engagement and experience of mission.
The courses provide an excellent alternative to the residential
colleges, and one that is likely to be far more financially viable
in the long term. In addition, those on regional courses have the
essential formational experience of praying, learning, and
socialising with those from every tradition of the Church of
England. They are thus prepared for ministry and mission in a
Church in which they will be required to show adaptability and the
willingness to work across the old party divisions that lay behind
the foundation of theological colleges in the 19th century.
Because of the regional courses there is no need for candidates
to relocate to another part of the country in order to be formed
for ordained ministry, and this offers the best hope of attracting
and retaining clergy in the parts of England which theological
colleges often do not reach.
In order to make better use of these well-established resources,
however, it will be necessary for the bishops to grasp the nettle
of the funding of the regional courses vis-à-vis the colleges. A
level playing- field is needed, so that the full-time courses being
developed by the YMC and others are funded at a level equivalent to
the funding given to colleges.
This would go a very long way towards addressing this urgent
issue in the pastoral mission of the Church to the whole of our
nation. Part of the solution is already there, and has been a
wonderful success story over many years. Let's celebrate it, and
use it fully.
TIM EVANS
Tutor and Director of Pastoral Studies
The Yorkshire Ministry Course
The Mirfield Centre
Mirfield WF14 0BW
From the Revd Cllr Mike Dixon
Sir, - We shouldn't be surprised at the rush by the clergy to
the fleshpots of the south-east. This reflects the ideological
agenda of this Government, which is to transfer wealth, power, and
influence from the poor to the rich, from north to south. By 2016,
the spending power of Durham County Council will be reduced by six
per cent whereas that of Surrey (+3 per cent) and Buckinghamshire
(+2.5) will actually increase. Where is the voice of the Church? Do
the Church and the clergy have the stomach for a fight for
equality, justice, and fairness for the wholecountry, and will they
recover the missionary zeal to preach the Good News to the
poor?
"Money is no object" - for those in the Thames Valley, maybe;
and for those up north? Hm.
MIKE DIXON
2 Crowley Place
Newton Aycliffe
Co. Durham DL5 4JH