An increasingly diverse society calls for more minority ethnic Anglicans in ordained ministry, the Archbishop of York has said.
Ugandan-born Archbishop John Sentamu said it is "crucial" to have greater diversity within the Church if it is to grow. Currently, just 3 per cent of serving clergy have ethnic minority heritage.
"We need people who are equipped for cross cultural ministry," Sentamu wrote in a foreword to a new booklet on minority ethnic vocations, 'Everyday People, God's gift to the Church of England'.
"We need more minority ethnic clergy as deacons, priests and bishops. We need ethnic diversity at all levels in the Church's ministry...We need to see more minority ethnic Anglicans if we are to serve effectively and see churches grow, and to do that we must make and nurture disciples in diverse communities across England today."
Sentamu added that the Church has "come a long way in recent years, but there is much further to go".
"The ethnic diversity of the Church and its ministry is a gospel imperative. The infant Jesus is hailed by Simeon as a 'Light to the nations' (Luke 2:32). St Paul makes clear that in Christ there is no distinction on grounds of ethnicity, gender, or class."
The booklet, which includes stories from ordained clergy born in Hong Kong, India and Jamaica, is being distributed to dioceses across England.
Mission support officer for Southwark diocese and curate at St Matthew's Church in Redhill, Surrey, Rev Dr Sharon Prentis has backed the Archbishop's call. Her parents came to the UK from the Caribbean around 50 years ago.
"In order for the Church to fully engage with and reach out to the whole of society with the message of the Good News of the Gospel, it is important that there is representation from a diverse range of people from different backgrounds in ordained ministry within the Church of England," she said.
The Church of England's national adviser on minority ethnic Anglican concerns, Dr Elizabeth Henry, said making the Church more inclusive "is not about redressing an imbalance, it is essential to church growth."
"We hope this booklet will provide insight and inspiration for a positive impact on the number of minority ethnic Anglicans coming forward for ordination," she added.
A leading expert in religious trends earlier this year predicted that the future of the religion in the UK will be found in Islam and black majority churches.
Ethnic minority Christians will constitute a "large share" of worshipping Brits, said Professor David Voas of Essex University.
