Leaders before lay people - What the Church of England gets wrong about discipleship

Discipleship is worked out in ministries such as Street Pastors, but the Church of England lacks a clear discipleship theology. Ascension Trust

The Church of England's understanding of ministry is "lopsided", its mission is too narrowly focused on the Church and it is failing to equip Christians to live out their faith in daily life, says a new report to be presented to the General Synod next month.

Introduced by the Bishop of Sheffield, Rt Rev Steven Croft, the Developing Discipleship report says that there are "significant obstacles" to the growth of individuals in the Church, among them a concentration on the development of ministers at the expense of lay people. In an Archbishop's Council survey, "It was widely perceived that the biggest obstacle in lay development is the clericalised culture of church and ministry."

While lay discipleship is worked out through initiatives such as foodbanks, Street Pastors and other forms of ministry, the report says that the "lack of a coherent and concisely stated common understanding of discipleship" means that "Our vision for the Church and for discipleship is not as clear as it could be," that "Our understanding of service becomes restricted to the life of the Church" and that "Our theological understanding of ministry becomes lopsided" as lay people are marginalised.

article,article,article,article,article,article,article Related

It says: "Finally, and most seriously, the witness and mission of the whole Church is impoverished as Christians are neither encouraged nor sustained in the living out of their Christian faith in daily life."

The report proposes adopting 10 "marks of a diocese committed to developing disciples", including recognising gifts of leadership among lay people and encouraging innovation and experimentation.

Introducing the report, Bishop Croft said: "The main focus of the paper is the need for the Church of England to take more seriously the call to all of us, lay and ordained, to be and to become a community of missionary disciples called to love God, to love one another and to love God's world."

An online comment forum has been created to allow Anglicans to engage with the issues that Developing Disciples indentifies.

The report comes after the Archbishops of Canterbury and York warned that decline in the Church of England had to be reversed if it were to continue its nation-wide ministry. Average attendance at Sunday services has dropped by nearly half during the last 40 years and currently stands at around 800,000.

related articles
Hungry Britain: what you need to know, and what you can do about it
Hungry Britain: what you need to know, and what you can do about it

Hungry Britain: what you need to know, and what you can do about it

Can business training solve CofE\'s \'toxic\' leadership problem?
Can business training solve CofE's 'toxic' leadership problem?

Can business training solve CofE's 'toxic' leadership problem?

Justin Welby: \'The only certainty in life is Christ\'
Justin Welby: 'The only certainty in life is Christ'

Justin Welby: 'The only certainty in life is Christ'

Rowan Williams denounces \'work-until-you-drop\' culture
Rowan Williams denounces 'work-until-you-drop' culture

Rowan Williams denounces 'work-until-you-drop' culture

Justin Welby receives honorary degree from Durham University
Justin Welby receives honorary degree from Durham University

Justin Welby receives honorary degree from Durham University

She\'s back! Vicar (or should that be bishop?) of Dibley returns
She's back! Vicar (or should that be bishop?) of Dibley returns

She's back! Vicar (or should that be bishop?) of Dibley returns

Justin Welby and John Sentamu warn that Church of England must reverse its decline
Justin Welby and John Sentamu warn that Church of England must reverse its decline

Justin Welby and John Sentamu warn that Church of England must reverse its decline

News
US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies
US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies

A United States Federal Judge has granted an injunction that will prevent immigration agents from carrying out operations in places of worship after a group of religious organisations launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new enforcement policies.

Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss
Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss

Gyles Brandreth has thrown his support behind CBM UK’s campaign to end avoidable sight loss.

Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan
Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan

“We urge the governors of the affected states to reconsider this decision and explore alternative arrangements that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens.”

Bangor celebrates 1,500 years by honouring cathedral
Bangor celebrates 1,500 years by honouring cathedral

Bangor Cathedral's central role in the city's 1,500 year history will be formally recognised