The Church of England plans to double attendance across Devon, with a major £10million package.
The Diocese of Exeter secured the significant grant from the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board in order to fund an ambitious transformation project.
The initiative aims to double church attendance in Plymouth, Devon’s largest urban centre, through what church leaders are describing as a “bold reshaping” of Anglican ministry in the city.
Over the next decade, the programme targets the cultivation of 2,035 new disciples and the creation of 35 fresh worshipping communities.
The substantial investment forms part of a broader £22million package supporting three dioceses working in some of England’s most economically challenged areas.
Plymouth, home to around 270,000 residents, has been designated an “area of concern” by the national Church owing to its combination of above-average deprivation and struggling congregations.
The Suffragan Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt Revd James Grier, who was born in the city, has acknowledged that “whole communities in the city have never been reached by their parish church.”
The diocese faces considerable headwinds, including falling attendance figures, gaps in leadership, and mounting financial pressures.
The Suffragan Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt Revd James Grier said the funding provided ‘a rare opportunity to shape a new culture: one that’s rooted in mission, built on collaboration, and open to growth’
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A clergy vacancy rate of one third, representing ten unfilled posts, has emerged as what diocesan recruitment material describes as “a rare opportunity to shape a new culture: one that’s rooted in mission, built on collaboration, and open to growth.”
An audit of Plymouth’s churches had been anticipated to recommend substantial pastoral reorganisation, given the ratio of clergy to congregation numbers.
In response to the review, Bishop Grier said: “In practice, what the review said was, ‘There is no excuse for these churches not to be growing.’
“If our leaders have not got the headspace and the ability to lead missionally and are just in maintenance mode, then we are just going to move backwards.”
Many churches within Plymouth could be set to receive some of the funding, such as St Paul’s Church on Dunford Street
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The funding arrangement requires the diocese to match half the cost of each vacant clergy position, with newly appointed ministers expected to dedicate time to outreach beyond existing congregations.
Last month, the diocese confirmed the appointment of the Revd Alexander Randle-Bissell as the new City Dean of Plymouth.
He previously served as Vicar of the 11-church Pastrow Benefice in Winchester diocese.
Bishop Grier expressed particular enthusiasm for Plymouth’s prospects.
“This is such good news for Devon, as we seek to live out and share the good news of Jesus,” he said. “I am particularly delighted for Plymouth.
“It is a wonderful city with so much that is fantastic about it and yet also has challenges.”
The Bishop of Exeter, Dr Mike Harrison, offered his own reflection: “My prayer is that this resourcing might lead many to know the love of God in Christ for them and to grow as followers of Jesus, joyfully witnessing and serving in His name.”
The grant builds upon a £1.7million investment from 2018 targeting deprived estates, which yielded growth of approximately 200 congregants but proved demanding for the curates involved.
“We will not let you spend any of this money on sustaining. It is all about growth,” Bishop Grier insisted.