Is there a future for rural parishes?

The Church of England has a great propensity for shooting itself in the foot, notably by having a set of rules and then failing to keep them, or recommending that they should be ignored. As a result, few know where they stand, or what the procedures really are. One only has to look at the jottings for the February General Synod to see that the Church, having taken on board women priests, still fails to include them automatically for consideration as Bishops. Also, the Church seems to expend more energy in trying not to implement what it has decided than in the “getting on and doing it”. The debacle over investments in Caterpillar (and any ethical investment, despite the best intentions, can founder) stems from a debate as puerile as any Junior Common Room debate at Theological College over Page 3 in The Sun: they fail to consider the Sistine Chapel! The saving grace comes in the Archbishop of York guiding us away from a “me-shaped church”.

How “me-shaped” are rural churches? Much depends on the personalities running, leading and paying for them. If there is a power struggle then little will be achieved, but many continue to exist thanks to the dedication and service of a few. And often a crisis generates a wide response, as the community do not wish to lose their church – for it stands for better values and is there to celebrate the three Rites of Passage as required.

As a parish priest, I am conscious of fighting a rearguard action to keep an obsolete system running. At this point it is not helpful when senior staff, who have had little experience of parish, let alone rural, ministry appear to shoot the troops for not trying. The mindset of lumping more and more village parishes together is not necessarily the answer. More often than not the components of rural parishes are not considered and local wisdom is ignored. Some communities just do not gel and cannot get an act together. Others have movers and shakers with the right touch and facilities - be they shops, garages, the school and of course the church, if there - continue and prosper ……

The farming community is fairly adaptable, and, while they may be park keepers out of necessity, there is diversification, whether contract work, cooking, selling bras or other marketing brainwaves. The farming cycle has changed but seed time and harvest still impinge on the minds and therefore can be reflected in the liturgy of the church. Many county agricultural societies seek to encourage a spiritual response and thanksgiving at harvest in particular, and therefore indirectly support rural ministry. (They should not be overlooked as a training resource for rural clergy, too.)

The old adage “United we Stand, Divided we Fall” is a necessary watchword for rural parishes. Some can only be joined together and will have to work together. Since different dioceses will have different strategies (if any), the future appears to be in a constant state of flux, exacerbated by what is a very mobile society (while petrol lasts). Some parishes are lucky in being served better than others and some will continue to smart, having lost a priest and a rectory. Initiatives come and go. Musical chairs seem to happen as all change round. Too often navel gazing is encouraged. So where does the way forward lie for a brighter future? It is about “thinking it out”.

A closed church stands for failure. Even if little used it still needs upkeep. Doubtless the churchyard is still in use or may have to be put back into use when space is not available elsewhere. The Dioceses could be more pro-active in securing funds: too often a degree in bureaucracy is required to fill in an application form and each grant-giving body seems to have its own jargon. So keeping churches open must be at the top of the list. If it’s there, then USE IT: if services are not possible or regular then what about quiet times, creative space, music practice, art displays? Other community uses are possible even if it means throwing out some outdated pews. Organ recitals; etched glass to tell stories and encourage visitors; the possibilities are endless – but of course depend on who is willing to do them, and who will attend. Marketing skills help!

Ultimately the future falls back into the hands of parishioners. Links with a cause, an urban parish, a retired priest, can all generate more than just a reprieve and provide a prayerful activity. A glance at History and the odd tell-tale in the church fabric will show that the past has had its ups and downs. New life may come to the community through alms houses and low cost homes being built in the village, as all need to expand. Many villages are smaller in numbers now than 100 years ago – Kepwick, one estate village, boasted three cricket teams before WWI even.

Rural ministry is not all “hunting, shooting and fishing” – indeed many newcomers are indifferent to such pastimes. But we do live nearer to God’s creation and so have a greater awareness. The wider church forgets that it needs our roots to generate some energy for itself. After all, Christmas and Harvest are well attended. They are the landmarks of the liturgical year – though we all need to work harder at understanding Easter and working on it. There is the real crux of the matter. If we know our faith better, share it, pray for and encourage others – then those churches will have a future.

What did Jesus do? He made people think. He issued a challenge. When the Syro-Phoenician woman approached Him at the seaside He challenged her and she took the bait. When the disciples shooed away children, Jesus did something about it and made them respond. When the blind man was healed in the temple Jesus made them all think, just as He had when He healed on the Sabbath.

We need to make our faith a little more precious, a little more out of reach, so that people have to make more effort - then they might value it and use it more. Then our churches may enjoy real use.