PAYING OUR WAY

ONE OF THE most difficult topics for parishes and parishioners nowadays is the parish share - the contribution to the Common Fund - or, as it is known in some dioceses, 'the Quota'. Gone are the days when the parish church was run on the proceeds of jumble sales and coins on the collection plate: all churches nowadays depend on their members to contribute generously and realistically. That is not an easy thing for parishes: who are the 'members'? The baptised? The electoral roll? The regulars?

Many of the general public think that Church of England priests are paid for by the State and indeed that church buildings - as in some other countries - are maintained by the State. In fact, the State contributes nothing to the upkeep of clergy and, though church buildings - like other distinguished buildings - can attract funding from English Heritage, much of the cost falls on the shoulders of congregations.

Then there is the vexed question of what is being paid for. There are various estimates of how much it costs to provide a parish priest - figures between £30k and £50k per year are often quoted - but it all depends on how the sums are being done. Priests on a full stipend get about £20k per year to which the costs of insurance, pension, training, together with central administrative costs, have to be added in. Then there is the housing. The parsonage house is held in trust by the Diocesan Board of Finance and, whatever the value ascribed, it does have to be maintained.

Another question is how much is expected. Do rich and poor pay the same? Some dioceses distinguish between the basic cost of ministry - which all parishes must pay - and the additional costs, which fall more heavily on affluent parishes and parishes with large congregations. Other dioceses recognise that inner-city and other poor parishes - such as many of those that look to me - need a heavier subsidy. There are various complicated formulas worked out, each an attempt to be as fair to all as possible. Though there are regional differences, I am sure that most dioceses do their best to deal as fairly with Ebbsfleet parishes as with others. Parishes which pay less than £30k a year in parish share and have a full-time priest are almost certainly being subsidised by other parishes. Parishes which pay their share, in whole or part, with rents and investment income, are feather-bedding their own church members or living on borrowed time.

But how much do I give? That is a question that every Christian must ask. Years ago the Archbishops of Canterbury and York recommended a half-tithe: 5% of income. As compared with the biblical tithe (10%) that leaves us money in our pockets to give to good causes other than the Church. My own rule is that 5% is 5% of take-home way. That, for tax payers, converts into 5% of gross income when our giving is made under the Gift Aid scheme.

May God bless you as you celebrate the abundant gifts of God's grace and love, freely given.

+ Andrew Ebbsfleet



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The Bishop of Ebbsfleet
Bishop's House, Dry Sandford, Abingdon, OXON OX13 6JP
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