South West working class strategy consultation

“THAT THIS SYNOD WELCOME THE work that has already been done to encourage the ministry of people from working class backgrounds, and request the Ministry Development Board to go further in developing a national strategy for the encouragement, development and support of vocations, lay and ordained, of people from working class backgrounds and report back to Synod to debate that strategy within 12 months.”

Date/time

This event will be held on Friday 10 October 2025, 11am-4pm.

Venue

St Michael’s Centre North Road, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8PD (Google map).

This venue is accessible.

More information

In February 2025 General Synod unanimously agreed the above motion (GS 2382A). This regional event is to consult with leaders representing their diocese, a church network or theological training institution (TEI) to hear what they feel should be included in the working-class strategy document that will be presented to General Synod, for further debate, in February 2026.

This event is one of six in total and is part of nationwide consultation process.

The strategy consultation itself will mainly focus on the challenges around the Church of England’s culture and leadership progression. It is suggested that some prior thinking is done in your specific setting, ready for sharing during the consultation. If you have not received further thoughts and guidance about this already please contact vic.wilson@churchofengland.org.

Three other key areas will be covered – ‘training and education’, ‘resources, finances and housing’ and ‘socio-economic background data’. Where ‘work has already been done’ (as mentioned in the Synod motion) this will be communicated to enable an informed discussion.

Programme

A full plan for the day is yet to be finalised but will be along these lines:

Who should attend

Leaders representing dioceses, church networks or theological training institutions.

How to book

To register for this event, click the purple ‘Register’ button on the right side of the page.

Each attendee should book to provide accurate catering numbers and any dietary or access requirements.