Creation of new ministry positions

9. The Rev Richard Blight asked -

Given the emphasis in the mission on raising up suitable people for gospel ministry, how many new Assistant Minister, Lay Stipendiary and Youth or Children’s ministry positions have been created in each region in the last ten years (and in the last three years i.e. 2003-2005)?

How many of these received significant financial assistance from the regional councils or Archbishop’s special curacies?

How many of these positions no longer exist (as full-time positions)?

What steps are being taken to increase the creation of new ministry positions?

To which the President replied -

I am advised that the answers are as follows -

With the time available, it is not possible to obtain accurate figures for the last ten years. However, from the incomplete figures provided by the parishes in the Annual Statistical Returns, it would appear between the year 2002 and 2004, the number of full time paid church workers in parishes increased from 441 to 488, an increase of 10%, and the number of part time workers increased from 189 to 201, an increase of 6.3%.

While the primary responsibility for funding these positions rests with the parish church, the majority of funds distributed by regional councils was for the purpose of employing these staff.

In addition, money allocated through the Archbishop’s special curacies is mainly for such strategic new ministry positions, amounting to $135,000 in 2004.

It is not possible to state with any accuracy whether any of the newly-created positions no longer exist. Parishes are being encouraged to consider the creation of new ministry positions, and regional councils are regarding these positions as a strategic use of the funds available for distribution.