The Church Knows What Works... So Why Is Your Vicar Disappearing?

The Church of England knows what grows churches. They commissioned the research. They published the findings. They ran a pilot — and the pilot collapsed.So why are they doing it again?In this podcast, I walk through the 2014 Church Growth Research Programme, the Wigan pilot project, the Chote audit of £176 million of Strategic Development Funding, and the pension correction now driving clergy cuts across the country — from Leicester to Truro to Kingston.This is not commentary. This is the Church's own evidence, against itself. Links mentioned:From Anecdote to Evidence (2014): https://www.churchofengland.org/about/vision-strategy/funding-strategic-mission-and-ministry/strategic-development-funding/anecdoteThe Chote Review: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/vision-strategy/funding-strategic-mission-and-ministry/strategic-development-funding-0Marcus Walker, The Critic — The Road to Wigan's Tears: https://thecritic.co.uk/issues/november-2023/the-road-to-wigans-tears/Ian Paul, Psephizo — What Has Now Happened With Clergy Pensions: https://www.psephizo.com/life-ministry/what-has-now-happened-with-clergy-pensions/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monoingles.substack.com/subscribe