Church of England Faces Calls for Ruthless Reform as General Synod Remains Deadlocked

A new report is calling on the Church of England to make sweeping cuts to its administrative structure, reducing the number of dioceses and bishops from 40 to 30. The report, titled "Wasted Money in a Diminishing Church," was authored by Canon Professor Robin Gill and Professor John Craven. It argues that the current structure drains resources away from parish ministry and that "ruthless" reform is needed to keep the church financially viable.

The call for reform comes as analysis of recent General Synod elections shows the legislative body remains deeply divided. Conservative, orthodox members retained a 34 percent blocking minority, enough to prevent major doctrinal changes. Groups advocating for inclusion reported gains in the elections but not enough to shift the balance of power.

Separately, Southwell Minster in Nottinghamshire is facing a severe financial crisis. The cathedral's Dean, Dr. Stephen Evans, warned that the institution may be forced to close. The Minster has failed to file accounts with the Charity Commission for two years, faces a £20 million repair bill, and has dealt with what Evans described as a "toxic" internal culture.

The financial pressures at Southwell are not unique. Many Church of England cathedrals and parishes have struggled with declining attendance and rising maintenance costs for historic buildings.

In another development, the Bread of Life Community Church in Clacton-on-Sea is appealing a Community Protection Notice that bans the use of amplified equipment during street preaching. The local council issued the notice after complaints about intimidation and harassment.

The Church of England's General Synod is expected to take up questions of structural reform at its next scheduled meeting.