THE DIOCESE OF CHEMLSFORD
The Diocese of Chelmsford serves the county of Essex, the unitary authority areas of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea and the five east London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
Home to more than 3 million people, Chelmsford is the second largest diocese in the Church of England in terms of population, and one of the most diverse.
Led by the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Diocese consists of three episcopal areas, served by the Area Bishops of Barking, Bradwell and Colchester. There are six archdeaconries: Barking, Chelmsford, Colchester, Stansted, Southend and West Ham, 23 deaneries, 467 parishes, 573 churches and 139 Church of England schools and academies.
After a period of listening and discernment that began in 2021, following the arrival of the current Bishop of Chelmsford, the Diocese has embarked on a new direction of travel with a focus on Travelling Well Together:
- Our purpose is to love God and to love our neighbour, to worship faithfully and empowered by the Holy Spirit witness to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ as we serve the extraordinarily diverse array of local communities in Essex and East London.
- Our approach is to enable and empower parishes and worshipping communities to discern how they are to be God’s people in their own very different local contexts as part of one diocesan family.
- Underpinning our approach is an invitation to a way of being articulated by shared diocesan values which might shape how we travel well together, support each other and provide mutual accountability.
The Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) is responsible for the custody and management of the diocesan finances and the employment of DBF employed staff.
The DBF sets a General Fund Budget which is currently about £21 million per annum, of which about 80% funds stipend, training and housing costs for local parish clergy. The budget also funds support services for local parishes and the statutory work of the Church, much of which is delivered by Diocesan Staff. The lead officer of the DBF is the Diocesan Secretary and Chief Executive Officer.
The members of the Diocesan Board of Finance are the Diocesan Synod. The Diocesan Synod is elected every three years and members are involved in making strategic decisions and considering and approving the diocesan budget. Like many dioceses, Chelmsford has brought together a number of committees to join up policy, priorities and finance.
The Bishop’s Council is the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Synod and its members are the board of directors/ trustees of the DBF.
Other Sub-Committees of the Diocesan Synod include the Property Sub-Committee which oversees diocesan properties including vicarages, the Audit and Risk Sub-Committee, the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee and Area Mission and Pastoral Committees and the Diocesan Board of Education.
The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) advises on the architecture, archaeology, art and history of places of worship; the care and maintenance of church buildings and their contents; and the care and maintenance of churchyards.