Title: Lincolnshire Vicar Bracing for Substantial Expansion in Church Responsibilities
Article:
Reverend Canon Andrew Vaughan, currently administering a group of churches in the vicinity of Lincoln, is poised for a considerable surge in the number of churches he oversees by 2026. This projection is part of a response to a lack of clergy. At present, Canon Vaughan manages the Swinderby church grouping in Lincolnshire but anticipates that a review by the Diocese of Lincoln will substantially escalate his responsibilities. “It is likely that many clergy will be responsible for larger areas and it’s expected my workload will grow from four to 11 churches”, he has stated. In some rural parts of the region, conversations are ongoing about some vicars potentially being responsible for between 20 and 30 churches. Reverend Canon Christine Goldsmith of the Diocese has conceded that the days of having one vicar for each church are regrettably over, but assured that congregations have been involved in dialogue regarding sustainable operations.
The Diocese is under considerable financial strain, with only 116 full-time vicars and curates available to look after over 600 churches. This has resulted in some churches only opening for major events such as Christmas and Easter. The Diocese’s 2025 balance sheet showed a shortfall of £1.5 million. As a result, a review named ‘A Time To Change Together’ was initiated in 2019 to identify more sustainable operating methodologies for the church. Canon Goldsmith illuminated the escalating demands being placed on vicars, stating, “Financial contributions from congregations are inadequate to sustain all the required clergy.” Certain congregations have indicated a preference to transition into ‘festival churches,’ where ordained vicars would lead services on a monthly basis, whilst lay ministers would fulfil roles at other times. It would not be common practice for a single vicar to manage 30 churches, but for those who do, additional support will be available. Canon Vaughan recognised the final stages of the review and emphasised that it reinforced dependency on volunteers and lay ministers should his duties expand to include 11 churches. He commended the Diocese on its successful management of workloads.
These recent changes underscore enduring challenges and adjustments experienced by Lincolnshire’s religious community.
Adapted from original reporting by www.bbc.com by The Lincoln Post.
