Ed: In terms of age, these pictures of ordinands from across the dioceses look the same age as incumbents did when I was ordained in 1976. Where have all the young people gone? (Pictures courtesy of the Church Times)
 The Bishop of Worcester (left) and Dudley, with priests and deacons |
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 The Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Revd Stephen Platten, with deacons |
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 In Wales: the Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd John Davies, with priests and deacons |
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 New deacons rehearse in the pulpit at Sheffield Cathedral |
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 The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham with deacons |
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 The Bishop of Truro with deacons at his final ordination as diocesan |
 On retreat with the Bishop of Chelmsford (left) |
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 Deacons at Peteborough |
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 The Bishop of Ripon & Leeds with deacons |
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 The Bishops of Rochester and Tonbridge, with priests |
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 The Bishop of Coventry with ordinands |
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 Leicester deacons on retreat with Launde Abbey |
2 comments:
So the face of C of E ministry is overwhelmingly that of a middle aged or older woman?
Where will this leave parishes in 5-7 years?
LT
Hmm - not to worry - it's a bit like the age profile of yer congregation - I mean Church is an acquired taste, rather like a malt whisky; you don’t expect young people to appreciate it. I mean, cmon, people were concerned about the way the Church was losing young people in the 1960s. Look around. They are back. What were the worthies of the Church doing in the 1960s and 1970s? Yesterday’s “tomorrow’s church” is today’s church; today’s “tomorrow’s church” is tomorrow’s church. So where will this leave parishes in 5-7 years? Exactly as they are today - today's young men (and women) will have matured - like some single malt or vintage port
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