Monday, February 05, 2007

funding church buildings

The funding of building repairs is a growing burden and one which is pushing many parish budgets to breaking point and some people feel that the government should be contributing to a much greater extent to supporting what is essentially a community asset. Thanks to the initiative of Mr Bill Blake, a parishioner in Bristol diocese, an on-line petition is now available on the Downing Street website, encouraging the Government to provide more financial help for repair of C of E church buildings. The problem of funding repairs to church buildings goes much wider than the C of E alone, and this valuable local initiative is generally in line with the motion passed at last February's General Synod calling for greater government support, and with discussions currently taking place with Government Departments.

The petition reads:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to arrange for the cost of repairs to C of E church buildings to be reimbursed to help preserve our archaeological & historic heritage for the future.
"Churches are a valuable part of our heritage and a major tourist attraction, yet the funding of repairs is left to the parish in which the building is situated. Thus the cost of maintaining a national asset is left to the minority. This is grossly unfair and should be rectified."

Anyone wishing to sign up simply has to go to:

As you may have read in the press regarding road taxes these petitions do have the capacity to highlight an issue and now this has been set up it would be good to ensure the government is aware that this is a real problem faced by virtually all parishes.

3 comments:

Tristan said...

As much as I love churches I think this is fundamentally wrong.
The state should not be funding this, just as it should not fund charities.

I would gladly contribute to a charity dedicated to restoring old churches if the government didn't tax us so much, I'm sure others would.
Let individuals decide how to spend their money, its only liberal to do so.

Unknown said...

DEAR PASTOR,

PRAISE BE TO THE NAME OF THE LIVING GOD FOR THE WONDERFUL AND
MARVELOUS WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING IN HIS KINGDOM.ITS MY PRAYER THAT
HIS LETTER FINDS YOU WELL IN THE LORD.

IM VERY HAPPY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IM INTERESTED IN JOINING YOUR
MINISTRY AND MY REQUEST TO YOU TO HELP OUR MINISTRY STAND AND GROW AS
WE REACH OUT THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL (THE GREAT COMMISSION), WE DO
INVITE AND WELCOME YOU BRETHRENS TO JOIN HANDS TOGETHER WITH US IN
EVANGELISM.THE NAME OF THE CHURCH IS RESTORATION WORSHIP CENTER CHURCH
LOCATED IN KAMPALA, HERE IN UGANDA, ON THE LAND OF AFRICA. WE DO HAVE ALSO
OTHER MINISTRIES LIKE BACKYARD YOUTH MINISTRY, KINGDOM KIDZ/SUNDAY SCHOOL,
AND WOMENS MINISTRY.

YOU MAY USE THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES TO CONTACT ME.

RESTORATION WORSHIP CENTER CHURCH
P.O BOX 30807 KAMPALA , UGANDA , EAST AFRICA
PHONE +256-0712-684023
EMAIL jrsenoga@gmail.com
MY ZIP CODE 256

JOSEPH SENOGA RICHARD

Pastor Vinod Chacko said...

Praise the Lord
Respected Sir,

I am pastor Vinod from INDIA . we are a growing church back in Karnataka state which is one of the darkest state in INDIA, recently in april 10 we had a attack on our church from Hindu Extremists and everything police came and ceased our hall vehicle and arrested us . because any prayers which are conducted in rented hall is considered as a illegeal activity and now Government is putting pressure that if you want to comntinue buy your own land and build a church building .we are seeking upon LORD .if you could do some help let me know Sir ,now I am in US and my number is 630 815 7563. and some of the link we had persecution are given below. God bless you all.

http://www.persecution.in/category/location/mysore

videio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgmPBQ_I3Os