Jobless should be vicars says bishop
The Bishop of Lichfield has offered jobless Staffordshire youngsters an unlikely way to secure long-term employment – by suggesting they become priests.
The Bishop of Lichfield has offered jobless Staffordshire youngsters an unlikely way to secure long-term employment – by suggesting they become priests.
Right Reverend Jonathan Gledhill has launched a campaign to draw more young people into the Church of England – and wants half of all deacons and priests ordained each year to be under 35 years of age. The Church of England is under pressure nationally to increase young membership as an increasing number of clergymen head toward retirement.
Lichfield Diocese has created its own purpose-built website called 'It might be God' to promote reasons why youngsters should join the Church, including photographs and contributions from successful young ordinands.
The bishop said: "More and more young people in the West Midlands are going to be made jobless this year. Already the percentage is higher than anywhere else in England.
"It is particularly depressing for those who have never had the opportunity to work to find themselves at the back of a long queue.
"One of the most satisfying careers of all is to spend one's creative energies in building Christian community, preaching and teaching the Christian faith, leading worship, making new disciples, transforming communities."England needs more young vicars. God is not bound by recessions."
The number of deacons ordained by Lichfield Diocese, which includes Staffordshire, north Shropshire and much of the Black Country, is consistently increasing and reached 25 in 2009.
But only 22 per cent of those ordained are under the age of 35, and the figure plummets to 13 per cent nationally.
Diocese spokesman Gavin Drake said the Church faces 'crisis' if younger members do not come forward.
He added: "It's something we need to address. It's an appealing life choice."
Youngsters interested in joining the clergy are first sent to theological college, at the expense of the Church, before working their way up to be curates and deacons.
For more information visit the new site at:www. itmightbegod.org
