I have three rural parishes in East Sussex, in an area of England called the Weald. For England, it’s quite off the beaten track. I’ve got three medieval parishes; we have three church buildings within three miles and each one has a congregation of between twenty and sixty. So keeping these buildings going is one challenge. It’s a drain on our resources, actually, which would probably be better used growing the church and doing mission and evangelism. But the buildings are a resource as well. And also, of course, it’s not a trendy place to minister, though I find it very rewarding. There are signs of hope and growth, but ministry is very lonely here. I’m the only minister in these three parishes. And between keeping the buildings standing, preaching and leading Sunday worship, and taking a funeral every two weeks, I need to try to develop a strategic idea about how to get God known on the streets.

Two Anglican priests, one in England and one in Canada, trade notes on the state of their parishes and their hope for the future.