Church of England faces financial crisis amid rising bureaucracy

The Church of England is facing significant financial instability, with 37 of its 42 dioceses currently reporting deficits. According to a study titled ‘Wasted Money in a Diminishing Church’ by theologian Robin Gill and economist John Craven, the church’s administrative staff has grown by approximately 80 percent over the last two decades, increasing from roughly 1,300 employees in 2005 to over 2,300 in 2025.

While the number of paid clergy and congregations has declined, the administrative apparatus has expanded to include roles for climate change initiatives and racial justice. The church leadership has pledged a total of £290 million toward its green agenda and a fund to address its historical links to slavery, including £190 million specifically for its net-zero program.

Researchers warn that the current administrative scale is unsustainable, noting that in some dioceses, the number of administrative workers on the payroll is now equal to the number of clergy members.