Do the "powers-that-be" really understand the issue of churches that have a small congregation and too many bills, raised by your correspondent (20 September)? Probably not, since the dioceses continue to demand more funds when on the ground so many churches seem to be crippled by financial pressure, and buildings represent such a huge drain. 

THERE is more than one party that has the responsibility for church buildings. As the primary "resident", the PCC has a primary part to play in the management, repair, and maintenance. But when the whole financial edifice is in danger of crumbling, what happens?

Recalling Margaret Thatcher's "no such thing as society, only family" misapprehension, I feel that such thinking is applicable here. The C of E has an identity as a whole, with concomitant roles and responsibilities, but its working out in worship and mission is wholly based on the work of parish churches. Without a diocese and all its parishes, a bishop is pretty much hot air.

If the bishop of the diocese is a leader, he will be thoroughly engaged and earthed in the issues on the ground in his parishes - in this case, their buildings and finances - and other diocesan staff should be earthed, too.

Currently, the parish churches are bearing the brunt of responsibility and also coming up with cash, while the power lies elsewhere. If nothing else, as pastors, and as dependants on parish finance, the diocesan staff are needed to make a significant difference in the struggling churches.

As an optimist, I believe that the astonishing assets of the C of E - its people, its buildings, and its parish system - are such that the present parlous state of the finances must be solvable. I also recognise the adage that if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

The financial culture of the C of E exacerbates the issues, and compounds the problems. On the whole, the Church has that old-school, cannot-talk-about-money attitude; or, when it does talk about money, it does so in the same old ways. New thinking is required, especially from those with power as well as responsibility. And the present system has a self-perpetuating culture: people appointed to positions of power are those who buy into the present hole-digging mentality.

It is time, instead, to engage in activity that inspires, enthuses, and supports, of course, but also makes some significant practical differences at the grass roots. The "people in the pews" are working their tails off: it is time to get inter-Church and across-the-diocese initiatives (or across-the-nation initiatives) that make a life-changing difference to the millstones around the necks of many congregations.

Each Sunday, I see wonderful, committed Christians doing the chores around worship at the expense of their own "time together with God". Don't we all, haven't we all, done them? But there must be a point where the chores can be set aside, and the worship can begin. Our buildings and finance must not be allowed to turn good people away.

Issues and questions to maggiedurran@virginmedia.com.