The Parochial Church Council

Stiperstones and The Long Mynd

The Shropshire Hills - Stiperstones and The Long Mynd

Ecclesiastical legislation requires each Church of England parish to elect a council (called the Parochial Church Council or PCC for short) through which lay members participate in the administration of the parish’s affairs.  Its members must be on the ecclesiastical parish’s electoral roll and it must hold an Annual Meeting.

The PCC is not the same as a parish council, which is within the local government structure and is responsible for a civil parish although, quite coincidentally, individuals may serve on both. 

In effect, the PCC is a committee with a chairman (often the vicar or rector), a treasurer, a secretary and elected members.  Working closely with the PCC, churchwardens, usually two, look after the finances, the fabric and contents of the church and the churchyard.  They, and others who serve the church by being on synods (assemblies at higher levels of the church’s management structure) or by being licensed lay readers, are ex-officio on the PCC.

The PCC may delegate its powers and work to sub-committees, but you do not have to be a member of the PCC to serve on one.  The following committees in Pontesbury are typical of those found in parishes throughout the country:

The PCC ratifies all expenditure and is concerned with items such as equipment for the kitchen or children’s play area, charitable giving, sound and recording systems, repairs and maintenance, cleaning, display and notice boards, health and safety, choir robes and website design.

There are also groups of people, who again do not have to be PCC members, who are involved in particular areas of the church’s ministry.  Examples are the choir, bell ringers, pastoral visitors, flower arrangers and the all age worship band.

So it can be seen that whilst the PCC directs the affairs of the parish, there are many opportunities for people to become involved in the life and work of the church.

Minsterley show held at Lea Cross in Pontesbury Parish

Minsterley show held at Lea Cross in Pontesbury Parish