Parish clergy
The parish is at the heart of the Church of England. The priest responsible for a parish or group of parishes may be called a vicar, rector, team rector, team vicar or priest-in-charge. These titles have legal and historical differences, although their everyday pastoral work may look similar. Parish clergy lead worship, preach, conduct baptisms, weddings and funerals, visit the sick, support the community and help the congregation grow in faith and service.
Stipendiary, self-supporting and retired clergy
Some clergy receive a stipend: financial support that enables them to carry out their ministry, rather than payment for each task they perform. Some also occupy clergy housing. Self-supporting Ministers normally receive no stipend and may combine ministry with paid employment or retirement. Retired clergy often continue to assist when they hold the bishop’s permission to officiate.
Curates and other ministers
A curate is usually a recently ordained minister completing a period of supervised training, although the word can also mean an assistant priest more generally. Parishes may also be served by licensed lay ministers—often called Readers—as well as authorised lay worship leaders, pastoral assistants and others. The exact titles and arrangements vary between dioceses.
The PCC
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is the principal governing body of a parish. It shares responsibility with the incumbent for the Church’s mission and ministry and deals with matters such as finance, safeguarding, insurance, buildings and the practical organisation of parish life. Most PCC members are also charity trustees and therefore carry legal responsibilities.
Churchwardens and parish officers
Churchwardens are the parish’s senior elected lay officers. Usually two are chosen each year. They work closely with the clergy, represent the laity and have particular responsibilities for the church building, its contents and the orderly conduct of worship. A PCC will also normally have a secretary and treasurer, together with a safeguarding officer and other role-holders.
The wider team
Much of parish life depends on volunteers: sidespeople and welcomers, lesson readers, intercessors, musicians, bell-ringers, servers, flower arrangers, cleaners, coffee-makers, children’s leaders, pastoral visitors and many more. Some roles require election, appointment, authorisation, training or safeguarding checks; others are arranged informally. Without this largely unpaid team, most parishes could not function.