The Church of England’s General Synod has voted in favour of launching a national strategy to make ministry more accessible for people from working class backgrounds.
The motion was brought by Fr Alex Frost, vicar of St Andrew Apostle's church in Burnley.
He told the CofE’s parliament about his own experience getting into ministry, having worked as a retail manager at Argos. Irregular shift hours, and a lack of financial support made theological study seem out-of-reach. Prior to the debate, he told Premier Christian Radio: “There's lots of people out there who may have gone straight into work - I left school at 15. The idea that to become a priest, you need a degree level of study, it was frightening. It really was.”
This Synod coincides with National Apprenticeship Week. Fr Frost highlighted this to the Synod, recommending apprenticeships as one way which priesthood could become more accessible.
Fr Frost recounted a young man form his diocese, who felt alienated from pursuing a vocation, due to his tattoos and accent. When asked by a senior clergy member who his favourite artist was, the man replied: “Eminem”.
“I dare say,” said Fr Frost, “that many members sat in this chamber don’t know who Eminem is.” He highlighted the importance of fostering a diverse clergy in future years, with access to ordination the same, “whether you prefer Eminem or Bach”.
The debate was met with strong enthusiasm, and a standing ovation for Fr Frost’s speech.
Other members shared their experiences; lay member of the Synod Nicola Denyer, from the Diocese of Newcastle, grew up in a council house. She said: “I only started going to church in 2012.
“I didn’t have a clue what anybody was talking about when I walked in through the door. I didn’t understand the language, I didn’t know when to stand up or sit down. Nobody in my church spoke like I did.”
She added: “Believe you me, people in working class communities may have a deeper knowledge and love of God than some other people in more privileged circumstances.”
The motion is entitled: 'That this Synod welcome work that has already been done to encourage the ministry of people from working class backgrounds, and request the Ministry Development Board to go further in developing a national strategy for the encouragement, development and support of vocations, lay and ordained, of people from working class backgrounds and report back to Synod to debate that strategy within 12 months.'
It passed with a unanimous show of hands.