The Presbyterian Church of Wales will decide next week whether to adopt a wide-ranging restructuring plan aimed at reversing long-term membership decline.

The proposals will be considered at its General Assembly in Porthmadog. The church has reported an average annual fall in membership of 8% since 2020, with 11,430 members across 443 congregations. Of these, 275 are aged under 25.

The plan follows a year-long consultation across the denomination, involving regional associations, boards, departments and the Wrexham Conference. Church leaders say the result is a unified strategy intended to strengthen local ministry, reduce administrative pressures and simplify governance structures.

Key elements include a renewed focus on local congregations, particularly smaller rural churches facing ageing membership and shortages of ministers. The church also proposes shifting Presbyteries towards a more relational and mission-focused role.

Other proposals include reducing administrative burdens, publishing a governance responsibility map, and developing a costed staff support model by autumn 2026. Church buildings would be increasingly viewed as community assets, with guidance on reuse, funding and heritage considerations.

Commenting on the report, General Secretary Rev Nan Powell Davies said: "The consultation has given both a mandate and a warning. It grants permission to continue because there is broad agreement that the present system is too heavy, too opaque, and too thinly resourced for the Church now before us. However, it warns that reform will fail if it is perceived as centralisation, an uncosted administrative exercise, or a withdrawal of support from fragile congregations. It’s now do or die for us as a denomination."

The General Assembly will meet on 6–7 July at Capel y Porth in Porthmadog.