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Some were pragmatic:
(Both) - Our approach is partly governed by what people
want or are prepared to do or give"
(Both) - "The 'mixed' economy seems very popular".
Whilst several commented on special events having a social as well as
a financial value:
(Both) - "... but we will always have regular social events
- they are a vital part of parish (and village) life"
(Weekly) - "Social events (non 'profit making') are organised
however to maintain a 'family' feeling within the
Church"
(Both) - "... social events in the calendar ... do tend to
bring villagers together, including non-conformists" .
But reading through them all there seems to be a trend of dissatisfaction
with, or at least of uncertainty about, the reliability of any particular
method. Very few treasurers were able to make comments such as "the
congregation is aware of its responsibilities" or "When extra commit-
ments arise, the money is always forthcoming, all we do is simply ask
for what we need". The first of those two comments came from a parish
relying on weekly income, the second from one which "will not have
stewardship in any guise". It does seem that this is an area in which
dogmatic viewpoints are not justified, but they are, and no doubt
sincerely, held. The strength and diversity of them makes external
analysis difficult, yet this has now brought us right down to the sub-
ject of parish resourcefulness which is the basic foundation on which
any diocesan financial structure must rest, and one which we therefore
cannot ignore. Perhaps the best we can do is to suggest that it merits
further research, but that that research may need to be as much sociolo-
gical as financial in content.
