CofE statistics show decrease in church attendance/increase in clergy and giving

http://www.evangelicals.org/news.asp?id=932

[EV News] 26 Oct 2008--The Church of England website reports that new Church of England statistics for 2006/07 show a fall in the attendance of weekly congregations (down one per cent), but found that Christmas and Easter congregations had increased by seven and five per cent respectively.

The statistics also show increases in the number of clergy being trained and ordained. The Church ordained 552 new clergy in 2007, an increase on the 481 ordained in 2006 and the highest number since the year 2000. Overall, 262 women and 290 men were ordained in 2007, though just over half (52%) of these were ordained to non-stipendiary ministry. Of those ordained to full-time, stipendiary ministry, 162 were men and 102 were women.

The statistics also show increases in the amount parishioners are giving to the church. Giving to parish churches averaged £5.38 per electoral roll member per week and gift aid giving increased to an average of £8.64 per giver per week in 2006 (up from £5.08 and £8.26 respectively in 2005). The number of parishioners subscribing to tax-efficient regular giving through Gift Aid rose to a further record of 527,000.

Declining attendance and increased giving are signs of a seriously declining church.