who and what?

Christian stewardship is at the heart of the work of the Parish Funding Unit.

The aim is to work with churches throughout the length and the breadth of the Diocese of Lichfield to meet the challenge of communicating Christian stewardship as an integral part of church life.

Today, the department consists of Neil Bradley, the manager and Ian Law, consultant, supported by a part time administrator Kim Hodgkins.

Neil Bradley has specific responsibility for the Stoke Archdeaconry whilst Ian Law oversees the Archdeaconries of Walsall and Lichfield. Both have responsibility for the parishes in the northern half of Shropshire. Personal visits to PCCs, Deanery Synods and Finance Groups are undertaken.

Over the years the PFU has gained a wealth of experience and resources and in 2000 introduced a major initiative – Firm Foundations – a creative resource folder providing materials and ideas for churches. This has proved to be a useful and illuminating tool. Then in 2006 the PFU began the task of establishing the Parsih Givng Links network, which is now the most successful of its kind in the UK, giving parishes direct access to a variety of resources and guidance not always readily available. To date there are 146 Parish Giving Links in the Lichfield Diocese. For more details click here.

The PFU has a resource library and also offers guidance on fundraising issues but parishioner giving is its main concern.