Sometimes, wardens have been expected to shoulder this burden alone. We do not believe this is healthy. We are working to make sure three sorts of support are offered.
Firstly, teams are essential. Where a healthy, cheerful and effective team already exists within a church – such as a PCC or a Ministry Leadership Team – there may be no need to create a new team, and we certainly aren’t suggesting that any warden should feel burdened with a responsibility to create an extra committee where it isn’t needed.
However, we are concerned that some wardens, particularly where only one warden is serving in a benefice, are isolated or have no viable team to be a part of. This is not how it should be, and in these cases we propose the creation of a new team, as a normal part of church life, with responsibilities including as appropriate the leading of acts of worship, and the oversight, in cooperation with the incumbent and PCC, of several areas of church life.
Some churches call such teams “sidespeople”, “sidesmen”, “assistant wardens”, “deputy wardens” or “wardens’ team”. All members of such teams should have a full copy of the briefing document, and work out together how each of these items will be done, without the full weight of all of it falling on one person.
Certainly, in those parishes where services of worship without a clergyperson or licensed lay minister being present are becoming more common, it would be unhealthy for a warden to have sole responsibility for leading them. Such a team (or another team within a benefice) may also have the function of developing the skills of those with a vocation to be a churchwarden
Second, we are in the process of creating a mentoring scheme so that there is always an experienced warden on-hand to encourage and to answer questions.
Your archdeacon will be able to tell you more, or you could email the training team.
And third, we are determined to provide high-quality training on the kinds of issues mentioned on this website.
Some of this training will be online, some face-to-face. Keep an eye on this website for more details
Church of England Safeguarding Training
'Safeguarding is at the centre of our faith, in our practice, in our worship, in our praying, and in our believing'
These are the Church of England Safeguarding Training courses all Churchwardens are required to complete:
Safeguarding Leadership training
If you are a Churchwarden BUT also hold a Bishop’s Licence, Commission or Authorisation, you will need to complete the Leadership (virtual via zoom) Safeguarding Training every 3 years.
Safer Recruitment
If you are also a line manager or involved in the recruitment of Church Officers (employees, elected members, and volunteers) you will also need to complete Safer Recruitment and People Management (online),
Safeguarding support
For more information about Church of England Safeguarding Training please visit our Safeguarding Training webpage or contact The Diocesan Safeguarding Team by emailing safeguarding@chelmsford.anglican.org or calling 01245 294438 or 01245 294490.
