How Our Church Is Run
The Church of England is a fairly democratic institution that seeks to incorporate a variety of people as it makes decisions and moves forward. Bishops, priests and lay people sit in three ‘houses’ and discuss matters of politics, doctrine, finance and ethics which shape the way the church lives and works in the world. The Anglican Communion, of which the Church of England is part, looks to the Archbishop of Canterbury as a focus of unity and authority as he works with the various regional churches throughout the world.
At the local level, St Matthew’s Church is run through the cooperation of priest and church members. Individuals from the church community are elected to the Church Committee and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the church and shaping the way it celebrates God’s life in the life of our community and challenges the unjust structures of society.