St Albans diocese recently (19 January) announced a grant of £2.3 million from the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB): £2.3m awarded to equip leaders and revitalise churches in our diocese and there are links from that page to further details about this.
The Church Times reported this on 22 January: St Albans diocese plans to put faith and funding in Soul Survivor.
This report, and in particular the headline, provoked negative reactions from many people who were shocked that apparently Soul Survivor was to benefit in some way as part of this. The diocese then issued on 23 January a “clarification”, sent by email to all diocesan clergy and readers, the full text of which is copied here below the fold. (At the time of writing it has not appeared on the diocesan website.)
Clarification regarding our strategic funding award
Many of you will have seen the recent Church Times article about the award of funding from the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB) to the Diocese. We want to clarify some inaccuracies and impressions that may have arisen, and reaffirm our commitment to survivors and safeguarding.
Clarifications
The headline in the Church Times article was misleading. Soul Survivor Watford will not receive any funding from the SMMIB award. They are one of several churches involved in the wider work planned across Watford, Luton, and Hatfield to revitalise local churches.
Soul Survivor has been invited to offer volunteer and resourcing support to Christ Church Watford as part of its revitalisation journey. Any such support would only happen at the invitation of the parish and under diocesan oversight, and it would not involve any controlling or governance role for Soul Survivor Watford.
It is also important to address that the article named one individual in a way that may have given rise to misunderstanding. Safeguarding, oversight, and decisions relating to Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment funding are exercised collectively through established and properly governed structures, not by any one person. Including an individual name in this context does not accurately reflect how responsibility or decision-making is held within the Diocese.
Our commitment to survivors
We acknowledge the seriousness of Mike Pilavachi’s abuse and remain deeply sorrowful for the harm caused. The apologies made publicly and directly to survivors are current and stand.
Much has been done to restore trust, rebuild credibility, and transform the culture at Soul Survivor Watford under its current leadership. This work is ongoing and will always continue.
Culture is paramount, but it must be underpinned by strong governance and accountability. The experience of Soul Survivor Watford and the abuse by Mike Pilavachi, through the lens of the Scolding Review, has shaped our approach to Bishops’ Mission Orders and all mission initiatives in the Diocese and across the wider Church of England. These changes set a benchmark for safeguarding and healthier culture going forward.
Looking ahead
We regret that some reporting has caused confusion about the nature of this funding. The Diocese has been awarded significant support to strengthen mission and ministry, and we want everyone to have accurate information about what this means for local churches.
Full details of the programme funded by the SMMIB award are available on our information hub.
Let us now focus on the purpose of this funding: to strengthen our ability to share the love of God through Jesus Christ with more people, through leadership development, mission in schools, and revitalising churches.
With every blessing
+Richard Bishop of Bedford
+Jane Bishop of Hertford