Church Representation Rules

Church Representation Rules is a vital tool for all those involved in parochial, diocesan and national Church governance.

This 2025 edition presents the new Church representation rules introduced in 2020, reflecting amendments made by six different pieces of legislation approved since the previous 2022 edition.

The current rules aim to simplify local church governance and enable parishes to adapt the rules to best serve ministry and mission in their contexts. For example, a group of churches may now form a joint parochial Church Council, thereby reducing the numbers of meetings required. in addition, the new rules provide for electronic communication and enable pCCs and other church bodies to hold virtual or hybrid meetings.

Amendments reflected in this edition include:

• new safeguarding requirements imposed on various church bodies and officeholders, ensuring compliance with the new safeguarding Code of Conduct.
• Governance reforms for cathedrals, particularly in relation to the governance and representation of parish church cathedrals
• amendments ensuring proper representation for the Channel islands within the new Diocese of Salisbury.

This edition also includes a revised introduction to the rules, together with explanatory notes on the new provisions and a comprehensive index.

If you need advice regarding the Church Representation Rules you should contact your diocesan registrar.