SMMIB reflections - Church of England - The Arthur Rank Centre

Invitation to Share Insights on SMMIB Funding and Rural Ministry

Dear colleague,

We are inviting you to contribute to a summary of rural experiences with SMMIB funding.

This aims to bring together insights from dioceses working in rural contexts, sharing both successes and areas where SMMIB funding might be adapted to better meet rural needs.

The Arthur Rank Centre seeks to provide dioceses with an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences, offering a collaborative perspective on how SMMIB funding impacts our rural churches. This summary could also serve as a constructive resource for the Church Commissioners or others considering how to best support rural ministry.

Your input would be invaluable, and we’d welcome any reflections on:

Effective use of SMMIB funding within your diocese
Challenges that may be unique to rural contexts, where additional support could be impactful
Ideas for enhancing funding’s responsiveness to rural ministry needs

Thank you for considering this opportunity to add your voice to a shared rural perspective. Please feel free to share your thoughts or let me know if you’d like to discuss this further.

Blessings,
Revd Matt Jeffrey
Chief Executive Officer – The Arthur Rank Centre

Your responses

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with SMMIB funding in a rural ministry context. Your insights are invaluable in helping us understand the unique challenges and successes that rural dioceses encounter with this funding model.

Confidentiality: Please rest assured that your responses will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. We will use your feedback to create an aggregated summary that reflects collective insights without identifying specific individuals or dioceses.

Permission to Share: If you would be open to having your experiences shared more broadly—either attributed or anonymously—please indicate this below. Your willingness to share could help inform and guide other dioceses and potentially support wider discussions on enhancing SMMIB funding for rural ministry.

Diocesan SMMIB reflections

1. General Overview - What is your diocese’s overall experience with SMMIB funding? (e.g., has it been generally supportive of rural ministry, or are there areas where it falls short?)(Required)

2. Successes with SMMIB Funding - Can you share specific examples of SMMIB-funded initiatives that have had a positive impact in your diocese? What made these initiatives successful in a rural context?(Required)

3. Challenges Unique to Rural Ministry - Have you encountered any challenges in using SMMIB funding effectively for rural ministry? If so, please describe. What specific rural needs or characteristics do you feel are not fully addressed by SMMIB funding?(Required)

4. Adjustments and Improvements - Are there adjustments to SMMIB funding that you believe would enhance its impact on rural ministry? What specific changes could make this funding more responsive to the needs of rural churches and communities?(Required)

5. Local Innovation and Solutions - Have there been any local innovations or creative solutions that have helped address rural ministry needs, either with or without SMMIB funding? How could these approaches be supported or scaled through more tailored funding?(Required)

6. Feedback on Process and Accessibility - How would you describe the process of accessing and applying for SMMIB funding in your diocese? Are there any barriers or areas for improvement?(Required)

7. Additional Comments or Reflections - Do you have any other reflections or insights on SMMIB funding that you would like to share?(Required)

Would you be willing to share your current Diocesan rural strategy with the ARC for these purposes?

Consent Question: Would you be willing for your responses to be shared with others?(Required)

Your Name(Required)

Your Diocese(Required)

Your contact details(Required)

Thank you again for your thoughtful contributions to this important work. Together, we can help ensure that rural ministry receives the understanding and support it deserves.

Invitation to Share Insights on SMMIB Funding and Rural Ministry

Your responses

Diocesan SMMIB reflections

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