Diocesan Synod Motion on Using Buildings as Community Assets
In November 2025 Diocesan Synod approved a motion brought by Christchurch Deanery Synod and amended by Bishops Council. The motion was:
This Synod:
Takes note of the proposal from Christchurch Deanery Synod and their highlighting of the Hereford Diocesan Toolkit, Crossing the Threshold, due to be updated in 2026.
Requests all Deanery Synods to review and collate the current usage and facilities of all church buildings across their deanery, reporting back to Diocesan Synod within 9 months.
Instructs the Diocesan Team, to support Deanery Teams in this work, providing templates and guidance to aid the process, and for collating the final results at a diocesan level.
More information about this motion can be found in the documents below:
- Christchurch Deanery Synod Motion
- Christchurch Deanery Motion – Paper From Bishops Council
- Example of Church Building as Community Asset – Appendix 1 to Motion
- Example of Church Building as Community Asset – Appendix 2 to Motion
In response we’re inviting all PCC’s to complete a buildings survey. This is an opportunity for PCC’s and Deaneries to review their building usage and explore new opportunities to serve our communities as well as develop alternative income streams. We also hope these surveys will help the Diocesan Team identify opportunities to support parishes making use of their buildings.
Crossing The Threshold – Hereford Diocesan Toolkit
Considering your buildings current use may inspire a PCC to explore or review how they can use their buildings to serve the community. There are many ways this can be done. Three key steps might be:
- Reviewing you current building use – We hope this building survey will help with this.
- Considering the needs of your community – The PCC might conduct a community audit.
- Develop a vision for how the local church can help – Whether it’s hosting or facilitating a service, event or group.
To support PCC’s in this work, Hereford Diocese have developed ‘Crossing The Threshold’, a toolkit for parishes looking to review their buildings use or manage a building project. It contains many helpful guides including ‘Undertaking a Community Audit’, ‘Developing Your Vision’ and fundraising guides. The toolkit can be found here: https://www.hereford.anglican.org/parish-support/community-partnership/crossing-the-threshold-toolkit/
Please note: Parishes are not required to complete or use the guide for the Buildings Survey, it is simply provided as a useful guide for PCC’s looking to take this work further.
Sometimes projects may require changes to a building layout, facilities or fabric. Remember to contact the Diocesan Church Buildings team who can help you in your planning and advise on any permissions requirements. You can find more resources and contact the team here: https://winchester.anglican.org/church-buildings/
Use of Church Buildings as Community Assets
As Christians we are called to serve our community, supporting those in need (Matthew 25:35-40, Isaiah 58:10) and to seek the prosperity of our local community (Jeremiah 29:7). Our buildings are a huge asset which we can use in our ministry to our communities.
Historically our buildings have been key assets in our communities. Naves in medieval church buildings acted as important meeting places, hosting a variety of events. In the 12th and 13th centuries churchyards were often used to host markets.
Many churches are already using their buildings to support and serve their communities through:
- Food and Clothes Banks:
- Community Café’s and community food stores:
- Meal Clubs:
- Retired Social Groups:
- Stay and Play Groups:
There also opportunities to generate income and provide a community service, like hosting a post office or shop, concerts, tourism events or art exhibitions. Her are some examples:
These are all examples of ways in which church buildings can be used as community assets, responding to God’s call to serve our community.
Many churches are already engaged in this work but may not have reviewed their activity or agreements with outside hirers for many years. Other PCC’s may not have considered using their buildings for this purpose. We hope this survey will help parishes to consider there current building use and any potential opportunities to use buildings for community use or income generation.
How To Complete The Survey
Below are links to the three (very short) surveys we are asking parishes to complete by 30th June 2026, but please note:
- Only complete the surveys relevant to the buildings your PCC owns or manages.
- Use the parish code at the top of this email to help us to identify you.
- Complete 1 entry of each form for each of the building types your PCC manages. For example if your PCC manages 2 church buildings and 2 church halls, please complete the church building form twice for each of your church buildings and the church hall form twice for each of your church halls.
The three surveys can be found here:
- Church buildings: Use of church buildings survey – Fill out form
- Church halls: Use of church halls survey – Fill out form
- Other buildings: Other buildings survey – Fill out form
For question notes, guidance and supporting documents see below:
Mapping Building Use
As part of this process you may find it helpful to map out a simple building use review for
each of your buildings. This is not required to complete the surveys, but it may help PCC’s to
understand the current use of their buildings, identify gaps and understand how it impacts
your income.
A template to help with this can be found here: https://winchester.anglican.org/wp
content/uploads/2026/03/Building-Review-Example-Doc.xlsx
Please note: PCC’s are not required to complete the above table in order to complete the
building survey.