Measures of the General Synod used principally in the work of Pastoral Division

The following Measures, which we have reproduced under the terms of Crown Copyright Policy Guidance issued by HMSO, may be downloaded as separate WORD documents by clicking on the links below.

NOTE: All the Measures below have, where applicable, been updated to take account of relevant new legislation including the Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 and the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2006 (unless otherwise stated). Our aim is to keep the Measures up to date with amendments but we cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.

Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007

The Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 is aimed at making new and more flexible provision for the Church’s structures and procedures so as to facilitate its mission for the 21st Century.  It is the most substantial piece of legislation to come before the General Synod for over 20 years, and aims to make better provision for the cure of souls and to assist in furthering the Church’s mission in the broadest sense.  Further information on this Measure, including notes and explanations to complement the text of the legislation, may be found here.

Pastoral (Amendment) Measure 2006

The Pastoral (Amendment) measure 2006 amended Section 56 of the Measure to allow for the lease of part of a church building without closing any part for regular public worship. A guide to this amendment is available here.

Civil Legislation

The Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2006 which came into effect on 1 October 2006 substituted the Diocesan Board of Finance for the Commissioners as the body entitled to receive copies of statutory notices in the vacancy of benefices or as the body entitled to receive proceeds of Compulsory Purchase Orders, etc. For details of changes to the 31 civil Acts etc click here.

Pastoral Measure 1983

A Measure designed to make better provision for the cure of souls including arrangements for pastoral reorganisation, dealing with the future of churches declared redundant and the rights of interested parties.

Parsonages Measure 1938 (1 December 2007)

A Measure providing for the sale, purchase and improvement etc of parsonage houses and land belonging to benefices and the rights of interested parties.

Parsonage Measure (Amendment) Rules 2007 (1 May 2007)

(includes recommended Notice Forms 1-7)

Rules to be followed by Diocesan Parsonages Boards when serving notice on Patrons and PCCs (or Churchwardens) of proposed sales, exchange, building, purchases, disposition of proceeds etc. of parsonages together with statutory forms of Notice.

Repair of Benefice Buildings Measure 1972

A Measure providing for the repair and management of parsonage houses, including details of quinquennial inspection reports, financial matters and the rights of interested parties.

Endowments and Glebe Measure 1976

A Measure which deals with the management of diocesan glebe holdings, including sale, purchase, letting and the investment of proceeds and the rights of interested parties.

New Parishes Measure 1943

A Measure dealing with the acquisition of land for church/churchyard/burial ground/church hall/parsonage etc purposes and for the disposal of unconsecrated land no longer required for that purpose.

Diocesan Stipends Fund Measure 1953

A Measure dealing with the use and management of the Diocesan Stipends Funds (Capital and Income Accounts).

Church Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1960

A Measure which made certain provisions for church land, notably by amending the New Parishes Measure 1943 and the Parsonages Measure 1938.

Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986

A Measure which provided for the registration of patrons, for the respective roles of the patrons, Parochial Church Councils, Bishops, Archbishops and designated officers in appointing incumbents to benefices and for the rights of interested parties.

Other Measures

The full text of every Church of England Measure since 1 January 1988 is available at the Office of Public Sector Information website.

If you have a general enquiry or comments about these web pages please contact Fiona McKenzie.