A 140-year-old Christian charity is proposing to significantly reduce its workforce and restructure to ensure its long-term financial sustainability.
Church Army, an Anglican mission agency, announced this week that it was consulting its 185 employees about a restructuring that could put “a considerable number of jobs at risk and result in the closure or transfer of key projects”.
The charity said the “significant organisational restructure” would ensure its long-term sustainability and effectiveness.
It has launched a collective consultation with staff before final decisions are made and will work with dioceses and partners “to explore sustainable paths forward to try to prevent the closure of key projects”.
A spokesperson could not confirm to Civil Society how many roles were at risk “due to ongoing conversations about transferring the work of some of our projects to other third-party organisations”.
Charity could run out of reserves in 12-18 months
Church Army said it “must refocus its resources to reduce its operating budget while ensuring greater alignment with its founding mission”.
“The charity has put forward plans for a strategic shift from running high-cost projects to focusing on training and equipping others for evangelism to support those facing poverty and distress,” it said.
Financial data filed with the Charity Commission shows that Church Army has used its reserves for the past five years at least to fund an ongoing operating deficit and protect services.
It reported a “higher than planned operating deficit” of £3.8m in the year to March 2024, which its accounts say was due to a “difficult external environment” affecting income and costs.
In its announcement yesterday, the charity said it needed “to act now” as the current trajectory would see it run out of reserves in 12-18 months.
The proposed downsizing and restructuring process will see it significantly reduce its workforce and budget by April 2026.
‘Incredibly tough decisions’
Church Army’s chief executive Matt Barlow said: “We’ve had to make incredibly tough decisions to ensure a financially sustainable future for Church Army that can deliver on our mission and charitable objectives.
“I feel deeply for every member of our team and the communities we serve who these proposed changes may impact.
“The changes aren’t a reflection of the passion and dedication our staff demonstrate every day in their work, nor a reflection of the positive impact we’ve had in the communities we serve.”
Barlow said his charity is “investing in compassionate transition support for affected staff, including career assistance and pastoral care”.
“We recognise the impact this will have on our staff and those we serve – especially individuals facing poverty and distress,” he said.
“We’re committed to providing support through this transition and ensuring that those affected receive appropriate care and support.”
‘We remain committed to financial integrity’
Barlow added that while the proposed resizing and restructuring of his charity is “immensely painful, we believe there is a bright future for Church Army”.
“Returning to our core mission of training and equipping not just commissioned evangelists but anyone with a sense of calling to mission and evangelism, especially to those facing poverty and distress.”
Chair Guli Francis-Dehqani said: “Our trustees have made this difficult decision alongside the leadership team with deep reflection and prayer, knowing that our responsibility is to sustain the work of this 140-year-old charity for future generations.
“We remain committed to financial integrity, transparency, and mission-driven action and open to what God might be leading us towards next.”
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