Role-Related Stress among Non-Licensed Lay Leaders in the Church of England

Abstract This study uses data from 717 Church of England lay leaders collected by the online Church 2024 survey. Lay leaders were defined as churchwardens, officers of a Parochial Church Council (PCC) or leaders of church groups such as children’s, music, choir or home groups. The study assesses leader’s perceptions of stress, support, training and likelihood of finding replacements for their role. Although most lay leaders indicated low levels of stress, 34% agreed they were often stressed, 21% that they felt overwhelmed by administration and 23% that they would give up if there was someone else to do their role. The four-item Lay Leader Stress Scale assesses role-related stress levels in relation to personal, psychological, contextual and ecclesial factors. Stress was higher among those with a disposition to emotional volatility (neuroticism), Anglo-Catholics, PCC officers and those with more than one lay leadership role. It was lower among Evangelicals and those in larger congregations. Most respondents felt well supported by their clergy and congregations, but most PCC officers (especially churchwardens and secretaries) felt ill-prepared for their roles and that their church would struggle to replace them. Implications for churches in the light of the fragile church hypothesis are discussed.