Presbyterian Church of Wales to Vote on Major Restructuring Amid Falling Membership

The Presbyterian Church of Wales is set to vote on a major restructuring plan at its General Assembly in Porthmadog, aiming to address a significant decline in membership. The church has experienced an average annual reduction of 8% since 2020, with 11,430 members across 443 congregations. Of these, 275 are under the age of 25, highlighting concerns about the church’s ability to engage younger generations.

The restructuring plan, developed through a year-long consultation involving regional associations, boards, and the Wrexham Conference, seeks to strengthen local ministry, reduce administrative pressures, and simplify governance structures. Church leaders emphasize that the proposals represent a unified strategy to address the challenges facing the denomination.

A key focus of the plan is to support smaller rural congregations, which are grappling with aging memberships and a shortage of ministers. The proposals also aim to shift Presbyteries toward a more relational and mission-oriented role, reinforcing the church’s commitment to community engagement and spiritual growth.

Other elements of the restructuring include reducing administrative burdens, publishing a governance responsibility map, and developing a costed staff support model by autumn 2026. The church also plans to view its buildings as community assets, with guidance on their reuse, funding, and heritage considerations.

Rev Nan Powell Davies, the General Secretary, emphasized that the consultation has provided both a mandate and a warning. She noted that while there is broad agreement that the current system is too heavy, too opaque, and too thinly resourced, reform must avoid centralization, uncosted administrative exercises, or withdrawal of support from vulnerable congregations. She described the upcoming vote as a critical moment for the denomination.

The General Assembly will meet on 6–7 July at Capel y Porth in Porthmadog, where the final decision on the restructuring plan will be made. The outcome of this vote will shape the future direction of the Presbyterian Church of Wales as it seeks to navigate the challenges of declining membership and evolving community needs.

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