Structure
The Church in Wales is a province consisting of six dioceses. Each Diocese contains archdeaconries. The archdeaconries contain parishes which are further structured for team mission and ministry in one or more types of grouping. The exact grouping will be dependent on the local needs, but each Diocese will have a consistent structure throughout its archdeaconries. Our structures have recently undergone, or are currently undergoing, a re-organisation which lends a fluidity to the groupings currently in use.
Dioceses
The Church in Wales is made up of six dioceses. Each Diocese is led by a Diocesan Bishop.
Archdeaconries
Archdeaconries are areas within dioceses, each supported by an Archdeacon who aids the Bishop in the ministry of the Diocese. Archdeaconries may or may not be further divided into Deaneries.
Deaneries
Deaneries are groupings of Mission / Ministry Areas which are co-ordinated by an Area Dean. The post of Area Dean is usually held by a senior cleric within the Deanery.
Ministry / Mission Areas
A Mission or Ministry Area is a grouping or team of Churches, Parishes or Benefices within a geographic area who work together to share operational and administrative functions. Ministry / Mission Areas may be further split into benefices or parishes. Clerics will be assigned to a Ministry Area although they may be assigned to a specific area of responsibility. Each Ministry / Mission Area will have a Leader.
Benefices
A benefice can comprise one or more parishes which have been grouped together to share resources and support each other. Please remember that benefice names are ecclesiastical in origin, and may not bear any relation to the civil name of the locality.
Parishes
The Church in Wales is made up of over 380 parishes. In some Dioceses the Parish and Ministry / Mission Area are one and the same. If you live in Wales, you will live in a parish. Each parish covers a small geographic area. Parishes comprise one or more churches with operational responsibilities shared between them.