It seems that Clergy have no ‘office-holder’ option when they fill in their census forms.
According to an announcement from St Albans diocese (scroll down), and no doubt others:
The Archbishops’ Council says:
(a) We very much regret that The Office for National Statistics has not provided a box that allows non-employee office holders to respond accurately.
(b) Clergy will have to decide whether to tick employee or self-employed, neither of which is accurate.
Considering all the fuss that has been made about the status of clergy as office-holders, this has to count as a #fail for the Archbishops’ Council.
Not really a #fail for the Archbishops’ Council: they weren’t the ones designing the Census. More of a #fail for Lockheed Martin and their ilk, as “office-holder” is not a category limited to clergy of the established church.
See “Working out your employment status” (!) at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Understandingyourworkstatus/Workersemployeesandselfemployment/DG_183505
and how do we describe what we actually do in 34 characters – I look forward to the suggestions flowing below!
Iofferthespotlesssacrificeofthemass.
At least one of my twitter pals has filled in the job description as “The cure of souls” – says it all in 17 characters!
In box 26 (employment status) we are asked to tick all that apply – so clergy could hedge their bets and tick employee, self-employed and “none of the above”!
but perhaps the computer would just spit the form out……
Richard said: “At least one of my twitter pals has filled in the job description as “The cure of souls” – says it all in 17 characters!”
Yes, but that would have to be recorded as a job-share with the Bishop because at the induction the mandate is given “receive the cure of souls which is both mine and thine”
I simply put “Ministry” – says it all in 8 characters! Beat that!
‘ministry’ is unbeatable ! Thanks David.
“Announce the kingdom of heaven” 31 characters
“Proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven” – 30 characters, and I like “proclaim” better than “announce.”
Although this story relates to a Methodist minister, it would appear to have wider implications:
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/court/Church-minister-wins-employment-rights/article-3351906-detail/article.html
Laurence
Possibly. I am going to report on this in a new article quite soon.