The whole people of God, including the clergy, are part of a living church present in communities throughout the world, says Savi Hensman. But the centrality of an empowered laity to a liberating faith can often be lost amidst debilitating church squabbles.

In a move which could signal a longer-term shift in its ministry, the role of deacons as missionaries to their local communities should be taken more seriously, argues a report from the Church of England’s Faith and Order Advisory Group published last week.