The Parish - Running a CofE Franchise

Many years ago when the earth was young I sat through a lecture on fiscal prudence. The learned gentleman giving the lecture talked about the phenomenon of franchising. As he did, I realised that this is exactly what CofE churches are and how the minister is indeed a soul trader!

The principle of franchising lies in the siting of outlets in places which give then a niche market which relies upon the product and the name. I was amazed at some of the names that were rattled off and the variety of sectors represented. McDonald's  (food), Snap-On (automotive tools), Rhythm Time (early years music education) and many more that I recognised. There were all these sole traders being granted licences to use a big name and run it as their own. This is in essence exactly what happens with an Anglican Church (and many other denominations too!).

So let's look at what it takes to be a soul trader using the name 'Church of England' and what needs to considered in your local branch of the franchise you are running with three little rules:

i. The first real advantage is that you have a brand name that people recognise and (even today) generally trust. This means that people expect a certain set of standards from your operation and will also assume that you are as good as the others they've experienced. This is helpful in getting people in to the building but if they find that you're a naff outlet, despite the name they will select a different brand of the same product and continue to consume the product from a different supplier.

If this is the case then you need to examine your premises, the management and the staff. In this particular franchise we usually prefer the terms, church building, Clergy (or leadership team) and congregation and ask some telling questions, like:

• Are we inviting in terms of our building and in the people who are customer-facing?
• Are the people who deal with the customer (sorry enquirer or potential member) friendly and welcoming?
• Are there any 'value added' benefits associated with shopping (sorry worshipping) with us?

Answering these is a great step forward when it comes to attracting, winning and keeping customers (I mean members!). There are many other outlets looking to attract away your membership and will do so in many different ways (still smiling and being your friend). This, in the trade is called 'sheep stealing' and is something to be frowned at but never imitated because as a rule the sheep who move on that easily will do so again just as easily the next time - just wait until they come back to you and enjoy the ninety-nine you've kept - forget the parable on this one!

ii. When you take on a franchise there is a requirement that you pay the franchiser a certain sum of money and that you also pay a percentage of the income you generate. Running your CofE franchise is no different as you will find yourself paying parish share on an annual basis and you'll also be assigning income from occasional offices to the head office too! Don't begrudge paying this and if you do, then there are other francises out there who will be only too happy to have you go out and get a job, buy a home and enjoy running an outlet for them in your spare time. You do have a choice with this and remember - If You Don't Like It, The Choice Is Yours.

iii. Make sure you know what the product is. After all, burgers differ with the outlet they come from and examining Burger King, McDonald's, KFC and Wimpy will show you how different a burger product can be. If you don't want women's ministry in your burger then make the right selection. If you're not keen on offering infant baptism then don't look at CofE but try one of the other anabaptist flavours. It's commonsense that you do this and yet I meet so many proprieters (clergy) who seem to want to leave out those very ingredients that make the CofE product just that little bit different with its thirty-nine flavourings!

Having done this and satisfied yourself you will be accepting a proven business model and a brand that people come to (at least three times in their lives). You will have the benefit of having other franchisees in your area and meetings are held to ensure that standards and good business is evident (we call these chapter meetings - and like some chapters, they're not always easy reading!!

There are of course some downsides to this franchise in that you will be expected to deliver a core set of products, each of which will be expected to reach certain quality criteria (i.e. Biblical, orthodox, etc.). As long as you do this there is a great deal of latitude to be found in that you can wear robes, use old versions of services (1662), swing from chandeliers and have rainbow coloured guitar-strapped Kumbayah singers or whatever - the world is your oyster!
  
So - what are you waiting for - contact your local DDO or bishop now!