An urgent review of parish structure - including the number of churchwardens and other office-holders - is needed to release the time and energy of clergy and lay people for mission in rural areas, a report has recommended. The report, 'Released for Mission: Growing the rural Church', will be debated at General Synod next week. Two-thirds of C of E churches are in rural areas, but fewer than half the clergy serve in them. The vast majority of rural churches are in multi-parish benefices or groupings. Clergy working in multi-church groups - some of whom have as many as 11 or more churches to look after - report feelings of exhaustion, as they rush to conduct as many services in as many churches as possible each Sunday. The Bishop of Knaresborough, the Rt Revd James Bell, said, ‘Rural ministry must be re-thought in a way that is authentic to the place and people to whom the Church is reaching out.’