What we talk about when we talk about class: discourse about the working class in the Church of England General Synod 2018–2022

Tyndall, Rebecca

Abstract

The Church of England struggles to talk clearly about class. This article examines discourse in the Church of England General Synod to consider both the language and themes which appear when middle-class Anglicans discuss class. It is an attempt to ‘turn the gaze’ on the powerful who allude to class whilst rarely using explicit language, preferring instead to talk about ‘the poor’, ‘disadvantaged’ and ‘deprived’. The article analyses why euphemistic reference to class are a problem, using Synod as an example. It explores three recurring themes – good news stories, leadership and church history – arguing that when these themes occur the working classes are largely presented as homogenous, lacking in agency and in need of a heroic church. The article argues that a theologically robust vision is necessary for the dismantling of classism in the Church. It outlines some promising theological starting points taken from General Synod and recent theological work by working-class theologians.

Citation

Tyndall, R. (2024). What we talk about when we talk about class: discourse about the working class in the Church of England General Synod 2018–2022. Practical Theology, 17(1), 40-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/1756073x.2023.2271741

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 2, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jan 5, 2024
• Publication Date: Jan 2, 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 15, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 15, 2024
• Journal: Practical Theology
• Print ISSN: 1756-073X
• Electronic ISSN: 1756-0748
• Publisher: UK and Irish Association for Practical Theology
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 40-55
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1756073x.2023.2271741
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2384205