The C of E instead of placing its treasures in heaven has stored them all up on earth, and God is perhaps telling it to get back to basics. That’s if it can still remember what the basics are of course. Angela Gillespie, Ashford, Kent

Looking at the figures, the obvious answer to the Church's problems is clear and it is not selling off Church property. The answer lies in allowing clergy to work beyond retirement age. At the moment, we have the absurd situation where clergy are forced to retire whether they want to or not. Those clergy who want to carry on working could be ministering to parishes rather than idling on pensions. Nicholas Johnson, Manchester

If the Church of England is going to downsize the number of priests by a third, logically the same exercise ought to be applied to the present number of Bishops. Name and address withheld

Paid clergy are not essential to a church, nor are ornate buildings. As the director of local ministry in the Lichfield diocese (one of the largest), I believe it is possible for the Church to move from a body that is primarily clerical to one that is primarily a volunteer-based and resourced by some professionals. Elizabeth Jordon, Walsall

In the period of rapid church growth described in the Book of Acts, Christians met in each others’ homes. Likewise today, the most flourishing churches are those with an effective home group ministry. A “church” is not so much a building as a group of people with a common purpose. Where that purpose is strong enough to fill the building, keep the building. Where it is not, sell it. Charles Turpin, Luxembourg

The “conversion of England” has never been high in Anglican priorities. At the first Church Congress held in London in 1899, there was alarm at the absence of urban populations from parish churches, but it was the free churches - through their co-operative enterprise from the early 1890s - that attempted to make Christianity relevant to the working masses. Few churchgoers, in my experience, know much about their evangelical or pastoral forebears, and thus much debate runs on an empty tank. David Lazell, Loughborough

Meeting each other in homes? Hmmm, sounds rather biblical to me. I think that the Word says “that were two or three are gathered in my name, there will I also be”. So what is the great concern if the Church has no money? Isn’t that the way we started out in the first place? Rodney Trice, Wellington, New Zealand

Might I suggest that as a cost-cutting exercise the Church should review its policy of floodlighting its buildings? This is not only using up valuable money and energy but also contributing to light pollution. As an amateur astronomer, I would prefer to see the heavens before I die and would feel happier about giving the church more money if this practice was stopped. Michael Lockley, Leeds

I am a Christian and I love my faith, but I rarely go to church. If I saw a member of the clergy with a collection box while I was going about my everyday business I would donate willingly. But as it is now, where do we donate? Tez Anderson, Rugby

If the Church goes back to its Christian values there will be no problem with attendance or money. A Christian church that is all permissive and that has abandoned all Christian values, as has the Church of England, will fall and Christ will resurrect it in his own time and his own way. The Church of England is a church that serves man rather than God. Maynard Tolman, Rockport, Maine

Reduce the numbers of office staff; a large number of whom appear to be ordained. Do we need the command structure that presently exists within the Church? Name and address withheld

Actually, I don't think there should even be a Church of England. The reason for its founding was to allow the king to divorce. Is this a sound basis for the establishment of a religious body? Tommy Tune, Los Angeles

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