From the 1st September 2025 , the Area Dean of Malvern and Upton assumes responsibility for Christchurch Malvern . This is the first example of the Oversight Ministry in the Deanery and comes into being as a consequence of the recent Health & Sustainability audit process. Christchurch continues to be a standalone parish with its own PCC and will not form part of the Old Hills Malvern Benefice where Rev Gary is the Incumbent. It is hoped that this alternative method of support can be expressed further across the Deanery. Rev Gary said “this is an innovative way of supporting two sets of different parishes for the common good of furthering God’s kingdom in these parts. Christchurch was thought be be a church in decline and was even rumored for closure but has steadily responded to God’s call and kept on going as it supports a real community need for worship and occasional offices in their part of the town. I am immensely grateful for all the work that Rev James Williams and his team from MLwC parish have done to support Christchurch over the last few years and I look forward to continuing that relationship, especially with regards to sustaining the worship rota. Christchurch will also be taking part in a Funeral ministry pilot in conjunction with the Pershore and Evesham Deanery. I am also hopeful that another innovative link up with another worship setting will also be possible too whilst maintaining our strong pastoral presence to the community that sees Christchurch as their church”.