This is a new post which aims to help people in ministry in the Diocese of Lichfield to develop and flourish in their roles at a time of change. The post is specifically created as the Mission and Ministry teams work collaboratively helping shape a diocese for the future. The postholder will be accountable to both the Director of Ministry and the Mission Team Leader and will be a member of both the diocese’s Mission Team and Ministry Team. The role will support a variety of ministries including chaplaincies and school leaders alongside those in parish and new worshipping communities.

£40,000 per annum, plus pension

By developing a programme of training, learning, and development opportunities, this post seeks to:

• Help clergy and lay ministers grow in their discipleship, ministry and vocation;
• Help clergy and lay ministers adapt as ministry, diocesan life, and the world around us continues to change;
• Support the diocesan direction of travel and strengthen collaboration in mission and ministry within the diocese.

The postholder will discern priorities and an approach to ministry development by:

• Working in partnership with colleagues across our three episcopal areas, as well as mission and ministries teams;
• Working with the grain of our diocesan Direction of Travel and providing training/development support for diocesan strategies that emerge from that;
• Holding a broad understanding of ministry, to include chaplaincy, school leadership and pioneering fresh expressions as well as parish and church leadership;
• Seeking input and feedback from those in ministry in order to make activity relevant and to get commitment from the outset
• Reviewing, evaluating, and developing the programme year by year;

Using those priorities, the postholder will develop a range of opportunities, training and development for those in ministry in the diocese. This programme will provide both support and challenge to those in ministry, enabling and encouraging them to see themselves and their ministry afresh.

The postholder will develop programmes of opportunity, learning and development which will encourage:

• Ministry as enabling of others, participation in teams and building of partnership;
• Mission as the living out of a life of deep faith, commitment to scripture and whole-hearted prayer;
• The development of Christian character in ministry;
• Courage, openness and confidence in a time of change.

About the Diocese

Lichfield Diocese is one of the most diverse dioceses in the country. Rolling countryside and vibrant inner-city life nestle together in a region that takes in Staffordshire, the Potteries of Stoke-on-Trent, most of Shropshire and bustling Black Country centres including Walsall and Wolverhampton. The only thing we don’t have is the sea!

Our shared diocesan vision extends an invitation to all to “Come follow Christ in the footsteps of St Chad”.

As we follow Christ in the footsteps of St Chad, we pray that the two million people in our diocese encounter a church that is confident in the gospel, knows and loves its communities, and is excited to find God at work already in the world. We pray for a church that reflects the richness and variety of those communities and partners with others in seeking the common good, working for justice as a people of hope.

Further information about the Diocese is available at https://www.lichfield.anglican.org/

Enquiries: Revd Simon Foster

Closing date: 16th June 2023

Interviews: 27th June 2023