Last updated 19th December 2024

Information relating to new missional roles in the diocese

Background to the Diocesan Investment Programme

In June 2024 we were pleased to announce that the Diocese of Blackburn had been awarded a £25.5 million grant by the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board.  You can hear what Bishop Philip had to say about this when the announcement was made here. 

This grant has been developed into the Diocesan Investment Programme. The programme includes funding to deliver a range of activities, one of which is to enhance our work so that we can be a church reflecting the communities we serve.  Our aim is to move to being a younger church and a socio-economically diverse church. 

To enable this to happen we will be recruiting: -

• 30 new parish-based posts to form the ‘Ignite Team’ across Lancashire.  These individuals will work to build a church community to reach children, young people and families and support an increase in the numbers attending worship regularly.
• 18 parish-based Lay Pioneers.  These people will support mission in our urban churches; enabling greater outreach in these communities.

How Parishes can apply for these roles

Applying for one of these roles is through completion of an application process.  All the details about how to apply, the timescales, and process of application are explained in our Parish Guide which can be found here.

We know that parishes will have questions about this process and so have put together a 'frequently asked questions' document which we hope will answer any queries you have.  This document can be found here.  Please get in touch if you have questions that are not covered in this document so that we can add them.  We are keen to support your parish in prayerfully considering whether one of these roles is right for you. 

Central diocesan support

As part of the grant, a number of new central roles have been funded to enhance the existing diocesan team.  These roles are specifically to support your parish in: -

• Guiding you through the application process to enable your parish to apply for one of these roles
• Support you with any HR related processes as part of the recruitment and employment of a parish staff member
• Assist you with securing grant funding to allow the long-term sustainability of the parish-based post

More information on the roles on offer or the investment we have received can be obtained from: -

Queries in relation to the Ignite Project

Deputy Director of Education – Sally Schofield

Sally.Schofield@blackburn.anglican.org

Ignite Project Manager – Sam Lee (Note – Sam does not start in role until January 2025, please direct any queries prior to this date to Sally Schofield)

Sam.Lee@blackburn.anglican.org

Queries in relation to the Lay Pioneers

M:Power Project Lead – Rev. Rebecca Roberts

revrebecca@hotmail.com

Urban Ministry Enabler – [TBC] (the Urban Ministry Enabler role is currently being recruited, please direct any queries to Rebecca Roberts)

General queries in relation to the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment

SMMI Programme Manager – Chrissie Oakley

Chrissie.Oakley@blackburn.anglican.org

HR queries in relation to the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment

SMMI HR Advisor – Abbie Race

Abbie.Race@blackburn.anglican.org

Queries in relation to funding support

Community Development Funding Officer – [TBC] (the Community Development Funding Officer is currently being recruited, please direct any queries to Chrissie Oakley)