deployment
It also asked the diocese to publicly commit to a deployment strategy that responded to these needs.
If elected to General Synod, I will advocate: ● support for parish ministry including the prioritisation of resources to ensure that parishes and priests are able to flourish in their mission and ministry ● reviews of the church’s policies so that reform where necessary can release funds to support ministry in our parishes and priests to serve in them ● listening to what the Spirit is saying to the church by refreshing of our identity from our foundational sources – the living tradition through which the Spirit’s voice can be heard ● theologically-grounded social justice as a key component in the Church of England’s mission both nationally and in our local communities ● encouraging vocations to lay and ordained ministry, and ensuring that those who offer service to the church receive support, theologically-informed training, and ongoing deployment – this means protecting stipendiary ministry as the basis of the parish system ● the need to escape the “faddish” nature of many mission initiatives, policies and strategies, and to refocus on the church’s core priorities and identity ● ensuring our reasoning and practices are informed by the gospels and not excessively shaped by secular practices that do not reflect gospel values ● the importance of ensuring clergy discipline and safeguarding issues are well handled, and that current processes are constantly reviewed to ensure that they are transparent, fair and not unduly protracted ● promoting the importance of the church’s place, voice and teaching in national debates on subjects of contemporary ethics, especially where such matters pose greater risk to the vulnerable ● faithfulness to the church’s identity in teaching and the practice of the sacraments, particularly Holy Matrimony and the seal of Confession
We need policies and legislation which prioritise the nation-wide deployment of well-trained, well- resourced parish clergy, promote their well-being and honour their life-long commitment to serve God and their parishioners (in particular, the policies outlined in the Save the Parish manifesto).
Structures, vocations, deployment and funding should be considered together and, through honest consultation and local discernment, adapted with care.
We face real challenges when it comes to recruitment and deployment and wishing that were not the case is not a satisfactory answer.
In the Bradwell Area deprived parishes have seen a disproportionate reduction in clergy deployment.
It is clear that the recruitment, deployment and retention of clergy is a key issue: nurturing vocations, investing in theological training, and prioritising clergy wellbeing are all vital.
Deployment of funds for local ministry should be a priority.
This is the principle I would apply to decisions about funding, buildings and deployment.
Ensuring national Church resources, funding mechanisms, and budgets directly support parish ministry, clergy deployment, and frontline community outreach where impact is felt most.
That means properly supporting parish clergy and lay leaders, taking seriously the pressures under which they serve, and ensuring that decisions about finance, deployment and strategy recognise that local ministry is not merely one programme amongst many.
Lay Chair, Edgmond & Shifnal Deanery (since 2021), enabling collaboration across town, village, and rural parishes and supporting deanery-wide mission and deployment.
This includes the provision and deployment of clergy, clergy wellbeing, connecting parish churches with communities and maintaining church buildings.
Creative Resource Deployment: We need radical, innovative ways of funding ministry that prioritises contextual, flexible community mission over central maintenance.
I will argue for realistic workload models, fair stipend and deployment formulas, and real investment in lay- led ministry (readers, LLMs, churchwardens) so no priest is stretched across a whole benefice alone.
Parish and diocesan deployment, particularly in rural communities.
Alongside traditional models of stipendiary and self-supporting ministry, we need to be more creative about patterns of ministry and deployment, enabling people to find ministry that is sustainable and life-giving.
Members will also bring different convictions to difficult questions facing the Church, including mission, sexuality and relationships, safeguarding reform, clergy deployment, parish finance, racial justice, environmental responsibility, assisted dying, science and technology, and the relationship between national structures and local autonomy.
stipendiary clergy will be needed more than ever to ensure the best deployment of gifts and skills; I say this as someone who has had the privilege of working closely with wonderful self-supporting colleagues for many years.
I have a particular interest in Clergy Wellbeing (including pensions and remuneration) and would seek to support creative and courageous thinking around how best to address the current challenges of clergy workloads, finances, and deployment.