A course for Chelmsford Diocese ordained and lay ministers with incumbent-type responsibilities, based on our shared diocesan values, helping you to understand and nurture a style of leadership that will resource and support ministry in others.
The free course spans nine sessions over a period of nine months, seven of which will be face-to-face all-day sessions. It is delivered by experienced practitioners and utilises learning communities, mutual peer learning in action learning groups and parish based project work to explore Knowing God, Knowing Ouselves and Knowing Our Context.
The course is particularly valuable to those in their first position of incumbent-type responsibilities. You will normally be invited to take part in the course as part of your Continuing Ministerial Development.
Further details can be found by looking at the FAQs below and downloading the brochure here - note that a new version of the brochure will be available later.
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What is Discerning Mission, Leading for Change?
A course for Chelmsford Diocese, based on our shared diocesan values, utilising learning communities, mutual peer learning in action learning groups and parish based project work, to explore Knowing God, Knowing Ourselves and Knowing Our Context.
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Why is it offered?
To enable ordained and lay ministers with incumbancy-like responsibilites to understand and nurture a style of leadership that will resource and support ministry in others.
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Who is it for?
It is open to lay or ordained ministers with incumbent-type responsibilities in a local church, particularly those in their first position of such responsibility.
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How is Discerning Mission, Leading for Change delivered?
It is delivered through nine sessions over a period of nine months, the majority face-to-face one day sessions with input from experienced practitioners. Each session begins and ends in worship, our relationship with God being at the heart of the calling to leadership.
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Comments from leaders and participants
+Guli, Bishop of Chelmsford:
“As well as being a leadership training programme, my hope is that Discerning Mission, Leading for Change will better enable participants to explore how communities encounter and journey through times of change.”
Nathan Joss-Pothen, course participant:
“I have found an increased confidence in leading my church. Its made me feel I am a new incumbent growing into the role and developing as a leader.”
Christine Newmarch, course participant:
“The course has given me the confidence to have more self-respect and regard for my own wellbeing.”
Tom Warrington, course participant:
“I found the joy of shared parish experiences deepening relationships with colleagues and in the parish.”
Rob Merchant, Dean of Mission, Ministry and Education:
“Based on principles of action learning and appreciative inquiry, ‘Discerning Mission: Leading for Change’ enables participants to become navigators of change, able to better understand their own response to change and that of their communities, while seeking to join in the activity of God amongst them.”
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Dates of next available course
2026 dates are currently under review
To put your name down to take part, please contact Sue Denham
For more information, please contact Julie Couchman-Boor