The Diocese of Leeds is increasing its work to develop lay leaders from our most diverse contexts and in our most underrepresented areas, made possible by new funding awarded from the national church Diocesan Investment Programme.
This new lay leadership development is part of our Encouraging Confidence strategy to become more confident in our leadership, witness and mission.
As a diocese we want to encourage lay leadership from all backgrounds, and this new work builds on and complements our existing lay training.
The Diocese of Leeds has learnt much from the approach that has been taken to empower missional lay leadership in the Diocese of York through Mustard Seed and in the Diocese of Blackburn through M:Power.
Our hope is to see many more individuals equipped to share their faith and witness to their communities, in ways that are encouraged and empowered.
The focus will be on those who haven’t been reached by our current lay training offer, and the programme will equip individuals for leading missionally in their churches.
Participant lay leaders will be on a 12-month learning journey across three terms in which they will focus on listening to God, others and themselves, building confidence, and reflecting on where God is already at work within their parishes.
Participants will be identified and supported by their local incumbent, and will be supported by volunteer mentors.
Our focus is on supporting parish mission and revitalisation.
Jo Beacroft-Mitchell, Fundraising Development and Community Engagement Manager for Holy Nativity Mixenden, said: “In my work in Holy Nativity in Mixenden we have seen lay leaders grow in skills and confidence for mission.
“There is a huge amount of untapped potential for missional leadership on our estates and in our most deprived communities.
“I am excited about what this new investment will help to facilitate across Halifax and the wider area.”
The Revd Wayne Simmonds, Diocesan Racial Justice Leader Officer and advocate for the hub in Huddersfield, said: “God made every human being in God’s own image.
“Therefore, for the church to truly reflect God, it must ensure that it is represented by as wide a variety of humans at every level of its mission and ministry.”
Participants in the development programme will be gathered in six local hubs across the diocese, with cohorts of around ten individuals each year in each hub to develop missional leadership skills and abilities.
Our first three hubs will be set up in Halifax, Huddersfield and Bradford.
Each hub will be led by a hub leader and a volunteer assistant.
The teaching, learning and sharing in each hub will aim to develop skills in mission and there will be an emphasis on sharing faith and building teams.
To find out more about our recent award from the Diocesan Investment Programme, please click here.