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Ordained Ministry

Parish Support.
Resources for supporting parishes - Rural & Urban Ministry, Giving & Stewardship

Resources from the Roadshow on Building Strong Parish Communities

A vital part of the work of the Anglican Diocese of Chester is the ministry of the ordained clergy working in this Diocese.
Ordained clergy come in many forms. There are around 300 stipendiary (paid) clergy in this Diocese and also many non-stipendiary ministers (NSMs) - as well as many retired clergy who remain active in ministry.
This page provides links to some resources to support and resources for the clergy in this Diocese.

Thinking about
Ordained Ministry?
What sort of Ministry?
Vocations
Foundations for Ministry

Resources for Clergy
Chester Leadership Development Programme
Training events coming up
CME & Grants
Sabbaticals
Special Grants for Clergy
Initial Ministerial Training (IMT)
Ministry Review
Clergy Family Trust
Spirituality
Non-Stipendiary Ministry
Women's Ministry
Parish Support
Christian Giving
Rural Ministry
Urban Ministry
Building Strong Parish Communities

Selection
Our Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) is Revd Ray Samuels (see below). The DDO office is located in Bishop's House in Chester and deals with the enquiries of everyone who is thinking about ordination.  Candidates range in age from early 20's to early 60's, but all would first have discussed ordination with their incumbent before they arrive at the Chester office. 

People continue their discussions with the DDO before going to a three-day Bishops' Advisory Panel organised by the Church of England to advise the Bishop on the suitability of each candidate.  Recommended candidates enter into 2 or 3 years of training. 

The DDO will be part of the process and act as the Diocesan link with them whilst they are in training.  After training the DDO will work with the Bishop to place 'ordinands' in their curacy.

In short then, the DDO works with parishes, the Bishops' Advisory Panel, training courses, residential colleges and the Bishop to oversee and encourage the journey from enquirer to curate.

The DDO is also the person incumbents should contact about parishes having curates for training.

Our Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) is Revd Ray Samuels. 

Contact details:
The DDO Office, Bishop's House, Abbey Square
Chester CH1 2JD 

Tel: 01244 346945

Revd John Lees is the Assistant DDO, he is Curate at Wilmslow and is also a Careers Consultant.

Contact details:
11 Grove Park
Knutsford
WA16 8QB

Tel: 01565 654755

Training & resourcing for clergy

Training events coming up.

Chester Leadership Development Programme for clergy.

Sabbaticals, CME and training grants for clergy

IMT programme for curates

Advisors for Women in Ministry

Non-Stipendiary Ministry

Spiritual Direction (giving or receiving)

Ministry Review scheme for clergy

Clergy Family Trust