"Vital" strategic vacancy opens

The Diocese of Chester is seeking to appoint someone to help build a new vision and strategic direction for the diocese. 

The position of Director of Development is a new post within the diocese and is funded by the National Church.

Writing on Twitter to promote the vacancy to his followers, Bishop Mark said the new role was "vital". 

The job advert states that the successful candidate will have a "profound understanding of the mission of a Church of England Diocese and a personal commitment to seeing lives and communities transformed in the love of Christ."

The postholder will also be someone who brings a "balance of clear awareness of strategy development process with a strongly relational approach and exceptional communication skills to engage and mobilise a diversity of stakeholders."

Applications should be made to the Director of HR, Liz Geddes no later than noon on 11 February, with interviews scheduled for 25 February.

Please share details of this vacancy on social media and through your networks with people who might feel called to fulfill the role. 

What's happened so far in terms of vision and strategy? 

It's an exciting time to be in the Diocese of Chester following Bishop Mark's arrival in May 2020 as our Diocesan Bishop and the appointment 12 months later of Bishops Julie Conalty and Sam Corley as his suffragans. Attention is now firmly on developing a new direction for this new chapter in the life of the diocese. 

Delivering his Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod in November 2021, Bishop Mark began to express some of his thinking on vision and strategic direction, he said: "One of the things that came through most clearly to me in the paperwork as you were looking for a new Bishop of Chester, was that you recognise that we need to work together strategically as a diocese, develop shared vision, and work out what it actually means to be the Diocese of Chester in the 21st century. 

"Vision is that task of those with responsibility looking forward and asking the question of what it is that we are called to do and to be for the sake of the mission which is at the heart of all that we are. That vision needs to be a shared vision. I could try to stand here and say, 'this is the new vision of the diocese of Chester', and there are a few people who would like me to do that. But I believe I would be completely failing in my role as a Christian, in my role as a member of this diocese, and in my responsibilities as a bishop if I did that. 

"Paul teaches us that we have the mind of Christ, that we are always richer when we stand together as a body of Christ, and thus, the task of discerning vision - whilst I'm willing to take my responsibility to lead that - is not mine and mine alone, it is ours." 

Watch Bishop Mark deliver his Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod. 

Page last updated: Wednesday 19th January 2022 3:46 PM
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