Bishop Jonathan is delighted to announce that The Reverend Andrew Dunlop has accepted his invitation to take up the strategic post of Director of Mission and Ministry Development.
In this role, Andrew will lead the recently formed Mission and Ministry Development team.
The team brings together the diocese's children and young people work, alongside that of formation and ministry, as the diocese seeks to strengthen its ability to grow younger churches, leaders, and disciples, alongside a commitment to becoming more diverse, to reflect more fully the communities served across the areas of Medway, north and west Kent, and the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley.
Andrew is the Lecturer in Mixed Ecology Mission and Contextual Training at Ridley Hall in Cambridge and also oversees teaching for the pioneer ordinands and lay ministry students at Ridley. He is also the college's Safeguarding Officer.
Having pioneered a fresh expression of church in a new-build development for a previous role with Peterborough diocese, Andrew’s passion is for church planting and contextual ecclesiology, and in encouraging students to set up and engage with new forms of church.
Andrew is married to Sarah, also a tutor at Ridley, and they have two children.
Bishop Jonathan says:
"I look forward very much to welcoming Andrew to the Diocese and to working with him to take forward our vision: Seeking first the Kingdom of God, we are called together by God to change, serve and grow with compassion, courage and creativity."
The Principal of Ridley Hall, the Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley, says:
"Andrew has been an amazing tutor at Ridley for the last six years and we will hugely miss his passion for mission and expertise in pioneering.
"He will be a great asset and colleague for Rochester Diocese, and we pray for him, for his family and the Diocese as he settles in this exciting new role."
Responding to his appointment, Andrew says:
"I’m excited to be joining the Diocese of Rochester and the Mission and Ministry Development team.
“I look forward to working with the diocese in shaping and implementing diocesan policy to resource, develop, and support ordained and lay missional leaders across the Diocese. Please keep my family and I in your prayers as we prepare for this new adventure."
Andrew will join the Diocese in January, details about this, and other aspects of his welcome will be shared in due course.