Bishop Simon Burton-Jones has announced today the appointment of three new Growth Enablers to the Diocese.
Read Bishop Simon’s letter here.
The Growth Enablers will support the Called to Grow initiative which has been introduced to parishes; a five step process which is being used to encourage and equip churches to reflect, plan and review what God may be asking of them.
Speaking about the appointments Bishop Simon said:
“Called to Grow is a key part of our shared Called Together vision as we seek to grow both spiritually and numerically as a diocesan family.
“Such planning and evaluation needs prayer, guidance and support.
“I am therefore delighted to inform you that, following a successful recruitment process, we have now appointed three new Growth Enablers - one for each archdeaconry - to support churches as they develop their Called to Grow plans.”
The three Growth Enablers are:
- Abi Hiscock - Growth Enabler Bromley & Bexley Archdeaconry
- Graham Wilkinson - Growth Enabler Tonbridge Archdeaconry
- The Rev Dylan Turner - Growth Enabler Rochester Archdeaconry
Abi is a Licensed Lay Minister at All Saints Parish Church, Orpington and has spent her career working closely with and in the charitable sector.
She says she is looking forward to using her training every day as she visits churches throughout the Bromley and Bexley Archdeaconry:
“I am excited by the possibility that parish churches can plan strategically and measure the difference they are making, with the urgency and passion of being accountable to God at any moment for our impact."
Graham comes to the role having just recently retired following an over 30-year career in Banking.
He is a Licensed Lay Minister at St Lawrence Bidborough and is involved in outreach in his local parish, particularly to men. Speaking about his appointment he said:
“I am very excited about this opportunity. I feel passionately that to grow God’s church, we must intentionally reach out to our local community to show God’s love, build relationships and share our faith.”
The Revd Dylan Turner knows the Diocese well, having lived and worshipped here since 1997, first as a lay person and then as a member of the clergy.
He has also served on Diocesan Synod and Bishop’s Council.
Before ordination, he worked in the Foreign Office, training staff in diplomatic missions around the world to help British companies trade and invest globally.
He said: "I am delighted to have been offered this role. I am really looking forward to working with clergy and parishes on this important strand of the Called Together vision and being part of their journey."
Prayers are invited for Abi, Graham and Dylan as they make the transition into their new roles.
They will begin their work in the Diocese in November.
In the meantime, anyone with any questions about Called to Grow, please visit the website here, or contact claire.boxall@rochester.anglican.org