A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Stephen
Bishop Stephen has written to the people of the Diocese of Lincoln, following the conclusion of the Makin Review four-step process.
Read the storyLeading the way
Our first cohort of Focal Ministry candidates have been offered a place to begin Focal Ministry training, with the first session taking place on Saturday 21 September 2024.
Both practical and theological, the training is provided by the College of St Hugh and will focus on equipping candidates and their Oversight Ministers for this new approach to ministry.
The College of St Hugh team are ready to ensure that Focal Ministry candidates are well-trained for this new approach to ministry.
When candidates have successfully completing training and met the selection requirements, the Bishop will formally recognise them as the very first Focal Ministers in the Diocese of Lincoln.
Person-shaped formation
Every candidate for Focal Ministry will have their own specific context to train for, especially in a large diocese like ours which has many diverse forms of worship.
The candidates can expect to discover what representative ministry is all about, how to interpret ministerial experiences in light of faith, all about the Church and the Church of England, and the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
Every candidate has a unique background, and we will encourage individual person-shaped formation for each candidate alongside their commitment to communal engagement.
A Prayer For Focal Ministry Candidates
We pray for each Focal Ministry candidate as they prepare to begin training. We ask that they find themselves drawn even further into embracing this form of service as the training progresses. May they become well-equipped to support their local church community and help shine a bright light for Jesus with, and through, those around them.