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Home , Archdeacon of Stoke, Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Bishop of Lichfield, Bishop of Stafford, Borough of Stafford, Diocese of Lichfield

Candidate Briefing Pack

The of Stoke-upon-Trent

Candidate Briefing Pack

1 The -upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack Foreword from the of brings together officers from administrative these plans will involve significant reductions departments, outward facing departments, clergy in stipendiary posts across the in the In the we extend an invitation be perceived as threatening. In all of this we and others from the ‘frontline’. Integrated with next two to three years. Shaping for Mission is to “Come follow Christ in the footsteps of St are inspired by the example of St Chad, the this work and vision is the recent establishment an exciting and demanding undertaking, and Chad”. Our diocesan vision states that: first , who worked across of a Racial Justice and Inclusion Task group the have a pivotal role to play in boundaries and reached out in relationship to to scrutinise our structures and practices to supporting and facilitating the process. all whom he met. Relationships, rather than eliminate racial injustice. As we follow Christ in the footsteps of St structures, need to be paramount. +Michael Lich Chad, we pray that the two million people Partly in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, in our diocese encounter a church that is We are conscious of the need to increase the but primarily to address challenges and pressures confident in the gospel, knows and loves diversity of voices in the Bishop’s staff team, already evident in the life of the church, we its communities, and is excited to find and to increase participation and representation are in the midst of a process of change called God at work already in the world. We pray across the diocese. We therefore would Shaping for Mission. Shaping for Mission invites a for a church that reflects the richness and particularly welcome applications from UKME review at deanery level of the life of our parishes, variety of those communities and partners candidates Fresh Expressions and chaplaincies against the with others in seeking the common good, Diocesan vision and priorities. As a result of this working for justice as a people of hope. We have developed a focus on five local contexts review, deanery visions will emerge and deanery for mission – parishes, fresh expressions, schools, plans will be formed in discussion with the Area chaplaincies, and our Cathedral. In each of and Archdeacons. It is expected that A Direction of Travel for the Diocese these we concentrate on our three priorities of developing discipleship, encouraging vocations of Lichfield and inspiring evangelism. As we seek to live our vision for this Diocese, we have discerned that culture change needs to be The work of our central diocesan team has at the heart of all we do. We all are called to be been realigned to serve our diocesan vision and advocates for change, and to help people meet priorities. Staff in departments delivering work the challenge of being outward-facing, confident across the Diocese on Discipleship, Vocation and believers in a sceptical world. Evangelism work in shared premises to enable partnership working towards this shared vision. This process of change must be handled in a A programme of cross-department DVE projects sensitive and relational manner, particularly has been introduced to embed a culture that for those for whom reimagining ministry may focuses on mission outcomes. Each DVE project

2 3 The Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack Role Profile for Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent: or Diocesan Bishop requests. Depending b) on a day-to-day basis within the on the experience and interests of the Episcopal Area, to be accountable to the Key tasks i) to be a first point of referral in addressing, post-holder, the Bishop of Lichfield may, , and work closely with him a) to help shape, promote and model the in a timely fashion, situations of conflict, in consultation with the Bishop of Stafford, and the Associate Archdeacon as a member Diocesan Direction of Travel, Come follow breakdown and difficulty within parishes. request him or her to take on one or more of the Stafford Episcopal Area Team. Christ in the footsteps of St Chad, with its j) To be Bishop’s Visitor to existing and future specific diocesan or area portfolios. c) to be a valued colleague of the Diocesan three priorities of discipleship, vocation and Bishop’s Mission Orders Key relationships Chief Executive, the Registrar, fellow evangelism. k) With the Bishop of Stafford, to lead a) to be accountable to the Bishop of Lichfield archdeacons and other Diocesan Staff, and b) to champion the current Diocesan Shaping the ongoing exploration of Strategic and work closely with him as a member of his of the Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Maidstone for Mission process and, with imagination, Development Funding, especially for Stoke- Senior Staff Team. (who both serve as Assistant Bishops in the sensitivity and boldness, to see through on-Trent. Diocese). tough decisions in a time of change. d) to work closely with the rural deans, lay c) to be diligent in fulfilling the Archdeacon’s chairs, clergy and lay ministers of the Stoke statutory responsibilities so as to better equip Archdeaconry in support of the church’s life God’s people for ministry and mission. and mission across the archdeaconry. d) to take particular care to promote excellent safeguarding practice in parishes and with clergy.

e) to assist the Bishop of Stafford in providing Bishops (above), archdeacons (below) and CEO//Bishop’s pastoral care and support for the clergy and Chaplain (right) comprise most of the Bishop’s Senior Staff Team Alton Towers near lay ministers of the Stafford Episcopal Area. Jeremy Thompson/Flickr / CC BY 2.0 Illustration of the life of an archdeacon? f) to encourage parishes in generous giving and

in the regular payment of parish share. The freshly consecrated Bishop of Stafford, Rt Revd (centre) after the service at Lambeth Palace (14/4/21) g) to support parishes in times of vacancy and enable them to reflect creatively on their l) to have an active liturgical and teaching past, present and future vocation. ministry in the Archdeaconry and Diocese. h) to share with the Bishop of Stafford in the m) to undertake other tasks and responsibilities making of appointments. in the Episcopal Area or Diocese as the Area

4 5 The Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack Support Person Specification j) can listen, question, encourage, enable, Appointment process: Support for the Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent The new Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent will admonish and inspire trust and confidence; is provided as follows: be a priest of the Church of or another k) has demonstrable administrative and • Closing date 18 May 2021 member church of the Anglican Communion, in executive ability; a) the Archdeacon has the services of a Personal holy orders for at least six years. • Shortlisting 21 May 2021 Assistant. l) holds a full driving licence. b) the Registrar and Chancellor, together with We are seeking someone who: Conditions of Service • Interviews 09 June 2021 the other archdeacons, provide legal advice The Diocese observes the guidelines issued by and support. a) is prayerful, seeking to grow in personal the Central Stipends Authority relating to Clergy holiness and discipleship; Terms and Conditions of Service. The office of c) technical and office support are supplied Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent is held on through the Diocesan Board of Finance. b) has a heart for mission and evangelism; Common Tenure. d) there will be a regular Ministry Development c) is a person of vision, with theological acumen, confident in the gospel and able to Review with the Bishop of Lichfield. a) Stipend: Archdeacon’s rate as determined by help others to see where God is at work in the ’ Council. The Bishop’s Staff Team foster a supportive the world; and collaborative working culture. b) House: A house is provided in Stoke. This, for example, means that we share d) has a track record of working collegially and c) Holidays: 36 days to be agreed with senior information about work as far as possible, collaboratively and who actively seeks to colleagues, to ensure coverage is maintained. e.g. forthcoming diary engagements and make partnerships with others; priorities. e) is able to work sympathetically across a range d) Expenses: Working expenses are agreed and of contexts, both urban and rural; fully reimbursed. f) is committed to promoting diversity at every Informal inquiries should be addressed to Brad level of church life; Cook, Archbishops’ Advisers for Appointments & Development at [email protected] g) is committed to the pastoral care and welfare of clergy and their families;

h) is able to relate to and to value all traditions within the ; i) values ministry in parishes, Fresh Expressions, chaplaincies and schools;

6 7 The Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack Overview of the Diocese of Lichfield The Archdeaconry of Stoke-upon-Trent Our Roots We are committed to proclaiming the Gospel The Archdeaconry of Stoke-upon-Trent (which no longer employs the thousands it once did and In Lichfield we are conscious of being a pilgrim in the public arena and transforming our is coterminous with the Stafford Episcopal Area) the distinctive and rather elegant bottle ovens people, inspired by the example of our first communities with a prophetic voice and a covers about 530 square miles and five local are now largely gone from the cityscape except Bishop, St Chad of . His was a time distinctively Christian identity. In our large and authority areas: the city of Stoke-on-Trent, the from one or two heritage sites. But this is a city, of evangelism and mission. Recognising the complex diocese we are proud of our unity in Boroughs of Newcastle and Stafford and the which is six towns, that still thinks of itself as the challenge to re-evangelise our own society in our diversity. We are collegial in our working-out of districts of Moorlands and East “Potteries” and is trying to forge a new identity in own time, we aspire to follow in his footsteps and mission at the levels of diocese, episcopal area, Staffordshire. a post-industrial world. to be imaginative and innovative as he was. We deanery and parish and in partnership with the aspire to deepen our discipleship and spirituality national Church. We have developed robust The Archdeaconry sits in the north of the Diocese by shaping them on Chad’s imitation of our Lord processes of governance that have enabled us to and is bifurcated by the M6 from north to south Jesus Christ, drinking deeply from the wells of make difficult decisions on issues such as clergy and A50 from west to east. The West Coast Scripture and the refreshing springs of Christian deployment. Our finances are centred on the mainline also runs through the Archdeaconry as tradition. needs of mission. But above all we have shown will the proposed HS2 rail link. a capacity for honest self-evaluation that has made our governance dynamic and responsive to It is an area of considerable diversity in terms of Our Geography change. its geography and socio-economics with inner Stretching from the Welsh border to the Peak city and urban estates, market towns and remote District and from north Staffordshire to the Black hilltop hamlets. Country, the Diocese of Lichfield is one of the largest in the Church of England serving just over The City of Stoke-on-Trent is a unitary Stoke has a mix of new and old as the two million people in 1,744 square miles. image of the city centre (left) illustrates authority that is also, still, a slightly uneasy with a trademark bottle kiln overshadowed collection of small towns federated in 1910. It Stoke-on-Trent has been ranked the 16th most by modern development. It is surrounded It is an exciting and often challenging field by many suburbs (below) is a wonderful place full of the warmest people deprived area in the country. The churches are for sharing the love of God with the people and it has a long and noble history of producing part of the story of finding a new future for the we serve. It is at the heart of England, not just some of the most beautiful objects in the world city through, for example, participation in the geographically but culturally and socially. Areas through the manufacture of ceramics. There has multi-agency Hardship Commission. Churches of spectacular natural beauty sit beside the legacy been a modest resurgence in the pottery industry across the city support community facilities, food of centuries of industry and commerce; areas through “craft pottery” firms such as Emma banks, debt advice, and work with asylum seekers of growth, aspiration and hope beside urban Bridgewater. Modest because, whilst there are and hard pressed families, and they speak to the deprivation, rural poverty and despair. still some bulk producers remaining, the industry city of the Gospel hope.

8 9 The Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack The neighbouring, but very independent, generations of connection to the land. Our rural Worthington families. Nonetheless the smell of Bishop’s Mission Orders. Our 80 church schools Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme is churches are a listening ear for the farming hops still lingers in the town. in the Archdeaconry (including two secondary the home of Keele University, which, along with community and a steady presence in rapidly schools) represent a significant investment in Staffordshire University in Stoke, is one of the changing communities. The Archdeaconry is diverse not only in its geography education and an important mission opportunity. two Universities based in the Archdeaconry. They but in its increasingly multi faith and multi-cultural have 20,000 undergraduates between them and The County Town of Stafford and the complexion. It is predicted that the 2021 census North Staffordshire has a deep-rooted each has a full time Chaplain. Like many British are witnessing, along will reveal that 9% of Stoke’s, and 11% of Burton’s, non-conformist tradition. was the birth Apedale Valley Light Railway near Universities, there is significant and lively diversity with other parts of the Archdeaconry, the population with be from UKME backgrounds, the place of Primitive Methodism and Methodism School, vicar and bishop working Newcastle-under-Lyme with the adjacent together in Bucknall country park and Heritage Centre is one of in the student body with around 20% of students building of thousands of new houses. These new largest group being Asian and British Asians. In Burton, is still strong in Stoke. Roman Catholicism, with many transport and leisure museums in the coming from UKME backgrounds. as in Stoke, the main interfaith work is with the Muslim roots in a tenacious recusant history, is also Diocese that celebrate the industry of the communities pose particular challenges for local area - this engine built in Stafford. services and communities and for the church’s community. The of Stoke Minister, as City Faith strong, and there is a growing presence of black- / Simon Jones mission. Officer, coordinates the City’s Faith Leaders’ Forum. majority churches, particularly in Stoke. The work of Churches Linked Across Staffordshire To the east of the Archdeaconry, Burton-upon- Church life in the Archdeaconry is just as and the Potteries (CLASP) brings together the Trent still produces a lot of beer, largely – though rich and variegated. There is a wide range of established denominations and is now drawing not entirely – in vast modern breweries owned by traditions, including churches that identify in representation from the newer streams of Christian churches. large corporations. As is the case with the pottery as Reform, those who look to the extended +Matthew’s first meeting after the industry, it no longer employs the numbers it episcopal care of the and announcement of his nomination was with ecumenical leaders in Stoke once did in the heyday of the Bass, Marston and all points in between. Despite these differences Dovedale (location of one of the Diocese’s two residential retreat there is a good spirit of working together in centres, left) / Shaun Dunmall (wikipedia) / CC BY-SA 2.0 4.0 chapters and Deaneries and the diversity is largely regarded as strength not a problem. The ministry Rural Staffordshire has some of the most of the archdeacon is offered to and accepted by delightful and undiscovered countryside all churches, irrespective of tradition. in England with remote moorland villages (Flash is the highest village in England) and There are growing congregations, but many charming market towns such as , churches are struggling with falling numbers and Leek and Uttoxeter. The Diocese’s two retreat ageing membership. Mission Action Planning centres, Dovedale and Shallowford, are in the is well established in most churches in the Archdeaconry. However, this is no rural idyll. archdeaconry and there are a growing number Large numbers of farmers are leaving the of Fresh Expressions of church including two new industry, sometimes, heartbreakingly, ending

10 11 The Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack

Deaneries 10 Appendix Team Ministries 7 Legal Responsibilities of an Parochial governance Benefices 88 Archdeacon Parishes 166 2. An archdeacon has a duty to hold visitations The office of archdeacon has its origins in the Church schools 80 in his or her archdeaconry as provided in early history of the Church. An archdeaconry is C 22, paragraph 5. Stipendiary Clergy 83 a legal division of a diocese for administrative (FTE) purposes within which the archdeacon exercises 3. On receiving a valid request to convene PTO Clergy 91 an ordinary jurisdiction. The essential nature of an extraordinary meeting of a PCC, the Licensed Lay Ministers 134 The deaneries of Stoke-upon-Trent the role has been described as ‘being a good archdeacon must do so if he or she deems

Newly-ordained in 2021, now Most... northerly parish: (Alstonefiled deanery) steward so that others are freed to be the there is sufficient cause. The archdeacon serving their title in the Stafford Episcopal southerly parish: (Stafford deanery) worshipping, witnessing and ministering Church’ must also chair the meeting or appoint a Area (perfectly overlapping with the easterly parish: St Mary Stretton-with Claymills (Tutbury d.) deputy to do so (Church Representation Archdeaconry of Stoke-upon-Trent) westerly parish Mucklestone (Eccleshall deanery) outside The legal responsibilities of an archdeacon are Rules 2011, Rule 23(1)). summarised below. 4. At the direction of the bishop, the archdeacon inducts a priest who has been instituted Diocesan governance to a benefice into the possession of its Leek lstonefield temporalities (Canon C22, paragraph 5). 1. The archdeacon is a member, ex officio, of Although the archdeacon has no statutory Newcastle role under the Patronage (Benefices) Measure -under- • the Diocesan Synod (Church Representation Stoke 1986, in practice he or she is usually actively Lyme Cheadle Rules 2011, Rule 30(4)); -on- involved in guiding parishes through the Trent • the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) appointments procedure. (Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Stone Uttoeter Jurisdiction Measure 1991, Schedule 1); Buildings and property • the Diocesan Parsonages Board (Repair of Eccleshall 5. In his or her own archdeaconry, the Benefice Buildings Measure 1972, s.1(4)); and Stafford Tutbury archdeacon is a key player in the operation • the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral of the faculty jurisdiction under the Care Committee (Mission and Pastoral Measure of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 2011, Schedule 1). Measure 1991 and the Faculty Jurisdiction

12 13 The Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack Rules 2018. He or she is ex officio a member a church by a qualified person. who is required to report to the bishop Further information: of the DAC and has statutory powers: whether such an enquiry should, in his or her Pastoral reorganisation opinion, be instituted. • to grant faculties without reference to the • www.lichfield.anglican.org Chancellor in certain types of case listed 7. The archdeacon is an ‘interested party’ under 11. The archdeacon has no statutory role in in the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2015 (as s6 of the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 proceedings under the Clergy Discipline • facebook.com/groups/ amended 2018); in relation to pastoral proposals affecting any Measure 2003, but the Code of Practice DioceseOfLichfield/ • to grant a licence for temporary minor benefice or parish in his or her archdeaconry. (paragraphs 10-12) describes circumstances re-ordering on an experimental basis and to In practice, the archdeacon is usually actively in which it may be appropriate for the • twitter.com/Lichfield_CofE ensure that the previous position is restored involved in identifying the need for pastoral archdeacon to act as the complainant, or or a faculty obtained for permanent changes; reorganisation and initiating discussions with (paragraph 100) to provide pastoral support. • youtube.com/user/LichfieldDiocese and other interested parties. 12. The archdeacon will normally be the person • instagram.com/lichfielddiocese/ • to order the removal to a place of safety of Clergy: pastoral care and discipline appointed by the bishop to oversee an an item of architectural, artistic, historic or enquiry into the capability of an office holder archaeological value which appears to be at 8. Canon C22, paragraph 4 provides that an under Common Tenure (paragraph 4.1 of the risk. archdeacon ‘shall within his archdeaconry Code of Practice issued under Regulation carry out his duties under the bishop and 31(3) of the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of The archdeacon may initiate or intervene in shall assist the bishop in his pastoral care and Service) Regulations 2009). faculty proceedings and may be asked by the office, and particularly he shall see that all Chancellor to seek local resolution of a particular 13. The archdeacon is also usually responsible such as hold any ecclesiastical office within case. The archdeacon is normally present at for overseeing the formal stages of the the same perform their duties with diligence any Consistory Court hearing in his or her grievance procedure established under and shall bring to the bishop’s attention what archdeaconry. Regulation 32 of the Ecclesiastical Offices calls for correction or merits praise.’ (Terms of Service) Regulations 2009. 6. Canon C22, paragraph 5, requires the 9. Canon C7 provides for the archdeacon to archdeacon to survey, in person or by deputy, assist the bishop in the examination of all churches and churchyards and give candidates for ordination. direction for the amendment of all defects 10. Under Part 1 of the Incumbents (Vacation in the fabric, ornaments and furniture. He or of Benefices) Measure 1977, a request for an she also has power under the Inspection of enquiry on the grounds of serious pastoral Churches Measure 1955, s.2 to enforce the breakdown must in the first instance be requirement for a quinquennial inspection of referred by the bishop to the archdeacon,

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