The Bishop of Wakefield will join the team of five Suffragan (Area) Bishops in the still young Diocese of Leeds under the leadership of the diocesan Bishop of Leeds. Each Episcopal Area is co-terminus with an Archdeaconry. Uniquely in the Church of England, the diocese has three cathedrals.
The responsibilities of each bishop are designated according to the Instrument of Delegation issued by the Bishop of Leeds in January 2017 and amended subsequently.
At the creation of the diocese at Easter 2014 the vision articulated was: to be a vibrant diocese, equipping confident clergy to enable confident Christians to live and tell the good news of Jesus Christ in West Yorkshire and the Dales. In time this dynamic became focused as: Confident Christians. Growing Churches. Transforming Communities. Later in 2016, as the initial transition phase drew to its conclusion and we were establishing our visual identity (branding, etc.), we re-shaped this in order to use terms that make sense to those outside the church: Loving. Living. Learning. We love God and neighbour – and the world/communities we are called to serve; we are incarnational, committed to the world as it is, but drawn by a vision of how it could be and working for the flourishing of individuals and communities; we have the humility to know our failure and our need to learn. This triplet is the lens through which we see our ministry and mission.
The bishops are the key leaders in driving the mission of the church in their episcopal area and, together, across this large and very diverse diocese. The bishops meet together monthly for a Six Bishops Meeting and, again, monthly as part of the Bishop’s Staff Meeting. Each area bishop convenes a monthly Area Staff Meeting which feeds into the Bishop’s Staff Meeting.
The bishop, based at Thornes Park, will work with the diocesan bishop and other colleagues to build an effective episcopal team, a strong and confident Bishop's Staff, and a purposeful Area team in order to lead the mission of the diocese, make good appointments to parishes, and lead ministry and mission within the Episcopal Area in accordance with the diocesan vision. This will include clergy MDRs, pastoral reorganisations, appointments of clergy, and so on.
The bishop will take on one or more portfolio diocesan leadership responsibilities, and, working with the Diocesan Director of Vocations, will be the sponsoring bishop for the Wakefield Episcopal Area.
Click here to read the application pack and to find out how to apply.
For more details please contact: Helen Averill, Vocations and Development Adviser, Archbishops’ Advisers for Appointments and Vocations, helen.averill@churchofengland.org.