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Commemorating 100+ Focal Ministers in the Diocese of Sheffield

There’s optimism for the years ahead following the authorisation of over 100 Focal Ministers in the Diocese of Sheffield. The landmark was reached in May when authorisations took place at both The Vine and St Timothy’s in Sheffield.

It means the Focal Ministry team are currently ahead of target for the number of authorisations, with the hope more people will come forward in the coming months to be focal points in their communities.

Focal Ministers have 4 main leadership responsibilities:

  1. To be the public face of the church to their congregation and/or community.
  2. The Focal Ministry Team take responsibility, with the Oversight Minister and relevant others, for the development and delivery of mission and ministry in a parish.
  3. As individuals, Focal Ministers may take oversight of a specific aspect of mission or ministry.
  4. A final responsibility of Focal Ministers is to encourage and support the vocations of everyone, and build teams around their areas of responsibility.

We’re sharing some of the testimonies of people who have recently been authorised:

Rachel Widdows – authorised at The Vine

My feelings about starting out as a Focal Minister are somewhat mixed. I’d say it’s about 90% apprehension about what the role involves and what I can bring; and 10% excitement and feeling quite energised by the opportunity to get involved more deeply with the church and look at things from a different perspective. 

At the same time, I feel hugely encouraged by the support and prayers of the church community, who have wisely reminded me that God’s promise is, ‘my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’. This last feeling is the one I will hold onto as much as I can, because all we do in this or other roles within the church is for a God who knows our weaknesses and has promised His power can work in spite of and through them! What a relief!

Jenny Holt – authorised at St Timothy’s

I have my Focal Minister badge on my bedside table at the moment. When I look at it, there is the feeling I’ve put myself out there in a way I don’t do very often. The badge is there because I need to be identifiable, visible. But then I remember I am still part of the beautiful, varied body of Christ. I’m excited I’ll be one of a team of four and will get to work with the other wonderful people who are Focal Ministers at St Tim’s. I’m excited to see what God will do with this ministry in our church and the Diocese, but I’m also keen to remember this is just another step on a road I’ve been walking for years, on a journey towards Jesus, the same journey that many of you reading this are on, and a journey that is just as valuable, real and worthwhile for you as for me, whether you get a badge for it or not.

Paul Sheridan – authorised at The Vine

“It’s a great privilege to be accepted as a Focal minister at The Vine. We have a really good team of Focal Ministers and a very supportive PCC and wider church. We meet at St Bart’s and the Church has always had a ‘community’ focus which is helped by the style and position of the building. The congregation is varied with singles/families and older members so part of the task ahead of us along with Will Briggs our Oversight Minister is to really listen to what God requires of us and to maybe start some new things along with not losing and further utilising the lovely family feel of the Vine.”

Director of Focal Ministry, the Revd Dr Sally Myers, said: “I continue to be humbled and excited by the sheer quality and quantity of people willing to be nominated as Focal Ministers. We need to keep praying about how Focal Ministry ‘works’ in each context, but what is abundantly clear is that there are very many people within our congregations whose gifts and vocations are simply waiting to be recognised and released.”