Focal Ministry

Here to help

Beth Burras

Lead Lay Ministry Enabler

Here to help

Rachael Williams

PA to Lead Lay Ministry Enabler

The Diocese of Sheffield is encouraging, authorising and resourcing those called to a focal role in the leadership of ministry and mission in their local churches.

These pages introduce this exciting ministry and resources to support it.

About Focal Ministry

Focal Ministers are leaders within their churches. They are authorised by the Bishop, supported by the Diocese, and rooted to provide a focus and regular presence in a particular congregation or community. They may work as part of a team with other Focal Ministers.

All Focal Ministers will be embedded leaders in their congregations and communities, who take responsibility, with the Oversight Minister and relevant others, for the development and delivery of mission and ministry in a parish. However, Focal Ministry itself is not one-size-fits-all. The shape Focal Ministry takes, and Focal Ministers themselves, will be different in each place, reflecting both the local context and needs, and their gifts, skills, and callings. Some Focal Ministers may already hold the office of Reader, Churchwarden, or be another Lay Minister. Others may be ordained; some may be the obvious “face of the community,” and others may be responding to a new call to ministry. Some examples of what Focal Ministry could look like are on the Exploring Focal Ministry page.

Focal Ministers have 3 main leadership responsibilities;

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