Mission Enabler Grant

The Diocesan vision is to grow Christian communities that are effective in making disciples.

You may well have an idea of what you want to do to engage with this. It may be something to help your church in mission or even help at the level of your mission area or deanery. If that’s the case, we have funding available for posts for lay people of up to one day a week, at national average salary. The application process would involve discussions with the RMM team to work out both a job description and a project plan that are bespoke to your situation.

This initiative is supported by the Church Commissioners through the SMMIB.

The Mission Enabler Grant Application Process

The grant depends on identifying a missional project and a role which the money will help to support. 

You don’t have to have this clear in your mind before you get in touch. The most important part of the whole application process is the conversation with us at the start so we can help you think through the project and the role. 

Here are the steps: 

Step 1: Read this webpage   

Step 2: Think about your project and role and how the grant might help support it, using the examples below. 

Step 3: Register your interest by emailing john.marsh@sheffield.anglican.org with as much or as little information as you have and we will arrange a call. 

Step 4: Engage in a conversation with RMM to clarify your project and role. Agree with us how feedback will be given on the effectiveness of the pathway. You will then be provided with a Mission Enabler Grant application form.

Step 5: Apply for the grant by emailing john.marsh@sheffield.anglican.org your completed application form. 

Step 6: Application is scrutinised by RMM before final approval is given

Step 7: Receive the money and off you go. 

Step 8: Give us some feedback (agreed in step 4) 

Identifying your Project and Role

To be eligible for the Mission Enabler Grant, your project and role should be clear.

A Mission Enabler supports, develops and multiplies missional activity in their church, mission area or deanery.

Advice to clarify or develop your project or role is part of the application process. Thismeans we willtalk withyou aboutwhat God is sayong to youabout what you hope this project orand role will achieve.

Mission is sometimes a time-consuming and daunting task for people to engage with. The Mission Enabler role will help people to be involved through building team and taking a lead in specific missional activities.

We would expect Mission Enablers to use our Mission pathways strategy, detailed below. We will fully support the Mission Enabler as they undertake their role.

Examples of mission pathways are given below.

1. Unconnected – This is anyone in your local context who is not in contact with the church.
2. Relational Fringe – This is anyone in your local context who you know and has some contact with the church.
3. Worshipping Community – This is anyone who attends the church roughly twice a month and would describe the church as ‘their church’.
4. Engaged Disciple – This is anyone who is committed to attending, serving and growing in the church community with a personal faith commitment to Jesus.

Disclaimer: The mission pathway is a tool to help focus your activities and should not be used or interpreted as an attempt to categorise or control a person’s faith journey. 

Examples of what the Mission Enabler role might look like

Your context might be that there are a lot of young families living around you in your parish, Mission Area or deanery.

The vision for your church(es) might be to support and help young families and give them the opportunity to become disciples of Jesus through involving them in your church.

So, the Mission Enabler can give thought to sharpening the focus of the church’s mission, revitalising existing activities or launching new ones. They can help gather teams, provide training and support and work with Oversight and Focal Ministers to develop and multiply local mission in this area.

It is envisaged that the Mission Enabler will be line-managed by one of the Oversight Ministers in the Mission Area. They may or may not be a Focal Minister themselves. We will offer HR support in setting up the employment of the Mission Enabler role.

If you are not used to thinking about this sort of role or project, or would like anything clarifying, we will help you think it through as you apply. A key criteria to the awarding of the Mission Enabler Grant is the conversation about how your project and role and missional activities fit together. Therefore, do not worry if this language and approach is new to you.

Success Stories

If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to get in touch.