What might Focal Ministry look like in your parish?
Things to consider:
- The gifts of the people already there
- The needs of the parish
- The vision for the parish
- How does the parish relate to the wider Mission Area?
- How this relates to the Mission Action Plan
- How many Focal Ministers might be needed?
Focal Ministers are not expected to be the finished article, but it is expected that they will have the character and openness necessary to develop and grow in the role. The table of Core Characteristics of Focal Ministers below may help.
Focal Ministers are not expected to be the finished article, but it is expected that they will have the character and openness necessary to develop and grow in the role. The table of Core Characteristics of Focal Ministers below may help.
| Quality | Theme | Quality and Evidence |
| Relationship with God | Personal Faith | Growing and joyful relationship with God. |
| Relationship with God | Nurturing Faith | Nourished through prayer, worship, scripture, sacrament, fellowship – a balanced Rule of Life |
| Self-Care | Healthy Self-Confidence | Identity in Christ – recognising strengths, limitations and capacity. Receiving feedback appropriately. |
| Self-Care | Taking Care of Yourself | Self-awareness. Maintaining boundaries of time and relationships. Balancing competing demands. |
| Growth and Development | Discipline | Open to growth and being transformed by God. |
| Growth and Development | Lifelong Learning | Commitment and participation in ongoing ministerial development, Reflective Practice. |
| Leadership | Focal Leadership | Recognised as stable, trustworthy, with healthy accountable relationships. |
| Leadership | Collaborative Leadership | Supportive of colleagues, effective team worker. |
| Leadership | Vision | Develops, communicates and implements vision for church. |
| Nurturing a Healthy Church Locally | Enabling others to live as Lights for Christ | Encouraging others in journey of faith. Develops and facilitates ministry of teams and others, giving opportunities for people to step into their vocation. |
Nurturing a Healthy Church Locally | Mission in the local context | Committed to the 5 marks of mission. Enables church to share Jesus with local context. |
| Being part of the diocese | Diocese and wider CofE | Working towards the Diocesan vision and strategy, and have a commitment to the broader CofE. |
| Being part of the diocese | Roles across Mission Area | Healthy, mutually supportive relationships within Mission Area. |
| Being part of the diocese | Managing the Church | Committed to safe ministry within Diocesan structures, policies and guidelines. |
The Focal Ministry Team is here to support you every step of the way and so please do get in touch with any questions or if you would like a visit.
If the parish does not have an Oversight Minister then the PCC might consult with their Associate Archdeacon Transition Enabler (AATE) or another Minister who can support them and potential Focal Ministry candidates through the process.
The next step is Nominating Focal Ministers.