New Director and Deputy Diocesan Secretary appointed

Jonathan, who has been serving as Rector of Blandford Forum and Langton Long, will lead a team to support and serve resource local churches in 3 key areas: discipleship, leadership and community transformation. This will be across all levels (Benefice, Deanery and our Diocesan Board of Education schools), with an approach that is about thinking both locally and with a collective Diocesan mindset.

In response to his appointment, Jonathan said:

"I am delighted and humbled to be invited to serve the Diocese in this role at such an important and significant time for the Church and wider society. Having served most of my ministry as a Parish Priest, I passionately believe in the potential of the local church to be an agent of change for the glory of God. I am also aware of the challenges she faces and the uncertainties about the future.

"Through working collaboratively with key leaders (lay and ordained) and with other partners, we have before us a genuine opportunity to work together in new and creative ways, enabling the local church to grow in confidence and to fulfil her vision within her local context and I’m very much looking forward to being part of this journey."

Jonathan brings a wealth of experience from 14 years of working in the Diocese. His parish roles have been in Sherborne, Devizes and currently as Rector of Blandford Forum and Langton Long.

As a former Rural Dean, Chair of the House of Clergy and Chair of the Children and Young People Committee, he has a deep experience and understanding of the current ways of working in the diocese and the potential for parishes, schools and staff to work together as we develop beyond the present and respond to our fast changing context.

In making the appointment, Diocesan Secretary David Pain said:

"The key purpose of those working within the Diocesan team is to serve the mission and ministry of the Diocese, both at parochial level and centrally, by working with the Diocesan Bishop’s senior team in providing high quality, efficient and cost-effective services to parishes and local communities within our Diocese. We are seeking to get better at what we do and in being transparent and accountable. Jonathan is going to be at the heart of turning this vision into reality."

Confirming the appointment, the Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam said:

"This is an important post but present circumstances make it exceptionally so. Jonathan is well known within the diocese and was Chair of the Diocesan Synod House of Clergy. I am delighted he has been appointed."

The role involves both leading a small team of staff in mission ministry and communications, and working collaboratively across the Diocese as a whole with the Bishops, Archdeacons, Lay Chairs, Rural Deans and other local partners to enable the whole people of God to respond to the call of God in their lives and develop and deliver mission and ministry in a fast-changing context.

With Jonathan, the Diocese will be celebrating and incorporating difference in the ways we work, deepening confidence and building trust as we work together to reimagine the Church and who we are called to be.