New, yet Familiar

The Revd Jonathan Triffitt, Rector of Blandford Forum & Langton will be taking up the role of interim Director of Mission and Ministry and Deputy Diocesan Secretary.

The new position has been created as part of the new Church House team structure that aims to offer even more support to our parishes in their mission and ministry.

Jonathan is well known to many in the Diocese as the former Rural Dean of Milton & Blandford Deanery, Chair of the House of Clergy (from which he will absent himself to prevent any conflict of interest), and member of the Diocesan Board of Education with responsibility for Chairing the Children and Young Peoples Committee (CYPC).

Jonathan said:

"I am immensely grateful to Bishop Nicholas and the Diocesan Secretary, David Pain, for the trust they are placing in me and for this unique opportunity to help influence and shape the future vision and direction of Mission and Ministry across the Diocese at a time of significant change and challenge.

"The work that is emerging from the review undertaken by Bishop John is helping to shape our thinking and practice as we look to further enable, equip and support our Parishes and Schools to live out the Kingdom of God with renewed hope, excitement and courage."

Jonathan also serves as a member of the Mission and Ministry Council and has been close to the emerging new thinking about our Diocesan priorities.

Prior to his current role, Jonathan served as Vicar at Southbroom, Devizes where he was also Rural Dean, and before that as the Associate Vicar of Sherborne Abbey and Chaplain to St Paul’s and the Gryphon School.

David Pain, Diocesan Secretary welcomed Jonathan’s appointment saying:

"Jonathan has demonstrated a commitment to developing community, equipping and empowering others, building creative partnerships with other local agencies. He brings a deep and wide understanding of the diocese.

"Jonathan joins us at an exciting turning point in our work and mission, bringing the perspective of the local church into the heart of our work at this important time.

“Next week we will start the new team structure, working to the remits agreed in the change consultation last year. Establishing a new team of those working in mission, ministry and communications is a task Jonathan is well suited to with his experience of collaborative and empowering working across the diocese and parish. His prayerful, Jesus-centred enthusiasm for future directions in mission and ministry is infectious.

"I am delighted that Jonathan will also carry the wider remit of deputy Diocesan Secretary in which he will be working with me and the leadership team to establish our priorities and new ways of working across the DBF as a whole.

"I am grateful to the Bishops and Jonathan’s churchwardens for releasing him from his benefice responsibilities for this period. This will be as a secondment for 6 months and he will continue to spend one day per week as part of the parish team.

"I am very confident that this fresh start is one that will create new opportunities for creative collaborative work across the diocese as we take the next steps in mission and ministry.

"Please join me in welcoming Jonathan to this new role."

Joy Tubbs, our Director of Education said:

"I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to this post; it is exciting to move into the future in partnership. From your friends at the DBE Jonathan, our congratulations. We are thankful for all that Jesus is doing in and through you."