Equipping people to lead mission in London
Developing confident and equipped leaders is essential for the future of the Church.
The Strategic Mission Programme invests in clergy, lay leaders, apprentices and pioneers, helping churches build the leadership capacity they need for today and the future. This includes developing people already serving in churches, creating opportunities for new leaders to gain practical experience and helping churches develop the skills and confidence to respond to the changing needs of their communities.
Leadership development is not simply about filling roles. It is about helping people discern their gifts, grow in confidence, develop their ability to lead others and contribute to the mission of the Church in their local context.
Developing leadership through practical experience
The programme supports a range of approaches to leadership development. Apprenticeships provide people with the opportunity to combine practical experience in local churches with structured training and formation. Courses and other development opportunities help clergy and lay leaders reflect on their context, learn from others and develop practical approaches to mission.
The emphasis is on building leadership that is rooted in local communities and connected to the wider life of the Diocese.
Children and Youth Apprenticeships
The Children and Youth Apprenticeship Programme invests in parish ministry by developing and supporting apprentices to work with children and young people in local churches. Apprentices combine practical experience in their parishes with theological and ministry training, helping them develop their confidence, skills and leadership while contributing to the growth of children’s and youth ministry.
The programme is also helping churches develop longer-term leadership capacity, with apprentices contributing to new and existing activities for children and young people in their local communities.
Find out more about Children and Youth Apprenticeships
Estates Apprenticeship Scheme
The Estates Apprenticeship Scheme develops leaders from within estate communities and gives apprentices practical experience, training and support to serve and lead in their local contexts.
The programme combines teaching, peer learning and reflective practice, with apprentices increasingly taking visible leadership in their communities. It is also developing a model through which experienced church leaders can learn to lead future cohorts, helping build capacity to replicate the approach elsewhere.
The scheme is also helping apprentices explore the development of new worshipping communities and building learning about how these communities can be supported as they develop.
Find out more about the Estates Apprenticeship Scheme
Grow Course
The Grow Course provides churches with an opportunity to think more intentionally about growth, mission and discipleship in their own context.
It brings people together to reflect on their church, community and opportunities for mission, while learning alongside others. The emphasis is on practical application, helping participants translate learning into action within their own churches.
Find out more about the Grow Course
Leadership development across the Diocese
Alongside the named projects above, the Strategic Mission Programme supports leadership and ministry roles through Capacity Funding. These roles help build local capacity for mission and enable churches to develop the people and skills needed to sustain ministry over time.
The programme’s wider approach is therefore not about developing a single model of leadership. It is about creating the confidence, skills, relationships and practical experience that enable people and churches to lead mission effectively in their own contexts.
Want to find out more?
If you would like to explore leadership development opportunities, find out more about one of the projects or discuss how your church could develop its leadership capacity for mission, use the Mission Programme enquiry form to get in touch with the team