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The Diocese of Canterbury has been awarded £1 million to invest in its key mission which includes increasing the number of young disciples.
Seven youth ministers will be working with churches in our diocese over a five-year period, with £460,000 of the funding going towards this.
A share of £560,000 will be used to support our deaneries as they continue to develop mission plans, with the aim of growing church communities and boosting young discipleship.
It will also help to fund two cohorts of up to eight people on the Ministry Experience Scheme, which gives young people an opportunity to do a year-long placement gaining experience of ministry, particularly with youth. It is hoped that this scheme might be a gateway to a further calling to ministry. This aligns with the Church of England’s aim to double the number of children and young people in the Church of England by 2030.
Included in the investment was also an agreement in principle to form a church plant, with the intention being to grow the number of disciples in our diocese.
Strategic Programme Manager for our diocese Colin Evans said: “This investment shows endorsement for our evolving strategy for a flourishing and sustainable future.
“We are confident of further investment in the future as our plans develop because we have shown that our plans are aligned to national church goals.”
Funding was granted by the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board in a show of recognition for work within the diocese and its plans for the future.
The board was formed by the Church of England after it announced its 2023-2031 spending plan.
John Spence, Chair of Strategic Mission and Investment Board, said: "We have been really pleased and impressed by so many creative plans for the Church to become younger and more diverse.
"These latest plans have the potential to be a rich source of learning for the Church as we seek to engage more effectively with children and young people in ways which more fully reflect the diverse communities we serve."
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