An Authorised Local Leader is a key contact person, who can appropriately action or delegate action when information from the Diocese and also from the local neighbourhood community is communicated to them.
The Local Leader will also have a significant role in ensuring that the Leadership Team (with the incumbent the Church Wardens, the PCC and other lay and ordained ministers) develop the gifts of the whole congregation, and help the church grow in its mission and ministry in that location. They will be a visible presence of the gospel and act as a ‘bridge’ between the church and the local community. At times they will be a conduit to the local clergy. They will be authorised by the bishop for three years, supported by the diocese and rooted in the local community.
The model of ministry outlined in this document is not to solve leadership challenges, nor will it necessarily reverse decline in some of our most fragile parishes. This model of ministry seeks to address the challenge of leadership capacity within (predominantly, though not exclusively) multi-parish benefices.
The development of Local Leadership Teams should not be seen as an easy or cheap alternative to clergy. Building an effective Local leadership Team is costly and time consuming but, we believe, the benefits of such an investment can outweigh the costs.
Read the Authorised Local Leadership document in full.
An Introduction to Authorised Local Leadership
A Case Study on Authorised Local Leadership
A Case Study on Authorised Local Leadership: Update