Parish review and the role of the incumbent in bringing other Churches in.

The Bishop of Barking commissioned an East Ham Churches Ministry Review of the Parish of East Ham and its relation to other Churches in the area. The Review’s findings and the Bishop’s recommendation are summarised here.

1. The churches in East Ham would, we believe, benefit from closer co-operation. Co-operation would aid strategic thinking and make better use of existing resources

2. It suggested that a larger team or association be formed facilitated through this appointment of this role as Priest-in-Charge | Rector – Designate.

3. The appointed Incumbent should have the strategic capacity, and sensitivity, to collaborate with neighbouring parishes of St George’s and St Paul’s towards the formation of a mission cluster or possibly a Group or a Team if that seems appropriate.

4. In the first two years of appointment the Incumbent will work with the Area Dean and surrounding Parishes within the scope of the Review to identify and establish an appropriate membership for the cluster or appropriate structure.

5. The Incumbent will need to take a lead in developing new lay leadership across the churches and encouraging the refreshing of existing leaders. The creation of the team will provide an opportunity to review where a person with a strong skillset could support particular activities across the churches.

Implementing these proposals would be a major part of the new Incumbent’s responsibilities and we at St Bart’s are enthusiastic about the possibilities they offer.