Diocese of Chichester

In the Diocese of Chichester some 70% of the parishes are rural.

The Bishop said “One of the biggest challenges to our Vision for Growth 2020-2025 is sustained numerical growth particularly in rural areas. This is compounded by limited resources being stretched in the countryside, by virtue of geography and multi-parish benefices. So we are very pleased to be able to appoint a Rural Officer to advise, resource and encourage our rural parishes.”

The joint role is funded in partnership with the Ashburnham Thanksgiving Trust, an evangelical missionary-focused charity.

Richard Bickersteth, a trustee of Ashburnham Thanksgiving Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the Diocese of Chichester in creating this new rural officer role and look forward in faith to seeing this resource multiply in spiritual harvest across East Sussex.”

Mark Betson, national rural officer for Church of England, said: “It is great to hear of both the recognition and support by the Diocese of Chichester and Ashburnham Thanksgiving Trust of the opportunity and needs presented in the rural communities of East Sussex.

“Nationally we are seeing a renewed interest by those working in staying local and people of working age looking to move to rural areas. This combined with the church growth potential in these places highlighted by the work of Theos and the Church Urban Fund in the GRA:CE project mean that this post could not come at a more crucial time.”

The post holder will be responsible for serving the rural community in East Sussex through linking the Church with organisations with a rural focus, to offer a voice in the diocese and to advise and encourage parishes and senior staff on rural issues. They will operate primarily within the Archdeaconries of Hastings and Brighton and Lewes as well as the wider church.

Job advert here and the deadline for applications is March 22.