Developing your Ministry

Thursday 12 November, 7pm – 9pm online

Our churches are called to be communities in which people of every background are welcomed, valued and able to contribute their gifts. Yet all of us are shaped by our experiences, assumptions and unconscious biases, which can affect how we perceive and respond to others.

This interactive training will help participants explore conscious inclusion within the context of Christian faith, recognise some of the barriers people may encounter in our churches, and consider practical ways of creating communities in which a greater diversity of people can belong, participate and flourish.

Who should attend

The session is particularly suitable for those involved in lay or ordained leadership and ministry.

Tuesday 17 November & Wednesday 18 November, both days 9.15am – 5pm in Flitwick

Accredited by Mental Health First Aid England, training in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) will equip participants with a practical framework for supporting those experiencing mental health concerns.

This two-day course will:

• enhance participants’ knowledge and confidence in how best to help others, whilst looking after their own wellbeing
• within a church context, participants can reflect afresh on their theology of suffering, healing and recovery.

Who should attend:

* Priority will be given to clergy in active ministry.

The training is led by Humantalk, with places funded by the Clergy Support Trust.

Tuesday 19 January – Thursday 21 January 2027, in Luton. You must attend all 3 days, 9.15am – 4.30pm.

Facing times of tension and conflict can be challenging and particularly for those in leadership as we deal with our own anxieties as well as those of others.

This workshop is designed to equip you as a leader within your church enabling you to face situations of conflict with greater confidence and resilience. Including presentation, reflection and hands-on skills training, the workshop aims to provide opportunities:

• To increase your self-awareness as a leader facing conflict, so that you become clearer about how others experience you and more confident about some of what you have to offer, and where you may need to grow;
• To transform your attitude towards conflict and engaging with conflict, so that you are able to face conflict more constructively, and to model that attitude for others;
• To equip you with practical skills for working with conflict as a leader, so that you can engage with conflict more confidently in future.

Thursday 11 February 2027, 9.30am – 2.30pm at St Andrew’s Church, Langford

Churches which are well repaired and welcoming can help congregations grow and flourish. Yet the upkeep of places of worship can become a worry for church leaders.

This CMD day will consider the relationship between Church as people and place, before breaking into workshops to explore issues in four areas which can move the dial:

• unstaffed opening,
• adaptations such as loos and kitchens,
• churchyards, and
• halls.

The day will be honest about the challenges, advocate the value of doing the right thing for the long term, and show how small changes can have an aggregate impact and generate momentum for bigger projects.

The day will be led by the Revd Canon Dr Kenneth Padley, drawing on his recent book Kingdom Buildings. Throughout his ministry Kenneth has worked with local communities to help make their buildings fit for purpose, in the course of which he has found himself reflecting on the theology and mission of church fabric. He was a Vicar in the diocese 2012-22 and Rural Dean of St Albans. Between 2022 and 2025 he was the clergy lead on fabric issues at Salisbury Cathedral as Canon Treasurer where he is now Canon Chancellor.

Who should attend:

The day is intended for parish clergy, churchwardens, treasurers, and other volunteers who help maintain and finance the fabric of local churches.