The Church of England’s Ministry Division has appointed Carrie Myers, former Head of Volunteering for the MS Society, and a Reader in the Church of England, to lead its efforts to renew and encourage all forms of lay ministry across the country.

Promoting lay ministries is a major component of Renewal and Reform, the Church’s vision for a growing Church for all people in all places. The effort is spearheaded by the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester and Chair of the Central Readers Council.

Bishop Martyn said: "Given the flourishing of lay ministry within the church over recent years, it is now vitally important that every part of the church, local, regional and national, celebrates and integrates this work in to every other area of ministry.

"I am delighted to welcome Carrie who can help to coordinate this work nationally, and enable further growth in both the numbers of lay ministers and their development as theologians, practitioners and key partners in ministry."

In her previous role as Head of Volunteering at the MS Society, Carrie had strategic responsibility for the volunteering strategy, leading an improvement programme which achieved the Investing in Volunteers award. She has managed volunteers for USPG, coordinated projects and international events for Girlguiding, and enjoyed a gap year volunteering with Christian Aid.

Commenting on her appointment, Carrie said: “I'm thrilled to be joining the team and getting stuck in to developing this new role. I am passionate about lay ministry, find my own ministry deeply rewarding and excited to be in a role supporting and encouraging others with a vocation to lay ministry. I am looking forward to bringing my professional and theological skills to the job, supporting such a key area.”

Mandy Ford, Director of The Church of England's Ministry Division, said: “We are delighted to welcome Carrie to the team. This is a substantial role and a wonderful opportunity for us to make a real impact on the shape of the Church’s ministry. Carrie has extensive experience inspiring, encouraging and supporting volunteers. As a member of our senior management team, Carrie will share in the strategic leadership of Ministry Division, ensuring lay ministry remains a key component of our thinking, planning, and resourcing.”

Carrie has a BA and MA in theology from Durham University. She has been a licensed Reader in the Parish of Putney, in the Diocese of Southwark since 2013 and has been a member of General Synod since 2015. She’s an enthusiastic cyclist, a keen traveller and is currently cultivating new gardening skills.

The appointment comes as the Church of England sets out a renewed vision for Reader ministry, more on which can be found at churchofengland.org/developing-lay-ministries.


Source URL: https://www.churchofengland.org/media/press-releases/church-england-appoints-champion-lay-ministries