A Blackpool vicar is preparing to move to Walsall where he will take up his new and unique role to help churches across the diocese develop and implement evangelism and mission work.
The Rev George Fisher, currently Vicar of St Thomas' Church in Blackpool, will be licensed to the newly created post of Director of Parish Mission at Lichfield Cathedral on 26 September. His brief is to help local churches work through the diocese's 'Going for Growth' strategy.
He testified that the parish-focus of the role excites him most: "I have never been much interested in the idea of a diocesan role but I was attracted to this as it is specifically directed to developing the potential for growth in the local parish church - something I'm passionate about.
"Moving to Lichfield Diocese is going to be a bit of a step into the dark as I know little about the area but what I have heard from colleagues who've headed this way before me is that the strap line 'Going for Growth' isn't just words but is a reality - which holds out the promise of some very exciting times ahead."
Feeling that the team within the diocese would be well behind his focus towards evangelism, Rev Fisher added that he had been "immediately impressed that the diocese is structured for growth" and that senior staff are "fully supportive" of evangelism, mission and growth.
Rev Fisher said his background in a semi-rural parish with high unemployment and an underprivileged parish in a holiday town inner city problems meant that he was "under no illusions of the hard grind of weekly parish life and the difficulties of trying to implement changes to encourage growth".
"More specifically, I'm familiar with Mission Action Plans and how they need to be geared to the local situation; I have much experience of planning missions and I have just co-ordinated Mission '007 - a week of James Bond-themed mission shared between five local Anglican churches here in Blackpool," he shared.
"We wanted people to be 'shaken and stirred', realise that 'diamonds aren't forever' and be able to 'live and NOT die!' Oh, and I have a dreadful sense of humour!"
