Anglican evangelical mission agency CPAS has appointed a new pioneer minister to resource mission in multi-parish benefices.
The Reverend Pam Macnaughton has spent the last five years working as an ordained pioneer minister at four churches in Bishopthorpe near York. She is also a diocesan adviser for pioneer ministry in the Diocese of York.
Mrs Macnaughton joins CPAS as leadership specialist in recognition of the changing church landscape. With an increasing number of parishes being made up of three or more churches - over 60% in some dioceses - CPAS has made equipping leaders in this setting one of its key priorities.
As pioneer minister, Mrs Macnaughton will be responsible for overseeing CPAS's new project to help multi-parish benefices be more effective in mission.
Other responsibilities include developing lay and ordained leaders in a wide variety of other settings through training and resources.
"As someone who longs to see churches reaching out and growing, rather than just surviving, I'm really excited to be heading up the multi-parish benefice project, as well as contributing to CPAS' wider ministry of leadership development," she said.
James Lawrence, leadership principal at CPAS said: "We're delighted that Pam is joining us, and know her experience of pioneering new congregations in multi-parish settings will contribute to this vital area of our work.
"With increasing interest in our leadership development days, programmes and resources from across churches and dioceses, Pam will be a great addition to the team."
Pam joins CPAS' other leadership specialist, Charles Burgess, and will continue to be based in York, where she lives with her family.
