National Church Backs Manchester Diocese’s Vision for Mission and Growth

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded significant funding by the national church for an inspiring investment programme to resource mission and ministry across Manchester Diocese. This support will strengthen the work already taking place in our parishes, schools and chaplaincies and ensure a lasting impact for years to come.

A total of £9.9m has been agreed by the Strategic Mission and Ministry Board (SMMIB) for the next four years, with the encouragement to apply for further funding.

At the end of November, Bishop David Walker launched the diocese’s strategy which has been developed following an extensive consultation exercise through our diocesan and deanery synods. Built around four key themes – Parish Renewal, Growing Younger, Church Planting and Revitalisation, and Developing Missional Leaders – this strategy formed the basis of our bid and will guide our work over the coming years.

At the heart of this support is our commitment to Parish Renewal, providing specialist, practical help to ensure the missional and financial sustainability of our parishes. This includes financial support for those wishing to establish New Worshipping Communities. Our aim is to ensure that every parish is equipped to thrive and serve its local community.

The funding will enable us to deepen our commitment to Growing Younger, nurturing children and young people on their discipleship journey. Building on the success of the Places Project in Bolton and the Man Dio Growing Faith programme across the rest of our diocese, the Encounter Project will provide additional children’s and youth workers, while the Equip training initiative will support lay and ordained leaders so they grow in confidence and develop their skills in ministry with children and young people.

Alongside this, the investment will support Church Planting and Revitalisation through strengthened partnerships with our existing resource churches and the Antioch Network. Six new resource churches representing a range of traditions will also be established and supported in planting new churches.

We will build on the work that is already taking place to bring forward and develop the next generations of missional ordained and lay leaders at every stage of their vocation, including a new, diverse generation of leaders equipped to grow faith communities.

This funding will enable Manchester Diocese to contribute to the Church of England’s bold outcomes which are to revitalise the parish system for mission, engage over 4,500 new young disciples, create 90 new Christian communities, and foster more than 400 new clergy and lay vocations.

Speaking on the day of the announcement, Bishop David Walker said:

“This investment is a wonderful affirmation of the vision we share across Manchester Diocese. It gives us the means to strengthen our parishes, nurture young disciples, and grow new Christian communities. My hope is that together we will make our churches places of welcome, growth, and transformation – signs of God’s love at the heart of every community.”

Canon John Walsh OBE, Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance, added:

“This is a landmark moment for our diocese. The support from the national church enables us to plan with confidence, steward our resources wisely, and ensure every parish has the opportunity to flourish. I want to thank all who have contributed so positively to this work – your dedication and faith have laid the foundations for an exciting new chapter.”

In April and May, we’ll be hosting deanery events to explore how this investment can support your ministry and mission. These gatherings will be an opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and prayerfully consider how we work together to achieve our shared vision.

Further details will follow soon – we hope you’ll join us.