The Diocese of Bristol is delighted to announce that the Revd Lee Barnes has been appointed to the roles of Adviser for Fresh Expressions of Church and Adviser for Curacy. He will take up these roles in October 2023.
The Adviser for Fresh Expressions of Church is a new role in the Diocese, funded as part of the Transforming Church Together programme. In this role Lee will be supporting people across the Diocese of Bristol to set up and run new forms of church that enable people to encounter Christian faith in new ways.
The Adviser for Curacy is a crucial role in supporting those in their first post following ordination. Lee will co-ordinate a training programme and assessment for curates, and offer support to curates and training incumbents.
Lee said:
“I am really looking forward to starting my new roles for Bristol diocese in October. Bristol has been home for my family and I over many years and as someone with an interest in music, art, festivals (I co-lead a church at Glastonbury festival), football, spoken word and experiencing colourful-chaos it is a great place to be. But I have also had the privilege of being able to serve in different roles across the diocesan landscape over the years and am excited to do so again!
I am passionate about finding ways of connecting the reality of God with the reality of people's everyday lives through relevant and engaged spaces and places and communities that enable an encounter with the grace and truth of Jesus. At the same time, I am just as passionate about the deep formation and creative development of future ministers who will serve and lead others into shaping, and navigating, the future of the people of God.
I have been so grateful to work with wonderful colleagues in Gloucester diocese, who I will miss, and I look forward to working with new colleagues in Bristol diocese and hope that I can contribute, in some small ways, to the vision of transformation, reconciliation, restoration and faith in Jesus across the diocese. I look forward to meeting you”.
The Revd Dr Simon Taylor, Director of Mission and Ministry Support said: "I am delighted that Lee is returning to the Diocese of Bristol in these roles. His creativity, energy and care will be huge gifts to the Diocese as he begins these crucial roles. I look forward to working with Lee on fresh ways of encountering Jesus in worshipping communities, and in supporting those in the early stages of ordained ministry."