Introduction by Dame Janet Trotter DBE
Chair of the Foundation for Church Leadership
Since the establishment of the Foundation for Church Leadership there has been a tremendous growth in the number of dioceses offering clergy leadership programmes. We would not claim the credit for this. Much hard and visionary work is being done in dioceses. What FCL has been able to do is encourage the exchange of information and to offer ways of reviewing the work which is being done. We have been able to fund and publish research into dioceses with different kinds of programme. Our Research Papers describe work in Oxford, Southwark, Chelmsford and Newcastle. Those for Ely, Carlisle and Liverpool on associated topics will be published later.

It seemed appropriate that, with half of the dioceses in the Church of England developing leadership programmes, a review of a range of themes would be helpful.  FCL was fortunate in gaining financial support from the Dulverton Trust to commission further work. The Rev Dr Martin Kitchen has examined a range of programmes and given a description and theological reflection on them. We are most grateful to him for this thorough contribution.

The Trustees of FCL felt that a further piece of work was required to go alongside Martin’s review. They the Foundation for Church Leadership to examine the stories of the establishment of the programmes as well as their educational content and to describe areas of good practice in establishing a leadership development programme.  His review forms the second part of this booklet and we appreciate the knowledge he has applied in identifying emerging ideas and issues for consideration. He has also described the key components of an effective programme and we hope that this analysis will stimulate further thought and action.

While there are many dioceses and parts of some other denominations with leadership development programmes, there remain half of the dioceses in the Church of England without such provision. FCL will continue with its advocacy role with the aim of encouraging senior leadership teams to introduce such activity into their dioceses. Support from the Dulverton Trust will enable us to continue this work.

A learning church with a mission-oriented focus cannot be effective without properly trained and supported leaders and leadership teams. I am grateful that FCL has been welcomed as a partner in this work. We lead from a particular place, committed to the strengthening of the leadership within the churches and to the communication of the Christian gospel. This Research Paper gives an overview of the achievements and issues which emerge as leadership development becomes embedded in the life of our churches. A Foundation such as ours has a distinctive contribution to make in this endeavour and we hope that our work supports and encourages all that you would want to do.

FCL Publication
ISBN: 0-9550573-7-X
Price: £7.50
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