Mission and Public Affairs

'Engaging with the world beyond the Church'

Who we are and What we do

The Division's purpose is - to co-ordinate, promote and further the national work of the Church of England in the fields of social and public affairs; mission and evangelism and healthcare chaplaincy. Its remit covers:

• The National Church's contribution to the shaping of society; responding to government policy on a wide spectrum of social, public policy and justice issues in this country and internationally

• The Church of England’s focus on racial justice through the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns (CMEAC)

• The work of healthcare/ hospital chaplains within the NHS through the Hospital Chaplaincies Council (HCC)

• The missionary calling of the Church in those aspects of God’s mission what have to do with evangelism, the missionary role of parish congregations, spirituality, theology, world mission, inter-faith relations, urban and rural concerns.

The division is clustered into three groups, each of the 14 Executive staff carry distinct portfolios which may often cut across the groupings and involve collaborative work. The Groups are as follows

• Mission

• Community and Public Affairs

• Hospital Chaplaincy

Staff

The Division's staff support an extensive range of diocesan and other networks and can advise on specific issues and on others to consult.

Director, Mission and Public Affairs - Malcolm Brown

MISSION

Staff focus on those aspects of mission to do with evangelism among adults and children, development of outward looking (‘mission-shaped’) congregations, engagement with spirituality in society beyond the Church, inter faith presence and engagement, world mission through world mission agencies and diocesan links; rural concerns and government rural policy. Much support is provided to diocesan networks. Reports for Synod debate and follow up in dioceses since 2004 include Presence and Prophecy; Mission-shaped Church; Voices from Africa; Enabling a World of Difference;  Children’s Strategy (with Education Division).

Mission and Evangelism -  Rev Paul Bayes

Evangelism Among Children

Inter Faith Relations - Revd Guy Wilkinson

Rural Concerns - Dr Jill Hopkinson

International Mission Concerns – Anglican Communion Mission Relations -  Mr Stephen Lyon

Mission Theology and New Religious Movements - Dr Anne Richards

COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Staff provide policy advice on social and public policy issues including home affairs, criminal justice, mental health, marriage and family life, environment, medical ethics, science and technology, urban issues, asylum, international and development affairs, also minority ethnic Anglican issues. Significant support for bishops in the Lords. Reports to Synod and follow up since 2004 have included Trade Justice, Asylum, Mental Health, Rethinking Sentencing, Embryo Research, Called to Act Justly;  Sharing God's Planet; The Church of England and Europe (jointly with CCU).

Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns - Mrs Sonia Barron

Marriage and Family Life - Mrs Sue Burridge

Urban Affairs - Revd Dr Andrew Davey

Science, Technology, Medicine and the Environment - Mrs Claire Foster

International and Development Affairs - Dr Charles Reed

Home Affairs -  Rev Christopher Jones

HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY

Staff provide the national focus for all chaplaincy work (Church of England, other denominations and multi faith) in NHS hospitals. Close links with Department of Health. Regular contact with chaplains in Trusts. Advice on matters to do with chaplaincy work. Runs a range of training programmes for chaplains. Coordinates panel of Bishop's Advisers (usually a member of the senior staff) on Healthcare Chaplaincy.

Chief Executive/Secretary - Revd Edward Lewis

Administrator/Training Officer - Tim Battle

Oversight and Accountability Structure

The Division is overseen by a Council, chaired by Dr Philip Giddings (a member of the Archbishops' Council).

September 2007