Finding space to make connections

Rebecca Evans (Certificate in Theology, Ministry and Mission with an African Christianity focus) talks about her role in Cornwall and how the course is bringing new ideas to life.

HH: Hi, Rebecca, can you tell me about your context? And whether your previous education has prepared you for the challenges?

RE: My current role is Ministry Development and Inclusion Officer within Truro Diocese, which covers a whole variety of pieces of work. 

What I find most fulfilling is working with parishes and their unique contexts. I’ve worked for the diocese for 14 years this year and so I believe I have a good grounding in understanding the nature of parishes within the diocese, many of which are deeply rural.

My previous education and vocational experiences have equipped me very well to work with people and to help diverse groups find common ground. For 18 months I worked for a small charity and studied community development at the same time. It has been valuable to share this learning with many of the parishes I work with. I think an Asset Based Community Development approach can not only provide direction to parishes but also help them to work jointly with their communities.   

I understand that last year you launched a podcast which explores ministry and theological issues. Can you tell me any of the interesting things you are discovering related to this?

Launching the podcast ended up being a bit of diving in at the deep end, in that I’m not a particularly techy person but thought it would be great to give people a bitesize insight into a particular topic, to think about whether it was something they’d like to explore further. 

So, for the first one, I came across Jo on Twitter (X) who was studying for a PhD in trauma-informed theology. It sounded fascinating, so I reached out to her, and she was happy to give it a go. We had a conversation about possible questions and then one evening just recorded our conversation on Zoom. It felt very natural just talking and listening to what she had to say.

We put it out a couple of months later and had some great comments about how informative it was. So, I started to explore doing some others. To begin with, I was a bit nervous about subjects that I didn’t know much about, like AI for instance, but I have found that gave me an opportunity to ask the questions that might seem obvious but provided listeners with a basic understanding.

One of my favourite ones has been interviewing Professor Susannah Cornwall on Trans theology. She was so incredibly knowledgeable but able to present in an accessible way and we were able to explore some of the things that we might have learnt biases against.   

I know you are supporting parishes through transition, also called vacancy or interregnum, writing the parish profiles etc. Our church is going through this time now. Have you any insights on how churches can work well through this period of change?

Yes, I love working with parishes on this. I think the temptation can often be to rush the process because every parish wants a new vicar as soon as possible! However, by taking a bit longer and spending time studying scripture together the discernment process itself can often help the parish(es) to grow in confidence. Many of our roles are for Oversight Ministers so helping the parishes to work together in this time is part of preparing the ground for someone to be appointed.  

I think there is also a danger of trying to show the parish in the best possible light, that everything is sorted. I try to encourage a deep sense of honesty in the profile so that it highlights the challenges or where they are struggling. Having spent time speaking to clergy about what they look for in a profile they have often said they’re looking to see if their skills can make a difference. In this sense, a parish having recognised the gaps means there can be a shared sense of vision or need moving forward.

One of the important alignments is appointing a priest of the same church tradition as the parishes – whilst there may be some diversity across parishes in an oversight role there are often similarities that they can agree upon. As part of the profile, I ask the representatives to write a bit about the church – but to focus mainly on what it is like to worship there rather than the details of the building. This helps to underline that the discernment is a two-way process, both for the parish and the clergy. 

Please can you also tell me about the newly established EDIJ Board looking at how your diocese values all people and caters for different needs. Have you discovered any especially pertinent information for the church as a whole?

The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Justice (EDIJ) Board took some time to establish and there were lots of conversations about who should chair it. We needed someone with enough knowledge of the complex structure of the Church of England as well as being able to bring challenge. It is still newly established, but we have had some great conversations about how to value diversity and the difficulty of doing so well when people hold such different views. 

A key area that we have focused in on is how we make the work integral to all that we do, rather than an add-on. I think this is pertinent for the whole church because otherwise there is a risk that it becomes something we think about for a season without bringing transformative change. 

To achieve this, we need to find ways of making it part of existing structures and decision making. For example, in the transition process, as well as requiring parish representatives to do Safer Recruitment training, we also now require them to do a Shortlisting and Interview Good Practice workshop which explores diversity in the Bible, the people that God chose, alongside an opportunity for honest discussion about unconscious bias. 

Your location is Cornwall, I am sure it has some unique delights and unique challenges. Can you say more about that? And Transformation Cornwall?

I live in Cornwall which is a beautiful county with rugged coastline, beautiful beaches, and expansive moorland. The Diocese of Truro covers Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and two parishes in Devon.

I’m sure there are unique elements to every diocese and one of ours is that many of our parishes are deeply rural (some will literally have more sheep than people). A specific challenge in that is to explore how churches are fruitful and sustainable in that context. This includes being intentional about valuing the small things. Our Diocesan Secretary speaks of a satsuma not being a failed orange. 

Many of our churches may be struggling in terms of attendance numbers on a Sunday but their ministry is as a rhythm of the rural communities in which they are located. 

The BBC programme Cornwall with Simon Reeve provided viewers with an insight into Cornwall that is very different from the idyllic holiday destination often portrayed. The programme exposed the extent of hidden poverty and how it touches on so many areas of life. Many of our communities and churches are pioneering in the way they tackle this, which is an essential part of their mission and evangelism. 

Transformation Cornwall is a charity that was originally funded mainly by Church Urban Fund. I’ve worked with them very closely since I joined the Diocese in 2011. In 2012 we jointly hosted the first Meet the Funders event that was aimed at bringing together those of all faiths and none to help with funding for community projects. The programme has changed over time, but we still host a yearly spring event which brings together national and local funders with grassroots projects. 

Please tell us what led you to study at CMS and how you have found it?

Last year I thought that it would be a good point to do some further study. My youngest child had finished his first year at school and I felt like I had a bit more space and was hungry for learning. I was keen to explore opportunities that would provide me with deeper theological knowledge to help me with some of the challenges I face when working with diverse parishes.

I’m currently studying for a Certificate in Theology with an African Christianity Focus. It has been a learning curve to get back into the rhythm of writing essays (and referencing!) but the course has been enlightening in so many ways.

It has helped me to underpin some of the outreach and facilitation work I do, to bring new and fresh ideas to it and I’ve loved the discussions which take place in the lessons as well as meeting lots of new people. 

You are halfway through your first year with us, what have been some highlights?

I’ve very much valued the discussions we’ve had during the sessions and the support that is provided by both CMS and other students. I’m finding it difficult to think of one or two highlights because the whole experience is so valuable.

I have immersed myself in so many books about the different topics we’ve been studying but I suppose having the space to make those connections to how I can apply that to my role has been the most transformative element.

The sessions are facilitated sensitively and safely so that there is opportunity for discussion but also space to listen and hear different perspectives and to disagree well when that is the outcome.

Two of my favourite books so far have been Christianity Rediscovered and Theology Brewed in an African Pot.

How can we pray for you?

I’m always moved by the prayer about letting go of what is not needed and taking time for rest. I think in my context that is something I need to be attentive to. It is very easy to try and hold onto everything and to be what everybody needs but having the grace to recognise the specific things that God is calling me to is harder. So I’d very much appreciate prayers for that discernment for now and the future. 

Get our email newsletter:

SIGN UP