WE HAVE AN ANOUNCEMENT TO MAKE….
On many levels the announcement on Sunday 14th December may have come as a surprise. It may well have thrown up all sorts of questions.
Why is he going?
What’s wrong with us and here?
Why only next door?!
What happens next?
It only occurred to me today how apposite is the quote that I have been sharing with Christ Church over the last few weeks – from Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
”We must allow ourselves to be interrupted by God…..we must not assume that our schedule is our own to manage , but allow it to be arranged by God”
How appropriate it feels as I write this blog!
So, what follows is some background, a form of the story that brings us to this place, some practicalities about what is to come, and some thoughts for the future.
2024 was a terrible year for me personally. 2025 has been a time of settling into a new routine.
The thing about being a vicar is that your home comes with the job. And so I remain in the family home even after that family has been separated and disrupted. This fact has not haunted me particularly but it sometimes hits me.
If that were the only reason to move it would be an insufficient one.
But it is true to say that the move will be a “fresh start”.
My family connections are still within 6 miles of Purley and so a move to Sanderstead (or somewhere as close) would be convenient.
Again, helpful, but not a good reason to move on.
But God sometimes plants a seed, waters it and makes it grow.
I know a little of Sanderstead Parish. We were approached to maybe team up with them in 2019 to plant out in mission, in the Hamsey Green area. I knew the most recent Rectors, one quite well through New Wine. I know people currently in the church and , through them , after a year of talking about it, I got to meet, train and know a group of 12 members during our Pastoral training. All these were connections which allowed me to find out more of what will become my new parish.
Getting on with new friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, is not a reason to move.
But during the summer the Lord laid Sanderstead parish on my heart which led to a conversation with the Archdeacon. I knew that they had advertised before and that had not worked out. The profile came out and I could sense a match between my experience and what they were looking for.
It was at this time of discernment that I had a picture of my ministry. By looking back the picture was that I was “more the skipper of the tugboat than the captain of the ocean liner”. By that I mean that what I have done, or at least sought to do in all three of my parishes so far is to help turn over the soil and prepare for fresh seed planting and growth. If you are still following the mixed metaphors (!) that started to confirm that one more parish might be what God was calling me to (note not away from!)
God’s call is a reason to move.
One further dynamic is that I have 5 remaining years until I intend to retire (I am 62 in February). One more challenge, one more field to turn over and prepare, would require 5 or so years. There is a saying – “don’t overestimate what you will see in one year or underestimate what you will see in five!”
So, combine all these factors, and you have the ingredients to my decision to apply. I was shortlisted and the interview was on Monday last – being successful the announcement was made as soon as possible.
Church appointments are always cloaked in secrecy mostly because no one wants churches to find out either that their vicar is leaving or who the new one is by rumour.
It was a huge relief when it was out in the open. And I apologise to all those who would have liked to have known beforehand. It’s just how it’s done.
God has interrupted us both. And that raises the practical question of what happens next?
Yet to be decided is my last Sunday at Christ Church and then some weeks later my installation at Sanderstead. The intervening period is available to allow me to move house, set up and settle in and have a pre-installation retreat.
Meanwhile all can be praying for my successor.
That may sound premature but let me explain. I remember when we entered a vacancy when I was a curate. The advice of the Rector as he left was “its easier to steer a moving ship”. What he meant was that while no major changes can be made with no incumbent a vacancy is not a time to stagnate!
And the good ship Christ Church is a moving ship, following the lead of the Holy Spirit, into new waters.
The process from now is as follows:
• Write a profile about the parish and what sort of person you think you are looking for (after consultation and written by nominated persons and agreed by PCC on your behalf).
• Appoint representatives who will be on the interview panel with the Archdeacon and Bishop (most likely)
• Advertise and invite applications
• Short list candidates
• Arrange a visit to the parish for candidates
• Interviews
• Decide who should be appointed
Then an announcement is made in each church ……..
Needless to say, the earlier the profile is compiled the earlier this process can start!
I have no influence on any of this, it would not be appropriate to do so.
However, I would like to close by suggesting to you all that Christ Church Purley will be a very attractive church to lead (even though I am biased, this is objectively true…). Here are a few reasons:
- Making Passionate Disciples for Christ - many externally have commented to me that this is a great mission statement
- Pressing into, and developing in, Spirit filled worship
- A developing diversity in the congregation
- Increasing opportunities for a wider range of people in leadership
- Worship for Everyone and intentional intergenerational worship
- Ever closer links with the schools
- Recognised as an evangelical church with teaching of God’s Word aligned with that of the current teaching of the Church of England
- A church that has approached the issues facing the national church and come to a settled view on the Prayers of Love and Faith (this will need to be referenced in the profile)
- Sustained growth in Kids work
- A vibrant youth group
- Good relations with local churches including bilateral working
- An expanding pastoral team
- A Foyer that offers free hospitality and yet still makes a financial contribution to the church (a fact that I share with anyone who will listen – and many admire this immensely)
- Great support for the older community with events and activities
- Support for social action projects such as the local Food Hub
- A fantastic staff team and many extremely diligent volunteers
- Many other things – including a desire to improve and capitalise on all of the above!!
- Oh, and a pretty decent vicarage!! (also important…)
It is no surprise that the Archdeacon, when he visited last week, was very complementary about what he saw and heard on a one day “Parish Conversation”.
So please do pray.
God has interrupted us. He wants to bless three things:
- My last few months with you
- My move and the new parish
- The person he has chosen as your new captain – you are exiting the harbour I think and have a great journey ahead – and your new captain will I am sure direct you to exciting places in God’s mission here in Purley.
You are in my prayers too.
But I haven’t gone yet – so let’s make the most of the first few months of 2026!
May you all be blessed this Christmas and know the glory of the coming of the Lord.
And may we be found ready and watching and waiting for when he comes again.
All for his glory
Amen.
Doug
PS always happy to have a coffee to discuss any of above…
BREAK THE ROOF TILES…