The Bishop of Lichfields Director for Ministry Development, the Revd Lesley Bentley, is to step down from the role from the start of July.
Lesley has overseen the dioceses ministry development since 2009. She is stepping down to allow new arrangements to be put in place to coincide with the expected start date of the apprenticeship scheme for the new intake of curates this summer. Lesley will continue to offer interim ministry in Lichfield Diocese.
The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, said: Lesley has brought clarity and rigour to our patterns of ministerial development, together with a warm pastoral care particularly for those at the outset of their ordained lives. Her work is widely respected in the diocese and beyond, and her wisdom and expertise has been extensively drawn on by the national church. I am deeply appreciative of all that she has brought to our diocesan life together, and I am glad that she will still be in a position to offer her ministry in the diocese.