CAPTION: John Lees is a self-supporting minister and career coach in East Devon
New National Role for Self-Supporting Minister
A self-supporting parish priest from Devon has been appointed as the first ever National Officer for Self-Supporting Ordained Ministry.
The Reverend John Lees works is based in Colyton in East Devon and is the Bishop’s Officer for Self-Supporting Ministry (SSM) in the Diocese of Exeter.
He is the author of Self-Supporting Ministry: A Practical Guide.
This year he helped set up a national SSM steering group looking at ways of encouraging self-supporting ministers and attracting new SSMs.
Self-Supporting Ministers are ordained clergy who do not receive a stipend (salary) for their work and support themselves financially.
John Lees leading a wedding
There are around 3000 SSMs in England and they make up a quarter of licensed clergy.
As part of his new role, John will work with the National Vocations Team and sit on the Ordained Vocations Working Group.
He said “This is a great honour and I am pleased and delighted to have this role.
“The decision to have national SSM officer indicates a direction of travel and shows serious engagement with SSMs.”
When he is not working as a priest, John is a career strategist and author.
“It is important to have clergy around who connect with the world of work”
One of his most recent books is How To Get A Job You Love and he explained that his secular and church roles are closely related.
“I felt called to be a self supporting ordained minister because I feel it’s useful to have clergy around who connect with the world of work – ministers who explain the church to the world, and the world to the church!
“Everything I do is ministry, especially my role as a career coach – boosting people’s confidence and helping them understand their gifts and skills feels like an important part of what I am called to do.”
Philip Sourbut, Director of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese of Exeter, said “I am delighted that John has been appointed to this national role.
“As Bishops Officer for Self-Supporting in Exeter Diocese he has made an enormous difference to our SSM support.
“He brings together significant expertise in his work as a career strategist, substantial ministry experience and a gracious caring wisdom.
“He models SSM ministry at its best.”
If you would like to find out more about different vocational opportunities in the Church of England or talk to someone about what you feel God might be calling you to, please have a look at our vocations page.
