Dear Friends and Supporters,
I trust this message finds you well. It is with a heart full of gratitude for your ongoing support that I wish to share some important news and updates regarding our ministry.
Following a recent review of the responsibilities, roles and structure of the current Senior Management Team, I am making a number of important changes to strengthen focus and leadership in the ministry across several areas. The changes will result in a re-shaped Senior Leadership Team, re-allocating key responsibilities to create three new roles while losing two current roles. Let me explain.
Capernwray’s mission is not changing. The Lord has blessed the work of our Bible School and Holiday conference ministry for many decades. The Board of Trustees, I and the existing Senior Management Team all remain so grateful for the Lord’s transforming presence in the work here. In His kindness He is enabling the Bible School and the Holiday programmes to flourish and develop as new streams and new holidays are introduced, and we trust that will continue, in order to bless and equip students and guests for many years to come.
I have been Managing Director at Capernwray for 18 months now and have spent that time listening and learning about the ministry and how the organisation operates. As a result and after a recent period of consultation, my intention, which has been endorsed by the Board, is to change the Senior Team to further strengthen the leadership capacity of the ministry.
The reasons for this are to spread portfolios of work and responsibility more evenly, to improve overall team health and unity, and to focus on particular areas for long-term improvement: specifically encouraging staff performance and growth, managing the large volunteer team, and working in greater depth on marketing and external relations (including an alumni programme).
This will create a new Senior Leadership Team. While the Bible School Principal and the Finance and Operations Director roles are largely unchanged, three new senior roles have been created and may shortly be advertised to open competition both internally and externally. They are:
- Holiday and Volunteer Programmes Director
- Human Resources and Administration Director
- Marketing and External Relations Director
The current SMT roles of Holiday Programme Manager and Administration and Communications Director are being withdrawn. Two members of staff in the withdrawn roles (Dougie Roy & Julie Burrows) will face redundancy in 2024, if they choose not to trial or apply for a new role, or if following the recruitment process no suitable alternative role is secured.
As you would expect, all of us at Capernwray are committed to caring for the whole staff team and each member of it, from when they join, as they serve and grow with us, and ultimately as they hand over their work to those who follow them in order to start the next chapter of life. The news of change may be unexpected but I am confident of His leading for everyone involved.
We thank you in advance for your prayer-filled support for the Lord’s work here during this season of change for the staff community. Please pray specifically for those staff members and their households who are directly impacted by these changes, that unity in the Lord will continue to prevail, that decisions will be made wisely and that all staff will know the Lord’s peace and direction at this time.
Thank you for helping us in our mission “To proclaim the transforming presence of Jesus Christ through biblical teaching and practical training, equipping men and women for service in His church worldwide.”
Job advertisements for two of the new senior roles are also being posted at this time. If you have any particular questions or comments, please do email me at brian.wickens@capernwray.org or call me directly +44 (0)1524 738006.
Thank you.
Brian Wickens
Managing Director
Capernwray