
Diocese of Derby
We believe that Derbyshire is a great place in which to live and
minister and further details of our latest vacancies can be found
by following the link below to our website.
The Diocese of Derby, founded in 1927, is almost co-terminus
with Derbyshire.
Approximately 997 square miles in size.
A population of about 1 million people, of whom nearly a quarter
live in the urban area of Derby.
The diocese (and county) has a rich variety of topography,
sociology and culture, ranging from the recognisably 'Midlands'
environment of the south, around Derby to the distinctly 'northern'
character of Chesterfield (the second main conurbation), the Peak
District and its market towns such as Bakewell, Buxton and
Glossop.
The Diocese : Key Themes
Derby is committed to missional and pastoral engagement in all
its communities, and to the realisation of the gifts of the whole
people of God in service and witness. Building on the diocesan
Report A Better Way, a vision for mission that saw it as
the shared responsibility of the whole people of God the diocesan
synod committed itself in 2003 to a Mission Strategy called
Renewing Ministry, rooted in a theology of ministry that
is collaborative and inclusive. Parishes are in formal cluster
arrangements - called Mission and Ministry Areas (MMAs) - each
under the servant leadership of an 'Area Vicar', as convenor and
focus for sharing of vision and resources across traditional
boundaries.
Three years into his episcopate Bishop Alastair conducted a
Visitation to the diocese in the Autumn of 2008 and as a result has
identified five key themes for our attention in the coming
years:
- spirituality
- pastoral organisation
- growth
- finance
- communication
The Diocese is launching a MAP initiative in 2011 to encourage
all parishes and MMAs to identify the growth and mission
opportunities in their area.
Our Role in the wider Community
The church continues to play a significant part in the public
life of the county; working alongside county, community and
business leaders.
It is a place where the concept of parish and church at the
centre of a community still has meaning; there are over thirty
distinct towns with populations between 10,000 and a 100,000
people, and this helps to define the character of the diocese.
A place of contrasts; from the agricultural villages in the west
to the ex mining communities of the East; we minister in a number
of contrasting environments.
The Economy
Tourism and the Rural economy
The Peak District is one of the most visited parts of the
country but with one of the lowest average spends by visitors,
because it is within easy travelling distances of four major
conurbations.
The beauty of the countryside can belie the rural deprivation of
a significant element of the population.
One of the major developments over the last decade has been the
growth in interest in food quality and provenance, spearheaded by
the nationally famous Chatsworth farm shop. A number of similar
enterprises have sprung up across the county allied with a growing
number of farmers' markets. There is a major annual food festival
in Bolsover, and Buxton, not to mention the pies and puddings of
Bakewell, and other regional delicacies. Food tourism is a growing
and high value business.
Quarrying
Whilst the coal mining of the eastern edge of the diocese has
all but disappeared, quarrying and cement making continue to be a
major part of the economy of the Peaks.
Manufacturing
The county is still a significant manufacturing centre, with an
above national average of people employed in this sector,
particularly in the south around Derby, with internationally known
names as well as many smaller enterprises.
- Rolls Royce aero engines
- Toyota cars
- Thornton chocolates
- JCB
- Bombardier
Education
Church schools make a significant contribution to the education
of the County.
The University of Derby plays a major part in the life of both
Derby and Buxton.
Future growth
Major developments in housing, warehousing and manufacture are
in process and planned along the M1 corridor; that marks the
eastern boundary of the Diocese, with similar development along the
A50 corridor; the southern boundary of the Diocese.
Responding to these new and expanding demands are just some of
the many challenges and opportunities facing the diocese at the
beginning of the 21st century.