The Rev Charlie Peer will start work as mission development officer in August, with a brief to promote our Ministry for Mission initiative. The post is full-time and he will be spending much of his time in parishes from a base in the diocesan offices. 

He will work closely with a number of parishes with differing challenges. The work will be proactive, although there may be some cases where deaneries and parishes ask for support in creating and implementing strategies. 

Charlie will move from his current post as priest-in-charge of St Kea, near Truro, where he has been since 2005.  

He was part of the steering group that introduced mission action planning to the Truro diocese and authored the group’s report. He’s now part of a new working group designing a strategy to implement the bishop’s vision. He’s run leadership courses and helps to train Readers. 

He loves preaching and teaching, and has a particular personal interest in communicating via social media and blogging. He is interested in naval history, which makes coming to Portsmouth exciting. He’s married with three teenage children, and was a science teacher before ordination. 

He said: “I am delighted to be coming to work in the Diocese of Portsmouth. It seems to be a diocese with a strong sense of identity and teamwork, and I’m looking forward to be part of that. 

“I’ve always been convinced that evangelism is at the heart of discipleship. In particular I am convinced by the ‘mixed economy’ approach. I’ve repeatedly seen how effective is it when parishes implement what is best in traditional worship and ministry. 

“When this is combined with innovative ideas for mission and community outreach, churches become places of grace and generosity, where all kinds of people can encounter Christ. 

“I see this role as a chance to support the parishes of the diocese in their work. This is an exciting time for the Church of England, as new opportunities for mission and serving the community are opening up all the time. I’m excited about working with the churches to find new and imaginative ways to stimulate growth and to carry out God’s mission in our society.”

Bishop Christopher said: “This new post will offer significant leadership – theological, strategic and practical – in encouraging and inspiring parishes to engage creatively with our Ministry for Mission framework.

“I will be asking Charlie to work intensively with a small number of parishes with different challenges, in cases where we judge such a contribution is needed. Though much of the work will be proactive, some will be reactive when deaneries or parishes ask for support in identifying their vision and implementing it.

“Charlie brings experience of parish ministry, enthusiasm for the church’s ministry, and an ability to stimulate creativity for the mission of the gospel. We expect he will be in demand across the diocese and well used in support of local ministry.”