Church of England Birmingham has appointed Revd Canon Sally Gaze as new Director of Ministry.
In 
this senior role, Sally will lead the Ministry Development Team and will shape the culture, strategy and systems through which leaders are raised, formed, deployed and sustained across the Diocese.
Sally has served in parish ministry, diocesan leadership and national church roles, most recently as Archdeacon for Rural Mission in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, where she led the Growing in God in the Countryside programme.
Through that work she has helped churches discover fresh ways of making disciples, raising up leaders and growing new worshipping communities in villages, market towns and areas of rural deprivation.
Commenting on the appointment, Bishop Esther said: “Sally brings a deep love for Jesus and his Church, together with a breadth of experience in leadership development, discipleship and mission.
“Her ministry is marked by theological depth, prayerful leadership and a gift for helping people discern and grow into the vocation God has given them.
“Sally also brings significant expertise in enabling smaller and rural parishes to flourish, and we are delighted to welcome that wisdom and experience to our senior team.”
Sally has taught, written and spoken widely on mission, church planting, leadership and discipleship, seeking to equip others to flourish in their calling.
She serves on the General Synod of the Church of England and is a trustee of the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication.
Sally also has longstanding links with Birmingham, having trained at Queens theological college and completed postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham.
Revd Sally said: “I am delighted to be joining Church of England Birmingham and returning to a place that shaped my own ministry.
“I look forward to working with colleagues across the Diocese to nurture vocations, support the development of confident prayerful and pastoral ministers, and help churches grow disciples and share the good news of Jesus Christ in every community.”
This appointment comes at an important moment for Church of England Birmingham, as the Diocese continues to invest in raising, forming and sustaining leaders across the city and region.
Sally will oversee the formation and flourishing of lay and ordained leaders, strengthening vocational pathways and helping ensure Church of England Birmingham has the right leaders to see churches grow at the heart of each community.