Community Missioner Appointed

Bishop Susan Bell is delighted to appoint the Reverend Canon Dr. Ian Mobsby to serve as community missioner, effective August 1.

“In this important role,” said Bishop Susan Bell, “Ian will bring all of his considerable experience and expertise gained over decades of church planting in the Dioceses of London and Southwark. He is a pioneer in the fields of contextual theology and mission and has supported fresh expressions of church for a generation. His groundbreaking scholarly work in these areas underscores his fine practical experience.”

Ian’s role will seek to increase the capacity and passion for Spirit-led and entrepreneurial missional opportunities and initiatives within the diocese, to support and equip church planters, chaplaincies, and neighbourhood and intercultural missioners, and to help reshape the culture and structures of the diocese to reflect a spiritually renewed missional orientation. Working in collaboration with the diocesan senior leadership team, the missioner will help draw the circle of faith wider by providing consultative services in missional development, strategic planning, and community formation.

Ian is a writer and speaker with an enthusiasm of new monasticism. He has prior experience in the Church of England, most notably in new monastic communities and Fresh Expressions of Church. He is also an Associate Missioner of the Church of England Archbishop’s Fresh Expressions Team, and an associate lecturer of St. Augustine’s College, formerly South East Institute for Theological Education, a trustee of the St. Anselm Community in Lambeth Palace, a national selector for pioneer ministry, and a Mission Advisor to a number of dioceses in the Anglican Communion, including the Diocese of Toronto.

Ian brings with him extensive missional and pioneer ministry experience, in both lay and ordained roles, through his work with the Church of England. No stranger to Niagara, Ian presently serves our diocese as the canon theologian for mission and teaches with the Niagara School for Missional Leadership.

“I am delighted to welcome him and look forward to being changed by his insights,” said Bishop Susan Bell. “He joins our fine diocesan parish development missioner, Dr. Emily Hill, in the ongoing shaping of our diocese for mission.”