Page Includes Training Opportunities & Grants / Sabbaticals
Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD)
Revd Dwayne Engh, Ordained Ministries Development Officer, has responsibility for the CMD programme for clergy. A number of programmes are in development. Check back here often for more information. (And please feel free to share any ideas or requests you may have)!
Training Opportunities within the Diocese
Resilience Course: ‘Developing Resilience, Maintaining Well-Being’ - with James Lawrence
Ordained life is demanding, and the ability to ‘bounce back’ is an important part of maintaining well-being. Drawing from a framework cpas has developed working with hundreds of clergy in this area, these days provide practical tools to develop resilience that engages with the realities of ordained ministry. (Note to Curates: You will receive this training in the second year of your curacies).
It has been a huge success again this year! Because of the positive feedback over the past two years, we are running the course again for the 2025 year (together with the Diocesan Clergy Wellbeing Advisory Group). There is room for a maximum number of 24 people total for the 2025 cohort. Please make certain you are available for all three days before signing up. One learning community of clergy will attend this course, which occurs on three different days over the course of the year. Please contact marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org if you are interested.
For the 2025 year:
Wednesday 15 January 202510.00am – 4.00pmSt Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield, S456 9BU. Thursday 3 April 2025 10.00am – 4.00pmSt Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield, S456 9BU. Wednesday 3 June 202510.00am – 4.00pmSt Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield, S456 9BU.
Women in Ministry - 'How far have we come?'
For all female clergy in our diocese. A day to celebrate the ordained ministry of women and share our stories - a time to name the challenges, share the joys, and discuss how we can shape the future together. Creché provided. Lunch provided. Please contact marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org if you are interested.
Monday 24 February10.00am – 3.00pmSt Peter's in the City, Derby
Preaching Like an Artist - with Andy Kind
Led by comedian and preacher Andy Kind. He will be running a full-day version of his acclaimed course, ‘Preach Like An Artist’. Focussed on the art and method of preaching, Andy’s unique insight is not to be missed. We had rave reviews from the 2023 Clergy Conference Workshop and highly recommend joining us for this day of training! Lunch and refreshments are provided. Please book here on Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/msys34ny or contact marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org if you are interested.
Saturday 1 March9.45am - 3.00pmSt Barnabas Centre, Danesmoor
Bishop's Study Day
We are very pleased to restart Bishop's Study Days this year. We are offering two dates so that all clergy will be able to work the day into their schedules. You can register for EITHER Monday 24 March OR Saturday 29 March, whichever works best for you (It will be the same content each day).
Monday 24 March10.00am – 4.00pmLocation TBC
OR
Saturday 29 March10.00am – 3.00pmLocation TBC
Power & Conflict Transformation Session - with Sandra Cobbin
As the Church of England evolves in the coming decades, our awareness of p will become increasingly important. What kind of church is being presented to both those inside and outside of the institutional church? In the wake of the Makin report, our power and how we use that power is paramount. Led by Sandra Cobbin from Clarity Development and Bridge Builders. Please contact marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org to register.
Wednesday 21 May 2025 7.30-9.00pmZoom
Oversight Ministry Training - with cpas
As the Church of England moves from a 'one priest, one parish' model to overseeing multiple parishes, several clergy have requested explicit training in the area. We have therefore arranged a pilot course, led by cpas, to assist those leading a church in moving from pastoral, sacramental, and ministry tasks for the benefit of others towards equipping all God's people for mission and ministry. Recognising that all God's people have gifts and have a share in God's mission, the Oversight Minister works to empower and journey with them as they take on more responsibility.
There is room for a maximum number of 24 people total for the 2025 cohort. Please make certain you are available for all three days before signing up. One learning community of clergy will attend this course, which occurs on three different days over the course of the year. Please contact marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org if you are interested.
Thursday 29 May 202510.00am – 4.00pmSt Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield, S456 9BU. Thursday 19 June 202510.00am – 4.00pmSt Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield, S456 9BU. Thursday 25 September 202510.00am – 4.00pmSt Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, Chesterfield, S456 9BU.
For 2026: Diocesan Leadership Course - with James Lawrence
We are pleased once again run the Diocesan Leadership Course led by cpas starting in January 2026 and running for the entire calendar year. The cohort of 19 people met once a month for content and once a month with a mentor throughout 2024. The feedback was overwhelminghly positive.
Leadership of churches is an exciting and complex role. Changes have occurred in our missional landscape and in the ordained role over the past 30 years. These have an impact on the leadership aspect of our priestly clergy roles. The course focusses on (a) the inner life of the leader as one who follows Christ and (b) the outer life of the leader as one who, with others, leads missional churches. We will also explore the practical aspects of our journey together, including mentors, leadership groups and developmental goals.
Desired Outcomes of the Course - Participants will have:
- Identified a helpful pattern of working with a core group to lead well with others.
- Embedded two evangelism practices in their church(es) life to make a shift towards a faith-sharing culture.
- Led through an adaptive challenge and reflected on lessons learned.
- Experienced ministry enhancing collegiality amongst other clergy.
There is room for a maximum number of 24 people in total. Please make certain you are available for all days before signing up. One learning community of clergy will attend this course over the course of the year. Attendance is at invitation of the Bishop and/or Archdeacons. Bishop Libby will invite a number of participants individually but, if you would like to register interest for the anticipated 2026-2027 year, please do get in touch with your Archdeacon or with dwayne.engh@derby.anglican.org.
Training Opportunities with West Midlands Continuing Ministerial Development Partners
We are excited to join in partnership with West Midlands CMD to provide excellent training opportunities for you. A variety of courses also now run in collaboration with our regional partner dioceses across the West Midlands. This enables us to offer quality training opportunities around identified development objectives. We usually invite participants individually but, if you would like to register interest in one of the courses below, please do get in touch with your Archdeacon or with dwayne.engh@derby.anglican.org.
There is no cost to you or your PCC besides travel expenses. However, because each course costs the diocese in excess of £500 per person, in order to make it financially viable for the diocese while still offering you this opportunity, the decision has been made to apply your annual CMD Grant towards the cost of the training. (Or to state it differently, if you attend one of the West Midland Courses this year, you will not be able to receive a separate CMD Grant as well).
You can find out more about the courses on offer below or visit the West Midlands CMD website, where there is more information including dates and venues of the upcoming events.
First Incumbents
This year long course is for clergy who have taken on a post of primary responsibility for the first time during the preceding year. As well as some of the practicalities of legal responsibilities, there is the opportunity to explore managing the processes of change that a new vicar is expected to undertake.
Developing Ministry - Leading in a Changing Church
This year long course is especially suitable for those who are incumbents for the first time and have been in post for about eighteen months, or those who have become team rectors, or those who have recently been given responsibility for a multi-parish benefice. Sector ministers have also participated in the course and found it very helpful.
Celebrating Ministry
A residential course for clergy and ministers of the West Midlands who want to renew their vision for their ministry.
Transforming Conflict
This course offers an opportunity to look at conflict in the church differently. Participants will develop skills that enable them to engage with difficult behaviours, heightened emotions and conflict.
Celebrating Wisdom
A residential course for clergy of the West Midlands who want to renew their vision for their ministry.
Pre-retirement retreat/conference
For clergy and spouses as they prepare for retirement.
Grants & Sabbaticals
Applications for Clergy Retreat Grant
The Ordained Ministries Development Officer, the Rev'd Dwayne Engh, has responsibility for authorising applications for Clergy Retreat grants.
Download Clergy Retreat Grant Information form here.
Download the Clergy Retreat Grant application form here (Word doc).
Application forms should be sent directly to Marietta Forman at Derby Church House or by email to marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org.
If you have any queries, do please get in touch with Marietta on 01332 388673.
Applications for CMD Grants
The Ordained Ministries Development Officer, the Rev'd Dwayne Engh, has responsibility for authorising applications for CMD grants.
Download the CMD Discretionary Grant Application Information form here.
Download the CMD grant application form here.
Download the Additional Discretionary Academic Grant Application form here.
Application forms should be sent directly to Marietta Forman at Derby Church House or by email to marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org.
If you have any queries, do please get in touch with Marietta on 01332 388673.
Applications for Sabbaticals
The Guidelines and applications form have recently been revised.
Sabbatical and Study Leave applications for 2025 and 2026 have closed. Do get in touch with the Rev'd Dwayne Engh by the end of February 2025 if you wish to pursue the possibility of an application for submission for a Sabbatical or Study Leave in 2026 - there is the potential that the bishop may be willing to approve more than the usual number if there is demand. Appointments can be arranged through Marietta Forman at marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org or 01332 388673.
Download the process as set out in Guidelines for Clergy Sabbatical
Download Application for a Sabbatical - Form A
Download Grant Application for a Sabbatical - Form A1
Applications for Study Leave
The Guidelines and applications form have recently been revised.
Sabbatical and Study Leave applications for 2025 and 2026 have closed. Do get in touch with the Rev'd Dwayne Engh by the end of February 2025 if you wish to pursue the possibility of an application for submission for a Sabbatical or Study Leave in 2026 - there is the potential that the bishop may be willing to approve more than the usual number if there is demand. Appointments can be arranged through Marietta Forman at marietta.forman@derby.anglican.org or 01332 388673.
Download the process as set out in Guidelines for Study Leave
Download Application for a Study Leave - Form B
Download Grant Application for a Study Leave - Form B1
Other sources of funding
It is also worth looking at the following document which lists possible external sources of funding as well:
Download the Derby External Grants for Clergy & Their Families handbook
Lichfield Funding
Clergy seeking funding for personal development or for academic courses might also consider applying to Lichfield Theological College Trust: Please note that Application Forms for grants from the Lichfield Theological College Trust must be submitted to The Revd Dwayne Engh to be counter-signed before they are sent to the Trust.
Download the Lichfield funding form for personal development (Word doc)
Download the Lichfield funding form for academic courses (Word doc)
