The historic Anglican mission agency CMS (the Church Mission Society) has appealed to its community to pray for the recruitment process for a new Executive Director for its work in Great Britain.
The move comes following the appointment of the organisation’s Community Leader Revd Canon Tim Dakin to the bishopric of Winchester.
Writing to CMS members, Martyn Snow, Vice-chair Trustees and Chair of Appointment Panel said, “We have done our best as trustees to listen to all the feedback we have been given (and there has been lots of it – thank you!) and have now agreed a job description and person specification for someone who will be both Community Leader and Executive Director of CMS as an organisation.
“I am therefore writing to ask for your continued prayers for the process. The closing date for applications is the end of December and the various stages of shortlisting and interviewing will take place in January and early February.
“In my previous email I invited you to pray each Friday at 12 noon – can I encourage you to continue to do this as the appointment panel begin to talk with potential candidates.”Mr Snow sent supporters the following prayer:
“God of grace, we thank you for CMS and for all your faithful servants whom you have called as leaders of this community. Send your Holy Spirit to guide and direct all who have responsibility for the choice of a new leader. Grant them discernment, vision and unity and keep us all faithful in prayer; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”
The agency, founded in 1799, is looking for “an extraordinary individual” who is “a spiritually mature, committed Christian, passionate about mission and prayer, who can be a compelling role model for the evangelical ideals, ethos and values of CMS.” They must also be an “exceptional communicator of vision, inspiring faith and hope in others” with a strong track record of leading change in an influential, complex organisation.
Other required qualities include being a team player “with proven leadership skills, able to lead, motivate and manage staff, partners and members, confident in relating to people at all levels”; having extensive experience of cross-cultural working; and having “a highly developed understanding of missiology”.