Minister & Leadership

The Minister - Rev. Rhiannon Francis

‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’.

Jeremiah 29:11

When Rhiannon became a Christian on October 5^th 1997, she knew that the Lord had a plan, but at that time, she had no idea what that plan would mean, and she never dreamt that the Lord’s plan would lead her here to Christchurch!

Rhiannon was called to Christchurch in April 2009, and began her ministry here in September 2009 following her Ordination at Pantygwydr Baptist Church, Swansea, where she was once the Youth and Children’s Worker. Following 3 years in Pantygwydr, Rhiannon attended South Wales Baptist College from 2006-2009 and gained a Bachelor of Theology Degree.

Before Rhiannon was called into Youth and Children’s work, she qualified in Business and Marketing, and worked initially in a Sales firm as a Telesales Manager, then in a Book Distribution Company, working in the International Department and then in the Marketing Department.

Rhiannon’s vision is to reach out to the community; to those who are lost; to those who feel unloved; to those who are lonely; to those who don’t feel like they fit in; to the young people and to present the Gospel in a relevant and sensitive way. She enjoys walking alongside people as they journey further with Jesus. Rhiannon has a passion for watching people, trying to discern where people’s gifts and talents lie, and then encouraging them to use those gifts by getting involved in the life of the church.

When Rhiannon isn’t doing all this, she enjoys watching rugby, now that her playing days are over, and can often be found on International day at the Wales Millennium Stadium, cheering on the lads, but she says it’s not the same since Ieuan Evans hung up his boots!! She also enjoys skiing and diving in various places around the world as often as she can. Rhiannon also enjoys reading, with particular emphasis on Spirituality, Pastoral Care and Christian Living.

Rhiannon is married to Owen, a Civil Engineer, and they have a chocolate Labrador called Deefor – yes, that’s right, ‘D’ for ‘Dog’.

Leadership

Christchurch has a Leadership Team made up of the Minister, up to two Elders, the Officers (Secretary and Treasurer), and up to ten Deacons. Overall, this team is responsible for:

• maintaining the life of the church
• overseeing the spiritual health of its membership
• developing a vision for the future
• taking decisions on day-to-day church matters
• making recommendations to the Church Meeting on more significant issues

The Minister and Officers each have specific responsibilities; the Elders and Deacons have more general roles that are shared between them, some of which also apply to the Officers. These include:

• providing and demonstrating assistance and support to the Minister
• providing leadership to the church in support of its current activity and progress towards its vision;
• playing an active part in the life of the church, especially its worship, prayer and study, and (in particular the Elders) from time to time leading these;
• providing points of contact for church members, regular attenders, and visitors, and supporting communication to and from them.

In support of some of these roles, Deacons participate in rotas for stewarding, preparing and serving Communion, etc. However, much of the activity involves leading by example, taking collective responsibility in supporting decisions, and being available to the church as a whole.

In addition, some Deacons may take on other specific positions within the church (for example as youth work, fundraising, buildings maintenance), as co-ordinators and/or active participants, as an expression of their general leadership role.

Currently the Deacons are:

• Miss. Liz Dickinson
• Mrs. Ruth Dickinson
• Mrs. Carol Hodge
• Mrs. Lian Hoogstadt
• Mr. Wynford James
• Mr. Gareth Joshua
• Mr. Donald MacGregor
• Mr. John Thorne
• Mr. Ian Travis
• Mr. Hywel Williams