Mission agency CPAS hopes its newly appointed vocations expert will help boost the number of under-30s entering into ordained ministry.

Mark Norris, 41, currently works as assistant diocesan director of ordinands for the Diocese of Liverpool and is a team vicar at Christ Church in Netherley.

He will have specific responsibility for vocations when he takes up his role as CPAS’ new leadership development adviser in early July.

His appointment is part of CPAS’ long-term aim to inspire 150 leaders under the age of 30 to offer themselves for ordination.

The Rev Andrew Cowley, senior leadership development adviser at CPAS, said Mr Norris’ appointment was vital to achieving that vision.

“This issue is a huge challenge for the church, with the average age of those ordained rising to nearly 50 in recent years, and significant numbers of clergy due to retire in the next 10 years,” he said.

“However, there is a generation of young leaders who are equipped and able to rise to the challenge. There is a growing number of people involved in youth ministry, but very few are taking the step into ordained work. We want to help them see this as a positive and engaging opportunity.

“It is also an important step towards helping younger people into key positions in larger churches or at diocesan level. It is far from ideal that we currently have few people under 45 in these positions.”