|TOP|One of the pioneers of the much acclaimed Alpha initiative has been commissioned as Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of London. The celebratory service was held 9th February at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Dr Richard Chatres, the Bishop of London, led the commissioning with the London Area Bishops and in appointing Bishop Sandy Millar, who was elected by the Church of Uganda to be an Assistant Bishop in the Church of the Province of Uganda.

Permission has been given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honorable Dr Rowan Williams, for Bishop Millar to operate in the province.

At the service the bishop was licensed to act as an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of London, with Millar’s experience as a church planter and growth practitioner in high demand in London.

|AD|Dr Chatres spoke in his welcoming sermon that: "Sandy has unique experience as a church planter and growth practitioner. This new appointment makes it possible for his gifts to be deployed on a wider canvas. Sandy has wisdom and experience about how a community flourishes; what the right balance between order and freedom really is.

"In addition to his Ugandan links, Sandy is Priest-in-charge of the community at St Mark’s Tollington Park. His time will be limited, but as a professor of church planting, he will be able to act as a mentor to some of the pioneers involved in missionary work in London. Sandy will provide them with the fruits of his own ministry and his remarkable powers of leadership."

He continued speaking of the appointment process: “Sandy’s commissioning in London is a vivid demonstration of our commitment to the themes explored in the report, “A Mission Shaped Church”. It is an example of collaboration between provinces to the benefit of the worldwide communion.

"We are enormously grateful to Archbishop Orombi and the Ugandan Church for their partnership in this important appointment. Sandy’s links with Uganda go back thirty years and his ministry has and will continue to be truly international."

Dr Rowan Williams welcomed the appointment saying: “Sandy Millar is very much the servant of a Christian family – but one that is spread throughout the world. The Church of Uganda has recognised and commissioned his service to them by ordaining him a bishop; tonight’s celebration sees that commissioning received and affirmed here in London.”