John Coyne, who has joined mission agency CPAS from St John’s Theological College in Nottingham, is calling on 30 years’ of ordained ministry experience to help enhance the leadership and mission of local churches.

Mr Coyne, director of local and regional delivery at CPAS, heads up the team of nine regional leadership development advisers, as well as overseeing CPAS’ patronage appointment responsibilities undertaken by the Rev Canon John Alderman for more than 500 churches nationwide.

He joined CPAS last month from St John’s, where he was dean of college and director of practical theology.

"Our challenge is to deliver training, mentoring and consultancy which is appropriate and focused, enabling churches to help more people hear and discover the good news of Jesus Christ," he said.

"This role excites me because it draws on my twin passions – that the church is clearly focused on sharing in God’s mission, and the development of good leadership which enables this to happen."

Two early training initiatives which reflect the new CPAS vision are currently being piloted in churches. While Leadership Matters is a whole-church audit designed to highlight effectiveness in seven key functions of leadership, Leading Edge forums exist to help groups of eight to 10 leaders work through the implications of relevant leadership topics.

The initiatives work in tandem with the mentoring and consultancy support provided by CPAS' regional leadership advisers.

"By working with local churches or small groups of leaders to provide focused and appropriate support, these advisers can contribute something beyond that provided by books and courses alone," said Mr Coyne.

"We are not just focusing on ordained leaders. There is a need to develop leadership gifts amongst all the people of God in order for the church to embrace a positive future."

After training at Oak Hill, Mr Coyne was ordained in 1979, and developed an increasingly mission-focused ministry in two curacies and an incumbency. From 1988, he then served as an RAF Chaplain for seventeen years until 2005, when he moved to St John’s.

John Dunnett, general director of CPAS, said: "I am delighted to welcome John to the management team at CPAS. With his breadth and depth of experience comes a real heart for sharing the Gospel, which will help the church leaders we work with to understand the importance of forming a mission-shaped Church."