Canon Missioner

The role of a Residentiary Canon at Durham Cathedral is multi-faceted and wonderfully varied. As well as the responsibilities of executive leadership, corporate governance and liturgical involvement (more of which see below) the post-holder will also make an important contribution to the staff team, the volunteers and the worshipping community. This will involve being seen on the cathedral floor and around the plant, present at a range of events and offering the cathedral’s hospitality and welcome to many people who come our way. Moreover, the Canon Missioner will join a team of residentiary canons who share the spiritual oversight of the Cathedral’s life with the Dean and seek to make a positive impact in all areas of the Cathedral’s life, supporting colleagues as we seek to serve the Cathedral’s mission together.

Leadership
The Canon Missioner will take responsibility for developing and delivering the activities outlined within the Proclamation strand of Vision 2033. This will require close collaboration with colleagues across the life of the Cathedral, both staff and volunteers, to ensure that the ministry is taken forward in a way that empowers others and brings people together. They will be a member of the Executive Leadership Team which meets monthly and also take part in a duty manager rota on Sundays.

Governance
They will be a full member of Chapter, the governing body of the Cathedral, which meets six times a year, and serve on a number of its sub-committees. As a member of the trustee body the Canon Missioner will work with Chapter colleagues to ensure that the Cathedral is fulfilling its mission and core purpose, complying with its statutes and relevant legislation, managing its resources responsibly, and acting with reasonable care and skill. Further details of the responsibilities of a Chapter member can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.

Safeguarding
The Canon Missioner will serve as Chapter Safeguarding Lead, which requires that they ensure that the Chapter is fully informed and briefed about governance-level safeguarding matters. While the Cathedral Safeguarding Officer (CSO) is line-managed within the COO’s
team, the Canon Missioner will need to develop a strong working relationship with the CSO. The Canon Missioner will sit on Chapter’s Strategic Safeguarding Committee, which has an independent Chair. The Cathedral recently had a positive audit from the INEQE team, and welcomes the chance for further development of its safeguarding culture and processes. The post-holder will work with the COO and CSO to ensure all the recommendations are taken forward. The INEQE report can be found here. Further information about the Cathedral’s safeguarding is found in the Candidate Information Pack.

Liturgy
The Canon Missioner will play a full role in the liturgical life of the Cathedral, attending and leading the daily offices and participating in Sunday worship both in the Cathedral and across the Diocese. They will serve as Canon-in-Residence which is arranged on a daily rota basis and also be part of the Clergy team which meets monthly. The clergy team currently includes Philip Plyming (Dean), Michael Hampel (Precentor and Vice-Dean), Simon Oliver (Canon Professor) Charlie Allen (Canon Chancellor), Daniel Parkinson (Succentor), James Shelton (Director of the Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer), Kathryn Tiernan (Cathedral Curate).

• Closing date for receipt of completed application forms is Friday 5 December 2025, 9am.
• Interview date and location: 6 and 7 January at Durham Cathedral.