An announcement this weekend by The Unchurch Times confirms the appointment of a Bishop to the newly created Diocese of Boncaster. Reverend Dr Janet Lees, currently Chaplain at Silcoates School will take up her new post on 1st January 2017, when her current post with the URC Yorkshire Synod ends.
Looking forward to the future Dr Lees said today ‘I am thrilled to be appointed to this new post beyond the church as it currently defines itself’.
The aim of the post is to allow the post holder to focus all her time on people who are not presently attracted to the church and those who have already left. In spite of the large numbers of people who have left the mainstream British churches over the last century the churches themselves have only really produced half hearted attempts at walking in faith with those beyond the churches. Fewer and fewer ministries in the declining denominations are set aside for work of this kind with financial restrictions given as the main reason for such limitations and comments like ‘no one else does it like this anymore’ indicating a fundamental lack of vision.
With the decision not to renew her post in the church, Dr Lees said she welcomes the opportunity this presents to join the unchurched. She looks forward to discovering more about the spirituality of her fellow travellers and what sustains others on their journeys outside ecclesiastical structures.
The Diocese of Boncaster has no geographical boundaries which might seem daunting, but Dr Lees, already known as the Roving Rev after her recent walk along the Cleveland Way, is excited by the invitation. ‘Jesus said Come with me. He didn’t say: Stop right there, don’t go any further’.
Mindful of the vibrant early Christian missionary history in the north of England she is intending to concentrate her travels there initially and will serve as Bishop of Boncaster for the Unchurched alongside the Chaplaincy at Silcoates thanks to the generosity of the school.
‘You’d be amazed what you can see from the Chapel door’ she confirmed. Having entertained the BFG earlier this week she feels this is confirmation of God’s call to this post. ‘I am looking forward to many further similar encounters’ Dr Lees stated enthusiastically.

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