Ministry and Discipleship

Interim Director of Ministry and Discipleship

Rev Andrew Hargreaves

Rev Andrew Hargreaves
Leads the work of the Ministry and Discipleship team, implementing the diocesan vision to be a ‘rejuvenating community of Jesus-centred, Kingdom-seeking disciples’ through our ‘Rejuvenate Strategy’ incorporating the areas of Revive, Revitalise and Renew.

P: First Floor, Peninsular House, Wharf Road, Portsmouth PO2 8HB.
T: 07818 574699
E: email

Executive Assistant to the Director of Ministry and Discipleship

Claire Shaw

Claire Shaw
Provides administrative and creative support to the Director of Ministry and Discipleship and his team.

T: 023 9289 9621
E: email

Lead for Revive

Rev Neil Smart

Rev Neil Smart
Leads the strategic initiative to revive clergy and lay leaders across the diocese, enabling them to develop a culture of ‘Jesus-centred, Kingdom-seeking’ ministry; specifically supports the implementation of Cairns and Pilot Cairns, all continuing ministerial development, clergy wellbeing, spiritual direction, pastoral supervision and the support of all lay ministry.

T: 023 9289 9650
E: email

Lead for Revitalise

Rev Andrew Axon

Rev Andrew Axon
Leads the strategic initiative to revitalise our parishes’ mission creating pathways to discipleship for all those in church and those yet to connect with church; specifically supports our parishes re-envisioning work, mission action planning, evangelism training, and oversees our central church funded parish projects, walking alongside parishes as they look to make and develop disciples.

T: 07353 099735
E: email

Lead for Renew

Vacant

Leads the strategic initiative to renew the diocese’s work, in areas where we have struggled to connect with communities, through church planting, pioneer ministry and the development of new worshipping communities. (Andrew Hargreaves is leading in this area presently.)

Lay Ministry Discipleship Officer

Working as part of the ‘Revive’ team, Rev Matt Groves will take up this post with the Diocese on September 1st, 2025. See Matt’s appointment story here.

Diocesan Children’s, Youth and Families Officer

Heather Powney

Heather Powney
Accompanies all those who work with children, young people and families in our diocese, providing support with vision, planning, training, best practice advice and strategy.

T: 023 9289 9612
E: email

Anna Chaplaincy Coordinator

Emma SneddonEmma Sneddon
Supports the network of Anna Chaplains across the Diocese. This includes supporting them through the application and commissioning process, arranging training and other events as well as looking to extend Anna Chaplaincy across the Diocese.

E: email
T: 023 9289 9650
M: 07921 256721

Lead for Lay and Ordained Vocations

Canon Peter Hall

Canon Peter Hall
Responsible for the process of discerning vocations for lay and ordained ministry. Accompanies those called to authorised ministry through selection and initial training.

P: St Philip’s Vicarage, 269 Hawthorn Crescent, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 2TL
T: 023 9221 0283
E: email

Diocesan Adviser for Healing

Vacant

Chair, Diocesan Liturgy & Worship Advisory Group

Canon Jo Spreadbury

Canon Jo Spreadbury
Chairs this group which provides advice and training for parishes on developing creative and appropriate worship.

P: Cathedral House, St Thomas’s St, Portsmouth PO1 2HA
T: 023 9282 3300
E: email