All Saints Parish Church, Ilkley

Lee Townend

Rev Lee Townend was licensed as Priest in Charge at All Saints on Tuesday 11th November, 2008.

Lee trained at Cranmer Hall,Durham, and having gained a Diploma in Theology and Ministry, was ordained Deacon in 1998. He served his Curacy at Buxton, Derbyshire, and was ordained Priest in 1999. Following further studies 2003-2007, Lee gained his MA in Theology and Ministry.

Lee became a Christian in his 20's and was part of the homeless outreach team at Sheffield Cathedral from 1993-1996 where he served as a lay leader on the management committee of the Archer Project. On moving to Durham, he served a long placement as a Lay Leader at St Wilfred's, Sunderland from 1996 to 1998. After moving to Loose in the Maidstone diocese in 2001, Lee held a portfolio of diocesan roles, working on the pastoral and mission group of the Archbishop's Council, also as a clergy mentor, and as an elected member of the diocesan synod. Additionally, Lee has also taught on the Authorised Lay Ministry course, and both he and Liz offer marriage counselling.

After taking on the leadership of All Saints, Loose, the 12th century church building was completely reordered as the foundation stage of the vision for renewal and mission.  The spiritual renewal of the people of God began using some of the principles of Nehemiah chapters 1 - 7. During the last six years the church has received significant growth both numerically and spiritually - growing from a fellowship of 50 to around 150.

Lee's heart desire and passion is for people to come to a full, joyful and radical discipleship under Christ, and he is aware of the importance of good communication skills within a flourishing church, recognising that people learn through a variety of means. Pastoral work is of high importance in his ministry and he has seen home groups, prayer groups and healing ministries grow out of this.

He has enjoyed working as an Assistant Area Dean and has had experience of working with Churches Together in ecumenical partnership and mission.  He has developed a marriage preparation course and has been part of the working party for ‘The Wedding Project' looking into how this occasional office for mission can best be developed.

Lee has been involved with local non-church schools, finding ways for the church to come alongside the staff and governing bodies to support their work, including delivering some of the R.E. curriculum, offering further support on a variety of practical and spiritual levels as well as taking assemblies.

We are all aware of the many challenges and opportunities that face us here at All Saints, Ilkley, and we look forward to working together with him in our ministry to Church and Community. Lee comes with special gifts of biblical teaching, preaching, mission and pastoral work, and with a breadth of experience in reaching out into the community. We pray that his ministry among us will be richly blessed.

Margaret Watson