2026 Summer

An essential part of the ministry of all Readers and LLMs is to respond with loving service to the needs of the communities where they live and work. Pastoral ministry – the theme of this edition – is a vital part of missional life and a role that embodies our vocation. However, it is seldom easy and, within the complexity of modern society, it needs to be pursued with prayer, wisdom and often caution. Our authors have risen to many of the challenges posed by pastoral ministry in this turbulent decade, and I believe that collectively their work makes a useful contribution to sound, safe, Christian practice, while still encouraging our gifts and passions in demonstrating love for our neighbour.

For example, the bubbling enthusiasm for pastoral love shines through the articles, especially those by Bishop Chris Edmondson, Ann Bowes (who uses Julian of Norwich as her muse) and Amy Shepherd. The articles by Neville Emslie and Catherine Butcher demonstrate wisdom and practical experience, while modern research into moral injury by Rhona Knight demonstrates that pastoral ministry needs to adapt to our changing times. The article by Christopher Cook and Anne Richards on deliverance ministry is especially important in pointing to the need for caution and consultation with experts at a time when sensationalist and often ill-informed press reporting in this area seems more and more frequent. Several of the articles on pastoral ministry may serve as significant reference material for years to come.  

Elsewhere in this edition, we have marked the momentous new ministry of the Most Reverend Sarah Mullally with accounts of her career and her recent installation in Canterbury Cathedral. We wholeheartedly welcome the first woman to become Archbishop of Canterbury, and pray that God will bless her with courage and wisdom. There is great variety in our remaining features, including Old Testament theology, an article on Reader badges, an account of the faith that lies behind he sound of Big Ben, while Richard Appleton considers ‘Universal Salvation’. The Spiritual Director by Julia Mourant is the book feature and links to our pastoral theme.

Valedictory

I end by saying ‘thank you and farewell’ to my many colleagues and readers who have encouraged and helped me over the past decade, firstly in my role as Reviews Editor, but especially since July 2025 when I unexpectedly became Acting Editor. It has been a joy and a privilege to assist in the production of Transforming Ministry, but I now leave editorial duties with a sense of thankfulness and optimism for the future of our magazine. Tom Otley has exceptional experience and talents and I have no doubt he will take Transforming Ministry from strength to strength, building on the wise legacy of Richenda Milton-Daws. My prayers are with him and with you, dear readers, as I move gratefully into retirement.

Dr Peter Clough is a Reader in the Dioceses of Canterbury and Norwich and has now retired as Acting Editor.