The new Archdeacon for Macclesfield has been announced and will begin leading the town’s churches in the new year.
The Rev Ian Bishop will be leaving his role as rector of Middlewich to head the flock in Macclesfield.
Mr Bishop, 47, takes over from the Venerable Richard Gillings and says he hopes to bring ‘missions’ and ‘evangelism’ to the job.
The father of three said: "I’m thrilled to be appointed Archdeacon of Macclesfield. Over the past nine years I’ve come to really enjoy working in the Diocese of Chester.
"This is a terrific place to minister. I’ve already made many friends in the Macclesfield archdeaconry and I look forward to making many more as my new ministry develops.
"In parish ministry, mission and evangelism have always been my priorities and I hope that will continue to be so when my new ministry as archdeacon begins."
Mr Bishop was born and brought up in Devizes and worked as a chartered surveyor before his ordination. His wife Sue, 45, is a personnel manager, and they have three sons – Joe, 19, Dan, 16, and Will, 14.
Ian was ordained as a deacon in 1991 and has been Rector of Middlewich and Byley since 2001 and Rural Dean of Middlewich since 2005. A school governor, Ian is currently co-writing a Christian discipleship course called Rooted In Jesus and includes theatre, cinema, cricket, golf and amateur dramatics among his hobbies.
He added: "I am very excited about becoming Archdeacon of Macclesfield.
"I have been learning about all the terrific work being done across the archdeaconry and I can’t wait to be part of it."
