Affirming, celebrating and resourcing ministry in low-income communities
The Oxford Low-Income Communities (LInC) Network exists to affirm, celebrate, and resource all those serving in low-income communities across the Diocese of Oxford.
We support clergy, lay leaders, pioneers, and ministry teams whose calling is rooted in places shaped by economic hardship, social inequality, and complex community challenges. These include traditional social housing estates, areas of private rented accommodation, and neighbourhoods where low incomes, insecure work, or reliance on benefits are part of daily life. The diocese stands firmly behind those ministering in these contexts. Through the LInC Network, we work to ensure that churches serving these communities are valued, supported, and prioritised within diocesan life.
By listening carefully, sharing learning, and building strong connections, the LInC Network offers:
- Peer support and encouragement for practitioners;
- Access to practical resources, training, and funding opportunities;
- Space for theological reflection on poverty, justice, evangelism, and hope;
- A collective voice to influence diocesan strategy and resourcing.
We believe ministry in low-income communities is central to the life and mission of the Church. Together, we seek to nurture hope, dignity, and flourishing, enabling communities to thrive.
Get involved
If low-income communities are part of your ministry context, or you have a heart for this ministry, we would love you to be part of the Oxford LInC Network. Join us to connect with others, share learning, access support and resources, and help shape how the diocese listens to and invests in ministry among low-income communities.
To receive updates about LinC gatherings, training, resources, and what’s coming up, please sign up to join the Oxford LinC Network. We’ll only use your details to send LinC Network updates, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Save the date
Save the date for this year's Network Conference 22 October 2026, 9.30am – 3.30pm at Reading Gateway Church, South Reading, RG2 8DE. More information to come.
Meet the LINC Task Group
If you would like to speak to someone, please feel free to contact one of the Team.
- Revd Canon Paul Cowan - Associate Archdeacon of Berkshire: paul.cowan@oxford.anglican.org
- Revd Nick Hill - Reading Gateway Church: nickhill@readinggateway.church
- Revd Pete Wheeler - St Peter’s Church, Aylesbury: pete@stpa.life
- Revd Paul Walker - All Saints Church Dedworth: revpaulwalker@icloud.com
- Revd David Whale - Chenies Benefice: rector@cheniesbenefice.org
- Revd Ayo Audu - St Frideswide's Water Eaton: ayo@stfrideswides.org
Purpose and aims
To strengthen mission and ministry in low-income communities across the Diocese of Oxford by supporting practitioners, sharing best practice, shaping diocesan strategy, and advocating for the resources needed for the Church to flourish in the poorest areas.
1. Support, listening, learning and sharing practice
- Provide a supportive network for clergy, lay ministers, and practitioners.
- Share learning on what works, what hasn’t, and why.
- Connect with partner agencies engaged in low-income communities ministry.
2. Understanding context and identifying need
- Map areas experiencing significant deprivation across the diocese.
- Understand local challenges and opportunities, including housing patterns, income levels, and community dynamics.
- Identify structural and cultural barriers to effective local ministry.
3. Advocacy and influencing strategy
- Advocate for diocesan and national policies that prioritise ministry in low-income communities.
- Highlight areas needing change e.g. resourcing frameworks, training pathways, LICF equivalent funding, and ministry models.
- Encourage long-term diocesan commitment to these communities.
4. Resourcing and developing ministry
- Share practical resources, training pathways, and funding opportunities.
- Build a directory of supportive agencies and mission partners.
- Promote wellbeing and sustainability for ministers serving in demanding contexts.
- Encourage theological reflection on poverty, justice, evangelism, and community engagement.
5. Growing leaders contextual discipleship
- Support leadership development within low-income communities.
- Encourage vocational exploration and accessible training routes.
- Share practice in education, pioneering, detached youth work, and children & families ministry.
The Oxford LinC Network seeks to ensure that churches serving low-income and estate communities are prioritised, valued, and well-resourced, and that their practitioners are supported, equipped, encouraged, and heard.