This is a text-only version of an article first published on Wednesday, 5 February 2020. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
The Revd Dr Quentin Chandler has been appointed as our new lead Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO).
As lead DDO here, Quentin will lead a seven-strong team of colleagues who work to help Christians explore lay and ordained vocations, and oversee them through the process of selection for ordination.
He will have specific responsibility as the Area DDO for the Buckingham Archdeaconry.
The Revd Dr Quentin Chandler.
St Alban's Diocese Quentin's first sense of call came when he was aged just nine, during a school assembly.
"Listening to the story of the boy Samuel being called at Shiloh, I had a sudden and very clear thought.
What if God is calling me?" It was disconcerting, to say the least, and never quite left my mind.
It had resurfaced particularly as we sang hymns at boarding school. "These reminded me of singing in the church choir a couple of years earlier, and so my sense of call became mingled with a longing for home. "As a teenager, Quentin says he didn't want to know about God; however, his sister's continued prayers and persistence saw him start reluctantly attending the church youth group. "Time passed.
I met and married my wife.
Soon we were leading the youth group.
The notion that God might be calling me - perhaps to ordination - resurfaced.
I dismissed it.
Why? Was I too thick? I had been a failure at school and wouldn't be able to cope with the academic side of training. "An enthusiastic parish priest kept hounding him until eventually, he went forward for ordination.
"While in parish ministry, I studied for an MA.
I got a distinction and into theological education.
I did a doctorate, ironically looking at why people find learning about theology difficult. "Ordained in 1992, Quentin served his curacy in Goldington in the St Alban's Diocese.
So what has attracted Quentin to the Diocese of Oxford? "I'm inspired by the diocesan vision to become a more Christ-like Church.
That includes exciting plans to grow new congregations across the three archdeaconries.
It's a big diocese with lots to be done, and I'm excited by the full-time DDO role.
I'm excited about continuing to travel alongside others as they explore their call to ordination. "Andrew Anderson-Gear, the Diocese of Oxford's Director of Mission, said: "I am looking forward to welcoming Quentin to the Mission department.
His passion for nurturing the vocation of all the people of God, alongside his keen strategic mind were what impressed us when we met Quentin.
The lead DDO is a key strategic role and he brings a rich experience of parish ministry, nurturing and developing lay ministry along with his current lay and vocations work.
He will be a great asset to all we do and particularly as he leads our DDO team. "Click here for more on vocations in the Oxford Diocese.