Dear Friends,
I am pleased to announce that Mike MacKenzie has accepted my offer of appointment as our Director for Parish Relations, effective November 3rd, 2025.
Mike brings a unique mix of employment, education, and ministry experience to this role. Throughout almost a decade of employment at StFX University, he has been responsible for stakeholder relations and outreach, communications planning and implementation, and initiatives such as project administration and change management. He holds a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Master of Adult Education from StFX University, and a Master of Theological Studies from Wycliffe College. Currently, he is a PhD Candidate in Theological Studies at the University of Torontos Emmanuel College, where his dissertation research focuses on how affective expressions of doubt shape lived theologies within churches and communities of faith. Im sure if you ask him, hed be happy to say more about his research!
Mike has also fulfilled a variety of ministries at parish, diocesan, national, and international levels. He has served on numerous committees and working groups within our diocese and was previously a member of the board of directors for PWRDF/Alongside Hope, as well as a facilitator for the Mapping Exercise, which prompts churches to confront the legacy of residential schools and ongoing anti-Indigenous racism across Canada. In 2023, Mike was appointed as the Canadian representative to the Anglican Alliances global board of trustees, helping to oversee the Alliances work to support sustainable development and disaster relief projects across the Anglican Communion.
Originally from Sydney, Cape Breton, Mike now lives in Kentville, Nova Scotia with his wife Kris and their two young sons.
I am excited to welcome Mike to this diocesan ministry and look forward to him joining our diocesan staff team. I am confident that the diocese will benefit from the wide range of skills, gifts, and experiences he brings from both within and beyond the Anglican Churchas well as from the personal qualities he embodies. Mike spoke about this position as the fulfilment of a vocational calling, and I know that he is approaching it with much grace and humility.
Please join me in warmly welcoming Mike as our new Director for Parish Relations.
Yours faithfully,
About the role
The Director for Parish Relations serves as a vital conduit between the Bishop, Archdeacons, Regional Deans, clergy, lay leaders, and parisheshelping to ensure that our Diocesan vision, mission, and governance are lived out faithfully across diverse communities with unique needs.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Providing pastoral care, leadership development, and conflict resolution support and training to clergy and parish lay leaders, in-person or virtually.
- Promoting clergy wellness through regular check-ins and connecting them with appropriate resources.
- Serving as spokesperson for the Diocese with news media, when requested by the Bishop.
- Advising the Bishop on operational matters, ensuring policies are applied effectively and supporting the overall wellbeing of the Diocese.
- Supporting Archdeacons and parishes during leadership transitions, visioning exercises, and other challenges.
- Fostering healthy parish dynamics and strengthening support for local ministries.
- Providing field support and guidance to parishes, as appropriate.
- In collaboration with our Regional Deans, working with, and acting as the main contact for parishes and other entities in administrative matters, providing advice and interpretation on canonical and policy issues, and making decisions within the mandate provided by the Bishop.
- Overseeing diocesan initiatives, particularly the Engage program, to ensure alignment with our vision of building Christ-centered, mission-minded, ministering communities of faith.