Cymraeg

Chris Burr Smallest

I was born in Tredegar and have spent all of my life in and around South Wales. I wasn’t from a faith background, but became a Christian in my early teens and for as long as I can remember felt a calling to full time ministry.

Having worked in the in the civil service for nearly 10 years, primarily as a National Insurance Inspector and then as a Training and Education Manager, by my late 20s I felt God’s calling more strongly than ever and I set that career aside to begin training for the priesthood at what was then St Michael’s College, Llandaff.

I graduated with a BTh in 2001, and served as a curate in Llantrisant before becoming Priest in Charge of a parish in Pontypridd in 2004. From there I moved to become Vicar of Lisvane in the North of Cardiff in 2010, before taking up my current post at St Padarn’s at the beginning of 2019.

I have a keen interest in meteorology and an ever-increasing passion for travel. I have developed strong links with a community in Mbale, Eastern Uganda, and also organise and lead regular pilgrimages to the Holy Land. To relax, I love a good read with a particular interest in crime fiction (especially anything PD James!), or an evening at the theatre, and musical theatre especially.

I am married to Helen, and together we have four children, and a rescue dog called Honey.

My Ministerial Interests

Throughout my parochial ministry I always placed great emphasis on pastoral care, and never more so than accompanying families at times of acute distress and bereavement. I have particular interest in the ecclesiological role and engagement of the church in wider society

My duties revolve around supporting and equipping ministers, clerical and lay, as they seek to work out the Mission of God in their own particular contexts.

My Work at St Padarn's

  • Senior Leadership Team (SLT)

As a member of the SLT I work collaboratively with my colleagues to help oversee the day to day running of the Institute, as well as thinking and planning strategically for its future development.

  • Ministerial training and development for Ordained Ministers, Readers and other Licensed Lay Ministers across the Church in Wales
  • Oversight and organisation of the ‘Welcome to the Church in Wales’ induction course for ministers and other key workers new to the province.
  • Resourcing and supporting the development of Ministerial Development Review (MDR)
  • Resourcing and supporting Life Events in the Church in Wales
  • Pre Retirement Courses
  • Pilot Programmes.

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