Generous Giving Advisor
The Diocese of Southwark is at an exciting point in its journey as it implements its Vision for Growth 2017-2025. We seek to be a Diocese that is Christ-centred and outward focused:
- Walking with Jesus and getting to know Jesus better as we journey on
- Welcoming all, embracing our diversity and seeking new ways of being church
- Growing in numbers, generosity, faith and discipleship as we grow God's Kingdom
As a Diocese, we encourage a culture of generosity as we celebrate churches, worshipping communities and fresh expressions of Church (across the full spectrum of traditions) that speak well of each other, support each other as together we seek to resource and deliver a programme of missional growth.
One of the principles at the heart of the Bishop of Southwark’s Vision for Growth is that of “generous giving and prayer supporting all we do”. Since 2015 the Diocese has successfully changed its parish share system to a generosity-based offerings system, the Parish Support Fund; in 2020 we have launched a new giving strategy to encourage and enable generosity and giving across the Diocese for the next triennium and there are specific annual objectives for 2020. This is an exciting new opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to work as part of the giving team to encourage individuals and parishes to respond generously to all that God has given us in order to resource the mission and ministry of our parishes and Diocese. The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the importance of this area of our discipleship and work.
This post is partly funded by the Church of England Giving Advisor Fund for a period of five years.
To work with the Head of Giving to continue to promote and develop a culture of generosity, encourage increased personal and congregational giving and offer resources and support to congregations to help grow the Kingdom of God through the Southwark Vision.
Encouraging Generous Giving
As part of the Giving Team, to continue to build a culture of generous giving on a personal and congregational level so that generosity becomes an integrated and key outworking the Southwark Vision for Growth.
To work intentionally with deaneries and their new leadership teams across a diversity of rural, suburban and urban contexts to:
- explore local challenges and opportunities and affirm and share good and innovative practice
- offer training for new methods of giving eg Parish Giving Scheme, contactless giving as well as encouraging good practice in key areas such as legacies
To work proactively with a breadth of parishes, (reflecting our demographic, economic and ethnic diversity), to help them develop effective and creative giving practice to resource their mission and ministry. This will include
- developing our data analysis to enable a more strategic focus
- consulting with Archdeacons to plan and prioritise support for parishes to help develop their culture of generosity, improve their giving levels and financial sustainability
- developing for each of our Strategic Development Funding Phase 2 projects a giving strategy with the Project Team
- responding to invitations from parishes and helping in the planning of, advising upon and direction of giving programmes. Liaising with the Archdeacons and Financial Services team concerning parishes as necessary
- producing an annual report which evaluates and monitors the effectiveness of encouraging giving campaigns, make recommendations on how future campaigns can improve
To inspire giving and strengthen discipleship by encouraging the recognition of the principles underpinning Christian giving and the Parish Support Fund which include generosity and proportionality. Speak on Christian giving and generosity in parishes and deaneries, both in worship and other gatherings.
Promoting new methods of giving
Working with the Head of Giving to launch the Church of England’s Parish Giving Scheme in 2020
- Maximise the promotion and adoption of the PGS with a with a view to at least 30% of parishes participating by the end of the third year
To maximise the promotion of digital giving by
- providing local training for parishes through deaneries
- being responsible for managing and promoting the use of the Diocesan machines through the “Try before you buy scheme” and for following up and evaluating any national trials in which our parishes are participating
- updating the website with current information and case studies; signposting to key websites
- aiding the submission of applications for funding for Church of England funded machines for 50% of our parishes (likely to be available from summer 2020)
Communication, training and support
- To build a good working relationships with clergy and lay people throughout the differing church traditions in the Diocese.
- To promote giving through Gift Aid so that parishes can maximise their income and offer support and parish training where necessary.
- To signpost parish officers to legacy good practice and resources, accounting and budgeting support or funding sources for specific projects, including working closely with colleagues across other departments
- To maintain external links with the Regional and National Stewardship Network and other organisations.
Experience and qualifications |
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The ability to communicate in a clear and lively manner both in writing and verbally | Essential |
To be numerate, with proven experience in Excel, and the ability to use spreadsheets for data collection, preparing accurate reports using data | Essential |
Experience of successfully delivering projects | Essential |
Experience of working with volunteers | Essential |
An understanding of diversity and cross-cultural dynamics | Essential |
An understanding of the structure, breadth and dynamics of the Church of England | Highly desirable |
Have experience of co-ordinating, planning, designing and leading training sessions aimed at a variety of audiences | Highly desirable |
Experience of working with large and small groups | Desirable |
Having relevant experience in a Christian Stewardship and /or Fundraising role | Desirable |
Graduate, a degree or equivalent level of education | Desirable |
Skills/Aptitudes |
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An understanding of, and a commitment to the promotion of, the principles and practice of Christian generosity and giving and a willingness to develop further | Essential |
Understanding of, and an ability to develop, good relationships and work with representatives of the churches in the Diocese regardless of their church traditions | Essential |
The ability to plan, advise upon and lead giving programmes within the Diocesan parishes | Essential |
Good understanding of finances, budgeting and budget management | Essential |
Excellent IT competency in Word and PowerPoint | Essential |
Highly organised, able to work to tight deadlines and manage conflicting priorities | Essential |
Ability to deal sensitively and diplomatically with a range of people | Essential |
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality | Essential |
A willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as required | Essential |
A car driver, or able to travel to all parishes within the Diocese | Essential |
An understanding of the challenges facing local churches | Desirable |
An understanding of Her Majesties Revenue and Customs (HMRC) regulations regarding Gift Aid and the process of making online tax recovery claims to HMRC. | Desirable |
Character and personal qualities |
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A desire to serve churches in Southwark Diocese with a passion for resourcing mission and ministry, enabling spiritual and numerical growth. | Essential |
Being an active worshipping member of the Church of England or a church in communion with it | Essential |
Be self-motivated, with the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team | Essential |
This post is subject to an occupational requirement that the postholder be a practising Christian under Part 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act.
The Diocese of Southwark, founded in 1905, forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England and is part of the wider Church of England, in turn part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Diocese covers primarily the area of Greater London which is South of the Thames, together with the Eastern part of the county of Surrey. It is one of the largest dioceses in terms of population and parishes as well as one of the most diverse.
The Diocese of Southwark serves a growing population of 2.8 million people across south London and East Surrey, an area of rich variety and diversity, through its network of 292 parishes, 358 churches, 190 of which are listed places of worship. There are 106 church schools across the Diocese, 15 of which are secondary schools.