Children and Families Community Missioner (4 year Fixed Term Contract)

3 days a week

Salary £17,810 (FTE £29,684)

Saint Augustine’s is a growing and inclusive church where all are welcomed and encouraged to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Children and families are important to us. This is a new and exciting opportunity for a Children and Families Community Missioner to join our team and support our vision in offering those who worship with us, and all the children and families in the parish, opportunities to discover the love of God and that of his Son Jesus Christ.

The Diocese of Rochester in partnership with Saint Augustine’s Slade Green have been awarded funding from the National Church to enable growth in ‘Priority Parishes’. Saint Augustine’s is aiming to establish a Toddler Church, Summer Holiday Club and Messy Church. They are seeking a Children and Families Community Missioner to develop and lead on mission and ministry initiatives that engage with children and families both within the parish and the community of faith at Saint Augustine’s.

The parish is amongst the most deprived in the diocese. It is also growing with new housing developments. There are three primary schools within the parish, one of which is a Church of England school. We have excellent links with all three.

With the appointment of a new Vicar and Licensed Lay Minister you will be part of a developing ministry team who are supported by the PCC and congregation. We believe many exciting opportunities will be offered to us in the coming years and we want to be in a position to meet those with confidence. We are therefore seeking a Children and Families Community Missioner to help us in this important aspect of our mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Extend and consolidate the present children and families work and be responsible for developing new pioneering projects
• Support the work that is happening at St Paul's Church of England School
• Further the links with two primary schools
• Have a presence out and about in the parish, especially through school’s work, being known and trusted by families in the area, providing a bridge between them and St. Augustine’s church
• Support & work with the Vicar on matters relating to children and families, especially their mission and ministry within the parish and community
• Nurture and develop a team of volunteer leaders and helpers

Candidates will have a passion for outreach to families and children helping them to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Successful candidates should:

• Be able to communicate the message of the Gospel in an inspiring and accessible way
• Understand the importance of safeguarding and safe practice principles in children’s work
• Have relevant knowledge and experience (paid or unpaid) of children’s ministry and outreach work with families
• Be able to engage with and relate to a wide range of families and individuals, and to work collaboratively with both lay and ordained people
• Be willing to become a worshipping member of St Augustine's.
• Be computer literate and have experience of online communications.

The post holder will, at times, be the public face of the church in Slade Green. It is considered that there is an Occupational Requirement (OR) for the postholder to be a communicant member of the Church of England, or of a Church in communion therewith or of a member Church of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland or of Churches Together in England, or of a member Church of the Evangelical Alliance.

Ordained and Lay applicants are welcome. We would encourage ordained candidates to contact HR to discuss the terms of the contract before applying. For an informal conversation about the parish and the responsibilities contact Rev Jim Bennett on 01322 553 421 / 07787 292 094.

The appointment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure.

If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact the HR department at recruitment@rochester.anglican.org

Closing date for applications: Monday 1 March 2021

Interviews to be held: week commencing 22 March 2021