• Three small village churches that want to grow and reach young families
• An exciting diocese, with a clear strategy to encourage growth rather than manage decline
• Accessible location on the edge of Colne in the heart of Bronte country
• Two strong voluntary aided church primary schools that want closer links with their parish churches
• Monthly all-age lay-led services in each church
• Active non-stipendiary priest resident in the benefice

Our vision is based on the Diocesan Vision 2026, which we are seeking to achieve:

• Making disciples for Jesus Christ
• Being witnesses to Jesus Christ
• Growing leaders for Jesus Christ
• Inspiring children and young people

In five years’ time we envisage a healthier church that is transforming our village communities.

We have three key priorities:

• We want to develop a deeper fellowship and discipleship within our churches
• We want to engage people in Trawden, Laneshawbridge and Foulridge who are not part of a church community today
• We want to strengthen our offer to young people.

We look forward to working with our new vicar to develop a mission action plan based around this vision and these priorities.

We are willing to explore forming a joint council to replace three separate PCCs, which would free up quite a bit of time, both for the vicar and church members

What we are looking for:

• An inspirational leader and teacher
• Someone able to work with all ages but especially children and young people and our church schools
• A person with a modern approach to styles of worship for those who haven’t grown up in church, but also able to lead more traditional styles of worship
• A priest who will build links with people from all walks of life in the community
• Someone who can build on our special services which attract large numbers of occasional worshippers
• Someone who will help us develop our mission and outreach, reinvigorating us
• A leader who develops the roles of lay people in leadership
• A priest able to balance the demands of three parishes, and help them work more closely together.

For information about Blackburn diocese please follow this link

https://jobs.churchofengland.org/blackburn/vision-2026/

For information on making an application through Pathways please follow this link

https://jobs.churchofengland.org/HELP/candidate-faq/

For an informal conversation about the role please contact The Revd Lesley Hinchcliffe, Area Dean of Pendle lesleyhinchcliffe@hotmail.com / 01254 396485

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 10th August 12noon

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 30th August

The parish profile is split into 3 sections due to the large size of the overall file