This is a fixed five-year Associate Priest role focused on the transformation of the shape of
ministry across a large Presence and Engagement parish in the Catholic tradition. The role is
supported by a grant from the nation Strategic Ministry Fund and is focused on enabling
110 young people and 55 adults to find faith in Jesus Christ across the Accrington deanery
over 5 years.

The new Associate Priest will be based in the united benefice of Accrington St Andrew, St
Mary Magdalen and St Peter, and Church Kirk with a focus on young people but will also
have a wider focus to grow and support youth work across the deanery. In particular, the
new priest will have a key role in local Church of England High School and three Church of
England primary schools.

Candidates for the role will need gifts and experience in working
with young people to inspire and energise work across the deanery, building capacity and
supporting what is beginning to grow, founded on many years of faithful prayer.

As a priest in our United Benefice team, you will play a full part in all areas of ministry and
mission, serving the wider town and Deanery and contributing to our vision for the future
but with a focus on enabling 110 young people and 55 adults to find faith in Jesus Christ.
This will be rooted in prayer and through the development of good relationships and
communication with the Vicar, the Curate, the Vicar’s PA, and volunteers across the three
parishes, including the following responsibilities:

• To participate fully as a member of the ministry team, deanery and diocese
• In consultation with the Vicar, to lead on some of the following:
• The development of youth ministry across the Benefice and support the development of youth ministry across the deanery
• The Friday Praise congregation at St Nicholas’ School
• The establishment of Choir Church at St Mary Magdalen’s, alongside the Curate but taking the lead pastoral responsibility for this congregation
• The Youth Church established at St Christopher’s School, liaising with the Head of Spirituality at the school and the young people in planning of services and in the celebration of the monthly Eucharist To work alongside the Vicar in developing ministry to schools
• The development of a youth-focused sustainable eucharistic community in the former Church Kirk Parish and/or on the Fern Gore estate; both of which have been identified as areas where there is little church engagement.
• The fostering of strong relationships with the minority ethnic communities in the parishes, in particular in St Peter’s parish and school.
• To identify and nurture the leadership gifts of volunteers to provide sustainable leadership beyond the life of this fixed-term post

As a Benefice which has passed a Resolution under the House of Bishops’ Declaration on the
Ministry of Bishops and priests, we are seeking a male priest who:

Essential

• Is committed to prayer, and who is enthusiastic about engaging with the Offices
• Has previous experience of and proven gifts in ministry to children and young people
• Has an infectious excitement about their faith, making time for their own spiritual health and development through, for example, retreats, wider interests and spiritual direction
• •Is committed to mission and evangelism in the catholic tradition, focussing on the celebration of the sacraments as a means of mission
• Will be committed to the development of ministry within the United Benefice of Accrington, and able to play a key role in achieving our vision
• Is someone who values both Word and Sacrament, and who is able confidently to lead worship which is prayerful and inspiring to all ages
• Has a pioneering spirit to proclaim the Gospel in settings which can be challenging but rewarding
• Is a team player and team leader, able to encourage collaboration
• Is someone who can build and lead effective teams, particularly in the context of areas of financial deprivation
• Is resilient, mature and has a good sense of humour
• Is well organised and confident in using IT
• Is committed to maintaining a good work/life balance, and can prioritise tasks effectively
• Is committed to current Safeguarding culture and procedures

Desirable

• Has a degree in theology
• Has experience of church planting
• Has experience of ministry amongst deprived communities
• Has experience of ministry in Presence and Engagement communities

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 Fr David Arnold, Vicar of the United Benefice and Area Dean of Accrington - david.arnold@blackburn.anglican.org

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 31st January 2023

Interview date: Monday 13th February 2023 in Accrington