“Standing for Christ at the heart of the community”, the parish churches of Coleshill and Maxstoke seek to appoint a new vicar with a passion to continue to ensure our wonderful churches remain relevant within our community; embracing the future and mindful of our past.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a new season of growth, with the ongoing reordering of Coleshill Church, which to date has given us greater opportunity to reach out to the town in general. Coleshill – in North Warwickshire - serves a semi-rural market town with a current population of approximately 7,000; Maxstoke is a small adjoining rural hamlet. The combination of the two parishes, one large and one small, brings varied and contrasting challenges.

We are looking for someone to lead and build on these strong links and connections with our community and our long-established pattern of service and outreach.

We are looking for a vibrant, collaborative and pastoral vicar who will:

• Bring energy, enthusiasm and an evident strong faith in the word of God
• Inspire others, offer vision, and focus on the growth of the congregation
• Have a strong emphasis on outreach to all areas of the community - town, rural and industrial
• Respond to the needs of all ages, engaging with families and younger people, and draw them into the life of the church
• Be proactive in the areas of diversity and inclusion
• Plan and lead services in a variety of styles that are holy and inspiring
• Recognise the importance of both teaching and listening, encouraging and nurturing others to develop their understanding, faith, and discipleship
• Exhibit leadership skills in communication, management, finance and administration, working collaboratively with the members of our Leadership and Pastoral teams

In return, our new vicar will get strong support from both PCC’s and congregations. They will find a welcoming church family who are dedicated to ensuring the growth and relevance of Coleshill and Maxstoke Churches within the community. Together we will continue to celebrate and honour our past and look forward to an exciting future.

A Diocesan Profile for this post should be read prior to submitting an application, this is available from the HR Support Officer, Chris Booth who can be emailed on ChrisB@cofebirmingham.com

To view the parish profile please click here

Informal enquires are welcomed by the Archdeacon of Birmingham, the Venerable Jenny Tomlinson (jennyt@cofebirmingham.com and 07769 200507).

Closing date: Monday 17th April 2023

Interview date: Tuesday 2nd May 2023

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, particularly those
under-represented including persons of Global Majority Heritage.

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment. All appointments to roles undertaking regulated activity are subject to pre-appointment checks, including a references and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.

The Bishop of Birmingham, looks for priests to serve as incumbents who have the capacity to grow local church in spiritual depth, in numbers, in confident witness, and in serious engagement with their community. Central to this is the task of identifying, encouraging and endorsing the ministry of others and entrusting them with real responsibility in the work of mission and outreach.

The priest appointed to this role must have been ordained in the Church of England or a church in communion with it and must have exercised at least three years ordained ministry. Those applying to be considered must have the right to work in the UK as this vacancy has does not yet qualify to sponsor a visa. The priest appointed will be an office holder under Common Tenure, and the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations will apply.

It is important that the priest appointed plays a full part in the life of the deanery, particularly Chapter and Synod, and in the wider programmes of the Diocese. Opportunities for ecumenical collaboration should also be pursued, and good relationships sought with other faith communities.