This post offers a unique opportunity to lead an energetic new estates church and so to be at the forefront of estates pioneering. Freedom Church is a vibrant all-age church which was founded just six years ago to serve the Mereside Estate in Blackpool. With a wide range of activities for all ages and a new and engaged Sunday congregation, it has been at the forefront of estates pioneering nationally.

SDF funding has made possible an unusual degree of ambition in the church’s ministry, for example the Blackpool Ministry Experience scheme enables a small community of young adults to support the ministry of the church. A team of outstanding volunteers and a small paid staff ensure that the church offers vibrant service and joyful proclamation to the estate. The worshipping tradition is rich and varied and can be broadly described as open evangelical but firmly rooted in the Eucharist.

The church is now based in the Freedom Centre, a transformed former church hall which offers a wide range of facilities to the community, including a café, a food bank and a second hand clothes shop. Blackpool is a friendly and inviting town with much to offer all residents.

Freedom Church is a vibrant community with a rich blend of faithful commitment and openness to exploring new ideas. It offers a rich, varied and all-encompassing ministry.

We are seeking a priest who;

• Is committed to our vision to be a truly inclusive community, where all are welcome and known to be loved by God.
• Has personal warmth and strong relational skills and delights in a ministry of presence
• Can lead the Church into the next stage of its life, from initial pioneering to being a stable and established Christian presence for Mereside, and in so doing support the laity in addressing financial and governance issues
• Shares our vision for encouraging lay involvement in all aspects of church life.
• Is open to the planting of new congregations and developing a multi-congregation model
• Seeks to develop our church life in line with our Diocesan Vision 2026
• Brings an agility, spontaneity and humour to ministry and who loves to be an entrepreneur
• Is enthusiastic about overseeing the Blackpool Ministry Experience scheme.

Church website: https://freedomchurchmereside.org.uk/

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/

To make an informal enquiry about the post please contact The Venerable David Picken, Archdeacon of Lancaster Tel 07493 299677 / david.picken@blackburn.anglican.org

Closing date for applications: Monday 9th January 2023

Interview date: Wednesday 25th January 2023