We are looking for a talented priest for this church which is integral to community life, welcoming and joyful in worship and inspiring and loving in its ministry to children.

We will offer you a warm welcome, prayerful and loving support, previous experience of working with part-time clergy and consequent expectations, a supportive and efficient PCC and people willing to take on new roles and responsibilities.

This post would suit someone who is willing to offer Sundays + 2 days a week and either wants to be house for duty or part-time without housing provided. In the former case, the vicarage was built in 1975 and is adjacent to the church and set in its own grounds.

St Stephen’s Hightown is part of the deanery of Sefton North. Their buildings are well maintained, they are members of the Parish Giving Scheme and PCC governance is excellent. They are working towards their Eco church silver award. A few years ago, they attended the Leading Your Church into Growth (LYCiG) national conference and have seen real fruit from their engagement. They are creative and imaginative in thinking about ways in which they can engage Hightown residents in the life of the church. They are looking for a priest who will build on all of this legacy but develop it further.

Hightown is small coastal village of around 2000 people between Liverpool and Southport. It has been described as one of the most desirable places to live in the country. It has a pub, a train station, health facilities, a shop, a sports club and a sailing club. The beach is a great place to walk.

Closing Date: Sunday 29^th January 2023

Interview Dates: Monday 13th February 2023

For more information please contact: Ven Pete Spiers Archdeacon of Knowsley and Sefton

Mob: 07590690780 or email: pete.spiers@liverpool.anglican.org.uk

As well as your local responsibility in this area you will also be a leader in the Diocese of Liverpool. As such you will have clear expectations placed on you by your bishop and senior clergy colleagues.

Being part of the Clergy Team in Liverpool Diocese

For many years we have been working to achieve growth in our diocese. We have used different ways to express this but the aim and direction of travel has remained the same – consistent with the whole of the Church of England. We have articulated a vision for this growth by saying

we are asking God for a bigger church so that we can make a bigger difference:

more people knowing Jesus and more justice in the world.

In our diocesan vision we have identified four priority areas for our work in mission in this season:

Introducing people to God through Jesus Christ

Deepening discipleship, especially by means of our Rule of Life

Developing Christian leaders in every place

Working for justice

Like everyone entering a new role in the Diocese, you will accept the priority of these areas, and will measure your ministry by effectiveness in these areas. You will be supported and expected to be accountable (through the Ministerial Development Review as well as through regular meetings with your colleagues) for how they are being implemented within your area of responsibility.

In common with all clergy in the diocese, you will work together with others to:-

1. Establish a culture of invitation in evangelism within the local church.
2. Start new worshipping communities and maintain existing healthy worshipping communities that are accessible to all.
3. Establish a culture in the local church of expecting a deepening of discipleship and putting into practice the 6 disciplines of the Diocesan Rule of Life.
4. Develop prayerfully a strategy for mission and church growth and aligning it with the Diocesan strategy Fit for Mission.
5. Identify, train, release and support new Christian leaders and teams.
6. Encourage vocations by identifying the gifts of others and assisting people to seek God’s calling for their lives.
7. Develop the distinctive ministry of the local Church within the wider context of the Diocese, Deanery and local ecumenical setting by establishing and maintaining good collaborative working relationships with clergy and lay colleagues.
8. Lead your congregations both to pray for justice in the Church and the world and to recognize how, working with others, your congregations can work for more justice in the Church, your local communities, and the world.
9. Ensure that safeguarding, financial and other governance disciplines are followed.

Some of the Main Responsibilities will be to:

• nurture and develop each age group in spiritual growth
• build links with the people and organisations in the village and be a visible presence around the parish
• actively support work with children, young people and their families
• inspire and empower our people to use their gifts in the service of the Church and our community.
• work collaboratively with other clergy at all levels and ecumenically.

Our ideal candidate will be:

• Open hearted and welcoming to all
• Passionate to see spiritual growth in others
• Confident and energetic
• Collaborative and consultative
• Approachable and good listener
• Kind and caring
• Empathetic and prayerful
• Resilient and flexible