Arnold is a vibrant market town in the Borough of Gedling five miles from the city centre. Gedling Borough offices are based in the town which has excellent leisure facilities, attractive parks and amenities. There are excellent local schools, both primary and secondary. St Mary’s has a history of creative and sustained numerical growth and strong lay leadership. The church is looking for someone with a deep love of God who is open to the Holy Spirit to lead the church into a renewed vision and fresh season of growing disciples of all ages across Arnold, with the potential for growing new worshipping communities in other areas of the parish.

Closing date: 4 April 2023 / Interview date: 9 and 10 May 2023

Mission Priorities:

Work with the PCC and congregation members to create and implement a confident, fresh vision to grow disciples wider, younger and deeper in Arnold.

Develop a welcoming, loving, church community that reflects the age and social demographic profile of the parish population by growing younger and wider, especially with those unfamiliar with church or unaware of the good news of the gospel.

Assess and develop with the PCC how best to help parishioners move from sympathetic observers to fully integrated disciples.

Develop a strategy for reaching, involving and retaining children, young people and young families.

Discern, develop and deploy lay leaders, especially encouraging younger leaders.

Bring imagination, clarity and purpose to different and complementary worship styles that enable people to encounter God.

Create and implement a financial strategy to reach the church’s financial responsibilities including the payment of full ministry costs.

See Parish Profile

The parish and diocese are looking to appoint a person who will:

With a deep love of God and a desire to draw others into relationship with Him.

Who will enjoy being part of our church family, laugh with us, listen to us and lead us.

Who is comfortable relating to the range of people who live in Arnold.

Who exhibits pastoral awareness and spiritual insight.

Who can continue to build the confidence, trust and hope we have experienced in the vacancy.

Who can appreciate the good that has been done in the past, galvanise the current congregations, while creating fresh vision for growing disciples.

With proven experience of growing the church with energy and enthusiasm

Who works collaboratively and can build good relationships and healthy, functioning teams.

Who is an excellent communicator and preacher, teaching with clarity, imagination and skill.

Who will embrace and develop a range of worship styles and traditions.

Who will enthusiastically engage with the missional potential of occasional offices.

See Parish Profile