We want to reach out and grow – could you be the one to help us?

St James’ would make a great first parish for someone with a dynamic approach who shares our vision of winning people for Christ and building them up in Christ, though we would equally welcome someone with more experience bringing these characteristics to the role. We have a solid foundational vision which is supported by the PCC and can now be built on in the name of Christ to bring it to fruition.

Summary of Role

• Single church benefice in the thriving market town of Chorley
• St James is a church in the conservative evangelical tradition and values biblical preaching which applies Scripture to daily life
• The PCC has a vision to grow the church to an attendance of 200, supported by a clear mission action plan
• The church has a strong children’s work and very close links with church primary school
• The Diocese of Blackburn has a strong vision for healthy churches transforming communities
• The PCC has requested the appointment of a male vicar in line with the 2014 House of Bishops’ Declaration

Our Vision

St James’ Church is committed to actively working together towards our vision and we have identified five key areas to work on during the next five years. Therefore, we are looking for a priest who will lead us in:

1. Growing the Church

Through prayer, teaching, compassion and outreach we would like to grow our congregation so that we can achieve the national average attendance for the population of our parish. This ambitious target would mean increasing our regular attendance at Sunday services to something approaching 200.

2. Growing Bible Teaching, Understanding and Application

To build people up in Christ we recognise that there is a need for people to encounter God and have a deep understanding of, and a love for, Christ. St James’ therefore aims to increase the number of our congregation attending regular Bible study groups and prayer meetings, and ensuring that our members prioritise Bible reading and prayer in their day-to-day life.

3. Growing into the Community

St James’ has a passion for engaging with our community to win people for Christ. We aim to re-start our community toddler group and to build a relationship with the new community centre and retirement apartment complex that is due to open in our parish in Spring 2023.

4. Growing Leaders and Volunteers

St James’ recognises that if we are to achieve our vision and deliver this plan, it will be essential to grow leaders and volunteers from within our congregation and by drawing on external resources. We seek a leader who will equip empower more women and men for leadership and service.

5. Growing and Improving Our Church Facilities

Over the years St James’ has successfully improved our Church building including new heating, removing pews to create a flexible space, and improving our foyer. We will prioritise and implement further improvements to our facilities over the next five years that will enable us to serve our congregation and community more effectively.

We are looking for

• A prayerful, mission-minded conservative evangelical who will recognise, nurture, and support the contribution of all parishioners in the leadership and mission of the church in a way that reflects Ephesians 4.
• Someone vision-minded but grounded in biblical truth and prayer, upholding theological integrity in a way that is relatable and relevant to the congregation in their daily lives.
• Someone who can bring all facets of the congregation together into a cohesive group and unite them in Christ, so that we see spiritual growth across all age groups.
• A leader who will help to equip and grow more male and female leaders from within our church family, recognising the importance of empowering women in leadership and service.
• Someone who will be a shepherd both to the congregation and in the community, showing love and care in a way that puts St James’ at the heart of the parish.
• A leader of the church who will organise the leadership team to ensure that all diocesan policy and legal requirements are fulfilled.
• Someone to lead in developing the vision and work with our dynamic PCC to take us forward in all areas of ministry, developing our contemporary worship whilst also respecting the traditions of the BCP service

For an informal conversation about the post, please contact the Area Dean of Chorley Revd Neil Kelley rector@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

For information about Blackburn diocese please follow this linkhttps://jobs.churchofengland.org/blackburn/vision-2026/

For information on making an application through Pathways please follow this linkhttps://jobs.churchofengland.org/HELP/candidate-faq/

Closing date: Friday 14th April 2023

Interviews will be held on: Friday 5th May 2023