Vicar Christ Church Southport
‘At the heart of Southport with a heart for Southport’
We are praying for a Spirit-filled vicar:
We will offer you a strong, supportive, united and hardworking leadership team and PCC responsive to good collaborative leadership, a well-developed Café outreach, and a congregation with a passion for evangelism and mission. The care and well-being of our clergy is a priority for us.
Southport is a seaside town with a resident population of 90,000. It is easily accessible from all over the North West and is a popular choice for days out, golfing, short breaks, and seaside holidays. The town has little manufacturing, and most residents work in retail, agriculture and other service sectors or commute to Liverpool, Manchester, and Warrington.
The parish served by Christ Church is in the top 10% of the poorest parishes in the UK. It contains a high percentage of bedsits and retirement homes and there are significant issues with drug and alcohol abuse and mental health. Compared to surrounding parishes, it has a high Eastern European population.
It is in the deanery of North Meols and Christ Church has a responsible and influential ministry in the deanery. The Archdeacon is currently acting as Area Dean but will expect to hand this role over to the next vicar after a suitable period.
The Vicar will have a large office/meeting room on the first floor of the Church, overlooking the grounds at the front of the building. The Vicarage is located in Birkdale, approximately one mile south of the church. It is a four-bedroom detached family home with a large garden.
Closing Date: June 7th 2023
Interview Dates: June 21st 2023
For more information please contact: Ven Pete Spiers Archdeacon of Knowsley and Sefton
Mob: 07590690780 or email: pete.spiers@liverpool.anglican.org.uk
Patron Mike Duff from CPAS is also happy to be contacted: mduff@cpas.org.uk
Please apply by downloading the application form and confidential declaration form. Once complete, please return gabrielle.redmond@liverpool.anglican.org
Main priorities
Our ideal candidate:
• Open hearted and welcoming to all
• Passionate to see spiritual growth in others
• Confident and energetic
• Collaborative and consultative
• Empathetic and prayerful
• Approachable and good listener
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:-