Do you long for children to know Jesus personally?
Do you relate well to children?
Can you equip and encourage our teams of volunteers?
Would you thrive in leading evangelistic Bible studies with Toddler parents?
Would you enjoy being part of a large parish staff team?

If so, we are a well established evangelical Anglican church looking for someone to join our team in developing the mission and ministry of our church and parish.

This is a full time post with housing and pension.
We will also welcome part-time or job share applications.

St Mary's is the historic Parish Church of Chesham, part of the Parish of Great Chesham.
It is home to a friendly church family of all ages, a variety of backgrounds and at different stages of faith.

The main responsibilities include:

• Helping children (0-11 yrs old) to know Jesus personally as their Lord and Saviour
• Supporting Christian families in the nurture of their children’s (0-11 yrs) faith
• Envisioning, leading, equipping and encouraging the volunteer teams responsible for Sunday morning St. Mary's children's groups and midweek toddler groups
• Leading evangelistic Bible studies with toddler parents (mainly mums)
• Organising high-quality training for leaders
• Participating regularly in planning, leading and speaking at monthly all age services
• Planning and delivering with others outreach events suitable for children and their families - e.g. Light Parties, Holiday Club, stalls at community events like the annual School Carnival
• Deepening our links with the primary school in St. Mary's District
• Overseeing the children's ministry resource centre in the Parish Annexe for the benefit of the whole parish
• If full-time there is the opportunity to offer one afternoon a week to a parish based project such as an after school club catering for fringe and unchurched children and their families or a sports based club
• Liaising with the Parish Youth Minister and the Rector to ensure an integrated approach to Christian discipleship from 0-18, and a smooth transition at 11
• Ensuring (alongside the Parish and District Safeguarding Officers) that Church of England Safeguarding procedures are known and clearly followed

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

• A committed Christian (genuine occupational requirement) with classic evangelical convictions regarding God's Word, the substitutionary power of the Cross and the need for personal conversion
• An evangelical in practice, able to explain Christian belief clearly and share your faith with warmth and passion with a growing Christ-like character, showing love for God and a reliance on His grace in your ministry
• Faithful in personal bible study, prayer and nurturing your own walk with Christ
• An effective Bible teacher and communicator, you will enjoy teaching and preaching God’s word to children and in the context of all age services
• An ability to enthuse, encourage and develop the gifts of volunteer leaders
• The ability to relate enthusiastically to children and their world
• Humility in leadership and a teachable heart and willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to work in a team with a flexible approach to areas of responsibility
• Prayerfulness, hardworking, gracious under pressure with the ability to enjoy life
• Theological training or extensive recent experience of church-based children's ministry and willingness to undertake further training
• Well organised both personally and in the overseeing of volunteer teams

DESIRABLE SKILLS:

• Creativity when it comes to children’s teaching material
• Experience of Primary School assemblies
• Competence and confidence in use of IT and audio visual resources in worship and teaching

Interested applicants should download the attached person specification and application form. Completed applications should be emailed to Edward Bowes-Smith.

St Mary's is part of the Parish of Great Chesham. Seven churches working together in and around Chesham are divided into five Districts, under the oversight of the Team Rector, who is based at St Mary’s Church.

As a team ministry, the seven churches in the parish (working in five districts) aim to work together to reach all of Chesham and the surrounding villages with the good news of Jesus Christ. Each of our churches has a distinctive worship style and emphasis, and the team, which is committed to clear Bible-based ministry, has a common desire to see God’s kingdom grow.

Relationships within the parish staff team are very strong. The clergy and full-time staff meet weekly for prayer, Bible study, catching up, diary planning, and parish business. We have an annual Christmas lunch for staff and their families.

Across the parish there are those who hold both complementarian and egalitarian perspectives on men and women's ministry. Both perspectives are welcome on the parish staff team. Our previous Children’s Minister was female.

The parish staff team are united in their support of the Church of England Evangelical Council’s Declaration of Faith and Additional Declarations.