The Diocese of York now has funding to develop new worshipping communities with a focus on those in their 20s, 30s and 40s, between the Rivers Humber and Tees and between the A1 and the Yorkshire coast.

This is part of a wider intention to ‘reach those we currently don’t’, standing alongside emerging plans to develop the church’s ministry amongst those living in poverty.

Plans include placing 14 full-time ministers and up to 25 part-time ministers within existing parishes, tasked with enabling these new communities and inspiring fresh approaches in other areas, focused on the needs of younger adults.

The approach to reaching and discipling 20s - 40s will be context-appropriate and there is no fixed template as to how this will be achieved, but we expect those reached will be drawn into new worshipping communities.

The 20s – 40s Minister will be part of the wider parish team but with a clear brief to focus on reaching and discipling 20s – 40s, which the Incumbent and PCC will honour and protect. They will work under the oversight of the Incumbent and can expect support and the necessary freedom to fulfil their role.

Our 20s - 40s Team Leader will support the network of 20s - 40s Ministers across the diocese. It is envisaged that all Ministers will be committed to this network, attending monthly gatherings and offering mutual support and encouragement to colleagues.

Each 20s – 40s Minister will also be offered a mentor / companion who has experience of working in a pioneering way.

• To reach those in their 20s – 40s, encouraging them in their journey of discipleship as followers of Christ
• To enable those who are reached to join in community with others sharing this journey of discipleship. This may take the form of a new worshipping community, Fresh expression(s) of Church, the establishment of a new congregation or the joining of an existing congregation
• To offer encouragement to other churches especially, but not exclusively, in the deanery as they seek to reach 20s – 40s
• To enable this new community to be able to plant out a new congregation and share resources with others to stimulate fresh growth elsewhere

We are seeking missionally-minded clergy and licenced lay workers. We hope this will include OPMs, but we would love to hear from any ministers who have a passion to see younger adults become disciples, and who have proven ability in:

• Relating to 20s - 40s outside of the church and evangelising them effectively
• Growing and developing a sense of community and belonging
• Making and nurturing disciples
• Taking initiative, being imaginative and working 'outside the box'

For more information about this application process, please use this link

We have opportunities for 20s-40s Ministers at three locations, including this one. You can apply specifically for any or all of these vacancies through the Pathways recruitment system.

If you feel more strongly about the gifts you can bring to this kind of pioneering ministry than a call to a particular parish, please apply for any one of the three roles, and email hr@yorkdiocese.org to arrange for your application to be considered for all three roles.

If you would like an informal discussion about these new pioneering opportunities, please contact Revd John Lee, 20s-40s Team Leader, by email at john.lee@yorkdiocese.org or call 01904 202561.

Unfortunately it is not always straightforward for clergy from overseas to be appointed to posts in the Church of England. The policy of the UK Border Agency is that normally the organisation making an appointment has been able to prove that it is possible to appoint a person who is a national of a European Economic Area country, before a visa giving permission to work will be issued to a person who comes from elsewhere.

The Diocese of York

The Diocese of York takes in much of North and East Yorkshire, including the cities of York, Hull and Middlesbrough, and two National Parks. Extending from the River Tees to the River Humber, and from around the A1 road to the incomparable Yorkshire coast, the area is home to around 1.4 million people.

• Reaching those we currently don't
• Moving to Growth
• Achieving sustainable finances

Our official website can be found here: http://dioceseofyork.org.uk