Position Description
A flexible role with great colleagues in a beautiful location
The role of associate priest in the Leightonstone churches is a supporting post, working with 2 experienced colleagues caring for the people and growing the mission of these parishes in the Deanery of Huntingdon. The Deanery is a warm place, with a mix of evangelical, central and catholic tradition parishes working well together.
You will be working with two highly able incumbents serving an area of rural parishes stretching from the A14 to the A1, including the some of the most beautiful churches in the county. Your role will be to assist, develop and support the growth of discipleship, vocations and ministry in 2 benefices that are actively trying to reach younger disciples, whilst nurturing the faith of those who have sustained these rural communities in past years. A lot of the time you will be doing good old fashioned pastoral care, whilst the incumbents focus on change leadership.
The Benefices have a depth of leadership and ministry resources that leave this post needed but not unsupported. Experienced incumbents are in post and you will find a highly collaborative team that can flex around your particular contribution. Undoubtedly there are challenges: rural communities, historic buildings, and the need to find officers. But there are already many good things happening, as the profile will show you (download below).
You may be concerned that this is a huge job. It is not intended to be such. What you will find is a menu of interesting opportunities. You will work primarily with the Assistant Rural Dean (incumbent of West & South Leightonstone) to determine where your gifts and vocation best equip you to serve with joy and creativity. You will together work out a role description. Both incumbents will be your colleagues, but you will not be pulled in different directions. We are clear about that.
Person Specification
We would like you to have the following qualities/abilities:
Essential
- a “people person” with good communication skills, emotional intelligence, and warmth – someone easy to “get along with”.
- the ability to engage with the regular village congregations, also having the energy to reach out beyond those congregations.
- be confident in their own theology, but comfortable working with those who hold a differing understanding or tradition.
- be able to appreciate the joys and challenges of maintaining historic church buildings with small active congregations and help us imagine a viable future.
- be able to engage with and lead existing pastoral teams, equipping and enabling them to grow the reach of the churches in the villages.
- share a belief in an equality of ministry between lay and ordained
- be able to work as one amongst equals
- be inclusive – inclusivity is non-negotiable
- use imagination and creativity to see beyond limitations to offer possible solutions.
- be at ease with the wider role in the community which is required of a rural priest.
- be able to work within procedures so there is clarity in delegation and responsibility for delivery.
- be a car driver.
Desirable
- have previous experience of leadership in a rural, multi parish context.
- have experience to help and support sound financial practices across the benefice and encourage us to look at new governance arrangements.
- be comfortable with traditional ways of worshipping (ie BCP) as well as the more flexible variations of Common Worship and innovative worship.
- be comfortable with using IT to communicate across the benefice. The ability to support and develop our social media presence would be greatly appreciated.
What we can offer to you
- we understand that there are particular reasons why you have decided to apply for a House for Duty position. As far as is possible we will work with you to ensure that our pattern of working together supports your other commitments and needs.
- we have a Ministry team where there are varieties of time commitment and recompense, but we try to work by consensus. Our Ministry team is a mix of lay leaders and ordained.
- we will recognise your working and non-working days, and work with you and the parishes to ensure that your times are protected.
- daily office on Zoom (as appropriate); regular meetings with the incumbents; monthly Ministry team meetings (with food).
Further Information and Applications
- Deadline for Applications: 27 April 2024
- Interviews: 29 May 2024 (AM)
- Preferred Candidate (Zoom) Appointment with Bishop Dagmar: 29 May 2024 (7.30pm)
- Parish Profile – Download here
- Application Form – Download here
- Enquiries about this post can be made to the Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech, Ven Richard Harlow, on 07415757527 or archdeacon.handw@elydiocese.org or by contacting the 2 incumbents listed at the end of the profile.
- To apply for the post, download the Application Form and send it to archdeacon.handw@elydiocese.org by 27 April 2024.
The Diocese of Ely is committed to safer recruitment practices for people working or volunteering with children and adults and therefore this position is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service).