Associate Vicar

Overview

We’re an open evangelical church in South Tonbridge in Kent linked to New Wine. We’re actively making a difference in our local community, and following the launch of our new vision this is an exciting time for us.

We’re “passionate to know God and to make God known”. That’s our vision, plain and simple. But despite its simplicity, it’s huge. It will require a considerable effort to fully grasp the impact of that for ourselves, whilst at the same time building a church that reaches and serves the many thousands in our community. That’s where you come in. We’re looking for someone inspirational who can take a lead in the area of discipleship and help us take this to the next level. Please read on if that’s you.

Introduction

As our Associate Vicar / Head of Discipleship you will have an important part to play in helping us fulfil our vision, especially:

• Encouraging and supporting a culture of discipleship within the church, helping people grow in being fully devoted, whole-life disciples of Jesus.
• Overseeing, developing and supporting small groups where teaching and preaching will be grounded and applied, and are therefore central to helping people grow as disciples.

Main Responsibilities

• Helping to implement the vision and ministry of St Stephen’s, contributing to the leadership and development of the church.
• Providing leadership in the area of discipleship, including overseeing and helping to develop and lead our small groups, training and equipping leaders and planting new groups.
• Assisting in the priestly ministry in the life of the parish, including preaching, leadership of services and occasional offices, and pastoral care, as part of the team of clergy and lay ministers.
• Being a supportive and prayerful colleague to the Incumbent and wider staff team.
• Providing day-to-day support for the staff team on situations regarding vulnerable adults.
• Having a wider involvement in the Deanery, Diocese, national church and community, as appropriate.

The Ideal Candidate

If you’re our ideal candidate you’ll have a clear ability and passion to inspire others to develop an ever-closer and deeper relationship with God. You will bring experience of helping others grow and mature as disciples. And you will also be a gifted communicator and a great team-player; able to build, lead and inspire teams, in addition to being an integral member of our collaborative staff team.

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

About us

To find out more about us visit www.ststephens.org.uk. We are part of the Diocese of Rochester (www.rochester.anglican.org) and also part of Tonbridge Area Churches Together (www.tact.org.uk).

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday, 31st July. The date for interviews is Wednesday 18th September.

For an informal conversation about this role please email Rev Mark Barker at mark.barker@ststephens.org.uk or call 01732 771977.