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Rector

Vacancy Reference cofe/TP/12760/2246

This Vacancy has been closed.

Number of Positions:
1
Contract Type:
Trainee - Ordinands
Salary/Stipend:
Location:
Chevening
Closing Date:
05/06/2020
Vacancy Category:
Rochester
Business Unit:
Clergy
Organizational Unit:
Benefice

Overview

Could you be the next Rector of Chevening? 

We believe we are on the threshold of something new that the Holy Spirit is leading us towards: could you be the person God is calling to lead us through this transformation and beyond?

St Botolph's, Chevening is a church with a strong tradition of good biblical and theological teaching and a culture of mutual love, welcome, hospitality and strong fellowship, coupled with a heart for mission and evangelism.

The ancient parish of Chevening stretches from the North Downs, just north-west of Sevenoaks, southwards to the Weald. The church, Anglo-Saxon in origin, is at the junction of the west-east Winchester to Canterbury Pilgrims’ Way and the south-north Old Rye Road, along which fish from the south coast was brought to London. The 18th century Chevening House with its parkland, part of the mediaeval manor of Chevening, lies close to the church, and now provides the country retreat for the Foreign Secretary.

The parish of Chevening is a popular place to live, principally because of its good transport connections; its proximity to good schools at primary and secondary level; its location in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; and good pubs/restaurants.

 

Introduction

What We Offer

  • People who are hungry for God and his kingdom.
  • A culture of regular prayer
  • A children's ministry which grew impressively but needs re-kindling
  • A wide range of worship styles.
  • An established programme of Alpha, Marriage and Restored Lives courses.
  • Sound finances, and a track record of successful fund-raising.
  • Buildings all fit for purpose including modern 5-bedroom rectory and a house which could provide accommodation for a curate or youth worker
  • First class support from our Parish Administrator; a lively PCC and four-person warden team; and a committed and enthusiastic team of lay helpers.
  • A solid foundation of just three Rectors in the last four decades, each staying ten years or more, each developing the work of their predecessor.

Main Responsibilities

As a congregation, our Hopes and Dreams are:

  • To grow a church in which all ages are nurtured and valued and enabled to deepen their faith.
  • To grow in discipleship and stewardship, not to stand still.
  • To have a stronger mission focus.
  • To grow the already strong culture of prayer.
  • To listen more attentively to the promptings of the Spirit.
  • To extend our pastoral care and reach out imaginatively to groups such as the elderly, the housebound or others who might feel marginalised.
  • When possible, to have a curate or ordinand working alongside the Rector, and to encourage interns, all of whom have contributed significantly to parish life in recent years (though none are now in post).
  • To recruit a youth worker.

The Ideal Candidate

In light of this, we are praying for a new Rector who will:

  • Work with the PCC and the congregation to develop a strong set of Vision and Values.
  • Have a heart for mission and evangelism.
  • Be a shepherd who can bring closer together the different age groups within our church, and help us to find ways of including the elderly and vulnerable as fully as possible in church life and worship given the likely constraints as we emerge from lockdown.
  • Be a dynamic leader with a servant heart, able to relate to and encourage people of all ages and levels of faith to participate in church and community life; in short, an enabler.
  • Be a strategic thinker and collaborative organiser, sensitively discerning how best to release our potential for growth and live out our vision.
  • Energetically encourage discipleship at all ages and stages within our congregation.
  • Build on the work already in hand for children and young people, with a particular focus on teenagers.
  • Be a gifted preacher and teacher.
  • Bring the Gospel alive, reaching out to young and old, convinced and sceptical, building everyone up for service in today’s challenging world.
  • Have an ability to communicate with those who have no existing relationship with, or even framework of understanding of, God.
  • Invigorate our worship, maintaining the best of traditional liturgy and music whilst encouraging the development and acceptance of new forms of worship.
  • Actively promote the Rochester Diocesan initiative “Called Together”.
  • Lead us in pursuing our plans for adapting the main church building.
  • Be compassionate, a good listener, and committed to the pastoral needs of the community.
  • Be prayerful, holy spirit–led, and encouraging in the use of the gifts of the holy spirit in appropriate ways/settings.
  • Go on retreat, take time out to be refreshed, and be able to maintain a sensible work/life balance.
  • Enjoy being visible in the local community, actively seeking opportunities for our church to make wider connections.
  • Seek to enhance the already strong partnership with our church school.
  • Be fun and create a joyful environment.

About us

Further information about the Diocese of Rochester can be found at: http://www.rochester.anglican.org

St Botolph’s Church:  http://cheveningchurch.org

Patron: The Archbishop of Canterbury

Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit their application online via Pathways. For any enquiries, please contact Maria Campbell, PA to the Archdeacon of Tonbridge - maria.campbell@rochester.anglican.org.

Closing date for applications: Friday, 5th June 2020.

Interviews will be held on Monday, 6th July.

Interviews are to be held in person and therefore subject to any applicable Covid-19 restrictions.

Candidates invited for interview will also be invited to contact the parish to arrange an informal visit prior to the interview date.

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS, with barred list check.

Attached documents: