Associate Vicar - Lancaster Priory

Overview

Welcome from the Vicar

Thank you for your interest in the post of Associate Priest at Lancaster Priory. This appointment is a significant appointment for us as we begin to shape the next phase of our parish’s life in line with our emerging vision. Be assured that the successful candidate will be joining a team of people who are fully committed to the flourishing of mission and ministry at the heart of our parish and across the wider Diocese of Blackburn. I hope that the pack encourages you to consider applying, and we look forward to hearing from you.

The Revd Leah Vasey-Saunders
Vicar of Lancaster

Introduction

About this Role

Lancaster Priory is at the beginning of a new phase in mission and ministry, following the arrival of a new incumbent in September 2021 and as it looks to launch a new vision and strategic plan in November. The need to create a role to address the missional priorities in the parish has been a key part of this emerging vision. It led to participation in a recent successful Diocesan bid for Strategic Mission Funding designed to establish four posts of first responsibility (suitable for candidates approaching the end of curacy) in the diocese. One of these posts will be an Associate Priest at the Priory. You can read more about SMF on the Church of England website: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/diocesan-resources/ministry/strategic-ministry-fund.

Mission Priorities
The PCC has identified four missional priorities that are key in the next 5 years. These are described on pages 4-5. These priorities are not ranked in order and are all equally important to the PCC. This role will have primary responsibility for delivering two of these priorities. Alongside priority four (Caring better for God’s creation) we are asking candidates to consider which of the first two priorities they might have the gifts and experience to lead on. It is envisaged that the successful candidate will work alongside the vicar across the
whole parish, working to each other’s strengths. These priorities are:

Firstly, the existing Priory congregations are committed to a process of investing in families, children and young people in order to grow younger and raise up a new generation of disciples and leaders. This would build on current outreach work to families, the existing plan for youth and children’s work development, the all age service and our strong links with local schools and universities.

Secondly, there is a desire to engage in distinctively Christian outreach and to build a new Christian worshipping community on the Marsh Estate that is both rooted in the context of the Marsh and supported and resourced by the Priory as a vibrant part of their parish. This would build on the existing Sunday afternoon congregation and the ministry of the community worker to reach out in mission and evangelism to the Marsh. In order to resource these two projects and successfully develop outreach in our parish and to maintain a significant sized congregation and civic ministry, with the support of the Diocese of Blackburn and the Church
of England Strategic Mission Fund, Lancaster Priory are seeking to appoint an ‘Associate Priest’ to work as part of a revitalised ministry team (lay and ordained) in developing this work over the next five years.

If you would like an informal conversation about this role, please be in touch with Revd Leah Vasey-Saunders: vicar@lancasterpriory.org.

Main Responsibilities

This Role Description should be read in conjunction with the application pack and the Guidelines for the Professional Conduct of the Clergy which apply to all in ordained office and is subject to review. The successful candidate will have a ministry agreement which is reviewed every three months in the first year as the mission priorities develop. It is envisaged that this candidate will lead on either priority one or two and priority four.

General Responsibilities
As a key leader of our Priory team, you will play a full part in all areas of ministry and mission serving the wider town and Deanery and contributing to our emerging vision for the future. This will be rooted in prayer and through the development of good relationships and communication with the vicar, Priory staff and volunteers, including the following
responsibilities:

• To participate fully as a member of the ministry team.
• To take an active role in worship, preaching and pastoral care across the whole parish.
• To attend PCC and other meetings as appropriate. Chairing the PCC twice a year, and other working groups as appropriate.
• To work alongside the vicar in developing the parish’s ministry to schools.
To participate in the parish’s ministry to the wider area when appropriate (civic and community).
• To fully participate in and contribute to the life of the Deanery (including Chapter and Synod) and Diocese.
• To undertake such additional duties as reasonably required by the vicar.
• To lead and serve the congregations of the parish as directed by the vicar and in collaboration with other members of the ministry team.
• To have oversight for occasional office ministry, and as part of the ministry team develop preparation, planning and a coherent system of relationship building, ensuring that good effective follow up is part of our nurture and discipleship.
• Have the flexibility to respond to the outcomes of our parish strategic plans, you will use your gifts to develop specific areas of responsibility and oversight in conversation with the vicar.

Key and Missional Responsibilities for Priority One: Inspiring New Generations
• To develop children’s and youth work.
• To develop work with students.
• Build pathways for newcomers and those on the fringes of church to better integrate into the life of the church and community.
• To recruit, develop and oversee volunteers and new ministries within these areas of mission.
• To develop the evangelistic skills of the congregation through appropriate resources and activities.
• Develop an appropriate alternative expressions of prayer, study and worship to engage new generations (in sympathy with our tradition).
• To oversee our digital ministries and communications with our strengths and priorities in mind.

Key and Missional Responsibilities for Priority Two: Growing deeper roots on the Marsh
• To lead a parish team who will develop community projects and mission on the Marsh estate.
• To develop and oversee volunteers and new ministries within that area of mission.
• To build a new worshipping congregation on the Marsh which is set within the ethos and vision of the parish and has appropriate and positive connections to the priory.
• To develop sustainability and clear goals to enable the Marsh community and church plant to play its part in the delivery of the vision and strategy of the priory.
• To supervise and line-manage the community worker. Whose primary focus of ministry is the Marsh estate and take oversight of all activities in that part of the parish.
Key and Missional Responsibilities for Priority Four: Caring better for God’s Creation
• To have oversight of the lay-led EcoChurch team in empowering them to achieve silver/gold status.
• To develop and oversee volunteers and new ministries within this area of mission.
• To have responsibility for the development of a PCC strategy for the 2030 net zero goal.
• To raise awareness of environmental issues across the congregations through study and worship.
• Develop key partnerships within the parish and city.

Training and Development
The Priory offers a broad and diverse range of opportunities to grow in experience of leadership, mission and evangelism for the successful candidate. We hope that the successful candidate will find themselves encouraged to grow in many ways as their vocation develops. There will be support and encouragement to engage with Continuing Ministerial Development and in seeking out training and development opportunities beyond the Diocese.

Safeguarding
All staff and volunteers are expected to demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all children and adults who may be vulnerable, who are involved with and/or visit the Priory. The successful candidate will be required to undertake regular mandatory training and adhere to policies and procedures, following good practice in relation to their own behaviour and conduct and undertaking any safeguarding duties commensurate with their specific role.

The Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a priest who:

Essential
• has previous experience of estate ministry and/or ministry to students, children and young people.
• has an excitement about their faith, is reflective and prayerful, and makes time for their own spiritual health and development e.g. retreats, wider interests and spiritual direction.
• will be committed to mission and evangelism in the catholic tradition.
• will be committed to the development plans of Lancaster Priory as set out in this document.
• is a person who treasures both word and sacrament and can lead worship prayerfully and confidently.
• has experience of nurturing children, young people and adults in the Christian faith.
• values the richness of Anglican choral and liturgical spirituality whilst having a creative and pioneering spirit, open to new possibilities of outreach and ministry.
• is a good communicator who can inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.
• is a team player and team leader, able to encourage collaboration.
• is a person capable of building and leading effective teams.
• demonstrates a maturity of character and a good sense of humour.
• has the ability to stay calm under pressure.
• is willing to receive constructive criticism and adapt.
• is a well organised, confident user of IT who will self-manage and prioritise their workload effectively, maintaining a good work/life balance.
• demonstrates a commitment to the full inclusion of all, with special regard to age, ability, gender identity, sexuality, religion, economic status, social class, and ethnicity.
• is committed to current Safeguarding culture and procedures.

Desirable
• has a theology degree.
• has church planting experience.
• has experience of significant engagement in estate ministry and/or ministry to students, children and young people.
• has experience of EcoChurch or other resources for climate action.
• has Line management experience.
• has experience of using ChurchSuite or another data management system.

About us

Closing date for applications: 21st November 2022 

Interviews: 8th December 2022

Blackburn diocese https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/

Lancaster Priory https://lancasterpriory.org/