Vicar - Christ Church & St John, Clapham

Introduction

The Bishop of Southwark and the parish of Christ Church and St John, Clapham, invite applications for a new Vicar to lead our inclusive, Eucharistic, community-based church rooted in the catholic tradition of the Church of England.

We are a vibrant, multicultural congregation, the majority of whom are of African and Caribbean heritage. We are deeply committed to worship, social outreach, and spiritual growth — all underpinned by sacrament, hospitality, and justice.

Following the retirement of our Vicar after 28 years of faithful service, we are looking for a full-time priest who will live in the parish and help lead us into a renewed season of growth and mission.

We are praying for a priest who is:

• Firmly grounded in the Catholic tradition, affirming the centrality of the Eucharist, and able to lead rich, inclusive and creative liturgy that reflects the cultural diversity of our parish.
• Passionate about community engagement, with a heart for social justice and an ability to lead and serve in a richly multicultural, inner-city context.
• A pastoral and collaborative leader, committed to enabling lay ministry, developing leadership across the congregation, and encouraging others in faith and service.
• Experienced in ministry with children, young people and families, and eager to strengthen and expand this area of church life.
• Financially aware and visionary, able to work with the PCC to build a secure and sustainable future through effective use of resources and fresh approaches to income generation.
• Interested in music and cultural expression in worship, open to developing our musical offering and nurturing the musical gifts within the congregation.
• A compassionate communicator, prayerful and hopeful, who brings energy, depth and joy to our church life.

What we offer:

• A committed and welcoming congregation with a strong sense of belonging, rooted in prayer, sacrament, and service.
• An established and active programme of community outreach including children’s clubs, a food bank, ESOL classes, youth work, and a long-standing partnership with the Springfield Community Flat.
• A well-appointed five-bedroom vicarage next to the church, and access to other parish buildings with missional and income-generating potential.
• A parish open to change, with an experienced administrator, a dedicated PCC, and strong local partnerships.

Come and help us build on our strong foundations — to grow as a faithful, inclusive and sustainable church at the heart of Clapham.

For an informal conversation about this post with the Archdeacon of Lambeth, the Ven Simon Gates, please email simon.gates@southwark.anglican.org. The successful candidate will need to have completed a first incumbency.

Closing date: Sunday 3 August

Parish visit for shortlisted candidates: Saturday 30 August

Interviews: Monday 1 September

We have a policy in Southwark Diocese that to be appointed to an incumbent status post, a priest must have served a title post in an Anglican church in the British Isles. We aim to be a diverse and truly representative Diocese, and particularly welcome applications from people of UKME heritage.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.