Incumbent for Higher Bebington

Introduction

Full Time 

Incumbent 

Christ Church, Higher Bebington

This is an exciting missional opportunity. We are seeking a full-time vicar for this very active and vibrant parish of central tradition on the Wirral. There are well-developed community links and an excellent modern parish centre adjoining the church.  

 Christ Church is praying for a vicar who will have the following qualities:

• An enthusiasm and energy to encourage in others a sense of the mission and purpose God has for our lives.
• A genuine desire to connect with young families and children and the skills to encourage them to come into a faithful relationship with God. 
• A desire to grow the church in faith and to promote the church as an open and welcoming faith community, building on the connections already established with the local community and engaging with that community enthusiastically. 
• A sincere heart for mission and outreach and finding new ways to help those in our community who are less fortunate or face significant challenges, promoting the church as a beacon of hope in our parish. 
• Someone who can encourage the congregation to live out their Christian faith in daily life, Monday to Saturday and not only on a Sunday. 
• A team player with the ability to motivate a diverse group of volunteers across all aspects of church life and community life, to encourage and support lay ministry, to recognise skills and resources, and to delegate and “let go.” 
• Willingness to embrace interfaith dialogue. 
• A desire to continue to support and champion the church’s Eco work. 
• Strong leadership qualities, an ability to evaluate PCC and church priorities and to deliver sustained improvement on the key objectives identified. 
• Ability to foster a strong safeguarding culture in the parish. 
• Aspirational, but realistic – the PCC will be keen to enter into an open dialogue with the incumbent to review the church’s priorities and assess its resources, and in doing so is happy to consider what of the things already taking place should continue, what might stop and what might change. 
• Possessing a keen sense of humour.

 Closing date for applications: 19 October

 Interviews: 19 November

 Prospective applicants are welcome to discuss this post with: 

The Archdeacon of Chester, the Ven Dr Michael Gilbertson 

Tel: 01928 643441

Email: michael.gilbertson@chester.anglican.org 

Applications are also to be sent to this address.

 Please note: The Diocese of Chester will not shortlist candidates unless they can provide an assurance of up-to-date safeguarding training and a valid DBS check for their current post. Candidates are required to submit relevant training certificates with their applications.

About us:

The Diocese of Chester is in the province of York in the Church of England, part of the global Anglican Communion. For more information about our life, ministry and work please visit our website www.chester.anglican.org  We are linked with the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands and the Dioceses of Aru and Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Diocese covers an area of 1025 square miles, approximately the old Victorian County of Chester, including parts which subsequently became absorbed into Merseyside and Greater Manchester. The Rivers Mersey and Tame approximately delineate the boundary with Liverpool and Manchester. There are areas of dense urban population, mainly in the north, stretching from Birkenhead to East Manchester. There are prosperous suburban regions of West and South Wirral, Chester and south of Manchester, with a mainly rural heartland, bounded by the Derbyshire Pennines and the Welsh Border. The overall population is around 1.6 million.

The Diocesan Bishop is Mark Tanner, Bishop of Birkenhead Julie Conalty and the Bishop of Stockport is Samuel Corley.

The Cathedral for the Diocese is in Chester.

The Diocese is divided into two archdeaconries: 

Chester covering the western half and Macclesfield the eastern, each with nine deaneries. There are 273 parishes, about 100 of which can be described as rural. Compared with many dioceses, there are few teams, and few multi-parish benefices. There are approximately 231 stipendiary clergy. The ministry of Readers and Pastoral Workers is important, with over 400 licensed. The role of self-supporting ministers is increasing, with over 80 in post at present.

Roughly speaking, the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield covers that part of the diocese to the east of the M6, plus the area around Crewe and Nantwich. The Archdeaconry of Chester covers the rest of the diocese to the west of the M6. Each archdeaconry has a broad mix of urban and rural parishes. The Archdeacon of Chester lives in Chester, and the Archdeacon of Macclesfield lives in Congleton. Both now work from Church House, Daresbury.