Full-Time Associate Minister St Andrew’s and Townfield, Bebington

Introduction

Full-Time Associate Minister

St Andrew’s and Townfield, Bebington: Associate Minister for the Parish, and Minister for Townfield Church

This Associate Minister post, open to ordained men and women, is an Incumbent-status post, similar to that of many Team Vicar roles. It carries a large degree of autonomy, but with the support of a wider team. The role combines responsibility for the day-to-day running and leadership of Townfield Church, with shared ministry across the parish under the leadership of the Rector. 

We are a two-church evangelical parish in a suburban area of the Wirral. St Andrew’s is an ancient church, dating back over 900 years, with a long evangelical history. Townfield is our most recent church plant, having started in 1992 in the church school. It is now an established church in its own right, serving the school community and nearby area whilst remaining a part of the parish, and operating in close partnership with St Andrew’s Church. 

We are seeking a minister who:

• has a love for Jesus and for people 
• is a gifted and flexible Bible teacher and preacher
• is committed to personal and corporate prayer 
• has a passion for reaching the lost and nurturing the Christian faith
• is a collaborative team player
• models grace and truth in life, ministry and leadership

The post is fixed for the maximum legally permissible 5-year term, which will be renewable. Funding for this post is secure. 

·    Closing date: 3 December 2025

·    Interviews: 12 January 2026

Please apply via the Chester Diocesan website using the application form provided:

Associate Minister - Diocese of Chester Website advert

You are very welcome to contact the Rector, Revd David Vestergaard, for an informal conversation on david@standrewsbebington.org.uk  or 0151 458 2794. (Please note that he is not available from 23 Oct to 4 Nov; messages will be responded to promptly on return.)

• The Diocese of Chester is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• An Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for the successful candidate.
• 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.

Please complete the application form below and send it to: 

The Ven Dr Michael Gilbertson, Archdeacon of Chester michael.gilbertson@chester.anglican.org

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.