Rector - Benefice of Kingsbury, Baxterley with Hurley and Wood End, and Merevale with Bentley

Introduction

The Kingsbury Baxterley group of Churches are a single parish of five villages with five churches in the North Warwickshire countryside.  The patrons and the Bishop of Birmingham are seeking a visionary, compassionate and enthusiastic priest to be our next incumbent.   We are a parish in good spirits and   we are looking for a priest who will embrace the challenges and opportunities of rural ministry, and  who is able to resource and equip our committed and faithful disciples to growth and deeper engagement with our local communities.  A spacious and pleasant modern vicarage is provided.  We value greatly the Anglican breadth that already exists in our parish and we want to work with someone who shares this inclusive vision.  

The ideal candidate will be:

• An energetic leader who will bring  enthusiasm for life and laughter in our communities
• Able to communicate well with those who come to church and those who do not 
• Be able to build up and strengthen our already vibrant ‘unity’ and treasure our ‘small’ congregations  
• A collaborator with other parishes in our Oversight Area as well as collaborating with local schools and other local organisations

To view the Parish Profile please click here

A Diocesan Profile for this post should be read prior to submitting an application, this is available from the Office & Site Manager to The Bishop of Birmingham, Chris Booth who can be emailed on ChrisB@cofebirmingham.com

Closing date: Friday (midnight) 13 February 2026 

Interviews: 9 March 2026

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check

Those interested are encouraged to contact the Archdeacon of Aston, the Venerable Phelim O’Hare, phelim.ohare@cofebirmingham.com or by telephone on 07548 316248

As part of the interview process, following successful shortlisting, candidates will be required to meet either with the Diocesan Bishop or Suffragan Bishop before a panel interview.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, particularly those under-represented including persons of Global Majority Heritage.

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment. All appointments to roles undertaking regulated activity are subject to pre-appointment checks, including a references and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.

The Bishop of Birmingham, looks for priests to serve as incumbents who have the capacity to grow local church in spiritual depth, in numbers, in confident witness, and in serious engagement with their community. Central to this is the task of identifying, encouraging and endorsing the ministry of others and entrusting them with real responsibility in the work of mission and outreach.

The priest appointed to this role must have been ordained in the Church of England or a church in communion with it and must have exercised at least three years ordained ministry. Those applying to be considered must have the right to work in the UK as this vacancy has does not yet qualify to sponsor a visa. The priest appointed will be an office holder under Common Tenure, and the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations will apply. 

It is important that the priest appointed plays a full part in the life of the deanery, particularly Chapter and Synod, and in the wider programmes of the Diocese. Opportunities for ecumenical collaboration should also be pursued, and good relationships sought with other faith communities.