Associate Vicar - Hockley Heath, St Thomas

Introduction

The Bishop of Birmingham and the Vicar of Dorridge and Bentley Heath seek an Associate Vicar to lead the revitalisation of St Thomas’ church in Hockley Heath. This expanding village is 12 miles south of Birmingham and borders the attractive Warwickshire countryside. 

The vision is to see a more family-focussed, contemporary and sustainable Christian community deeply engaged with and serving its community. Christians from the neighbouring parish of Dorridge and Bentley Heath and other local churches will form a missional community to pray for and initiate this work, seeking to cultivate innovative expressions of church rooted in the life of a village community, including local schools. 

This new ministry offers supportive lay and clergy colleagues and five years’ funding from Diocesan Investment Programme and the opportunity to live and worship in a lovely area.

For an informal discussion please contact the Revd Canon Duncan Hill-Brown - vicar@stthockleyheath.org

For 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

This post is therefore designated as an interim post under Regulation 29 of the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations 2009.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check

Closing date: Sunday 12th April 2026

Interviews: Tuesday 28th April 2026

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.