Job Description: Director of Operations and Church Life We are praying and looking for the person whom God is calling to be Director of Operations and Church Life on the staff at All Saints' Woodford Wells (Diocese of Chelmsford). The parish comprises two churches, All Saints and Saint Andrew s, and (as of autumn 2015) we also have responsibility for the parish of Saint Cedd s Barkingside. The Post becomes available in June 2016. 1. THE PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST To provide leadership and oversight in all areas of operations and church life issues ensuring that the activities of the church embody the vision and values of All Saints, and to enable the local community to encounter the kingdom at All Saints. This includes but is not limited to: Providing oversight for all that takes place on the church site from an operational and ministry perspective Fostering a positive, organised working environment for all staff Taking responsibility for implementing effective structures, systems and plans to aid the ministry of the church, working closely with the Vicar, Director of Facilities, Events Co-ordinator and others This post is directly responsible to the Vicar, working as a member of the Senior Management Team. 2. THE SORT OF PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR Whilst few applicants will be able to satisfy every criterion, it is expected that the person appointed would be a strategic, innovative thinker, self-motivated and a natural problem solver with an ability to understand and apply the big picture vision of the church, whilst also ensuring the smallest of details are attended to, as is necessary to effectively manage a large church. The ideal candidate will be able to manage priorities and effectively delegate tasks and responsibilities to both staff and volunteers, and manage their progress. The candidate needs strong people skills and pastoral gifts, and the ability to interact well with a wide variety of people and personalities on the staff team, in the congregation and the community. They will be expected to help identify pastoral care needs for both staff and congregation members, in partnership with the Pastoral Team. The ideal candidate will have strong written and verbal communication skills, be highly organised, be administratively gifted, be able to multi-task, and work effectively under pressure with a can-do attitude and an abundance of grace. The post requires the ability to plan effectively for a wide variety of activities and events, but have the ability to be flexible within that plan, as needed. He or she will be able to effectively manage projects and events of a variety of sizes and scales. The ideal candidate will be able to effectively work as part of a team and understand how to effectively share responsibilities. They will work closely with Paul and Becky Harcourt (as the leaders of the church), the Director Page 1 7
of Facilities and the rest of the Senior Management Team (churchwardens and the treasurer). They will also work across the staff team to ensure all activities and systems run smoothly, and that activities and events, as well as the vision and values of All Saints, are communicated consistently and effectively. Competence and experience in working with office IT systems, including Microsoft Office and online applications, such as Planning Center and MailChimp, will be needed. Familiarity with specific applications is desirable but not essential. It is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) for the person in this role to be a strong, mature and committed Christian, dedicated to building God s Kingdom through this role. They will be expected to have a strong personal faith and to be a regular and to be a committed member of All Saints, active in Sunday worship and midweek activities. The tradition of the church is evangelical charismatic, although service styles vary from formal to contemporary, and we would only appoint someone who is in full agreement with the New Wine Vision and Values (attached). The Director of Operations and Church Life is expected to maintain and develop his or her own spiritual life, and we would want them to develop their own support group to provide advice and encouragement. All Saints offers a wide variety of resources to assist in this effort. We also encourage all staff to ensure they have time for family and friends and sufficient time to relax. This person will ideally have some experience working within a church setting, ideally the Church of England. 3. THE STAFF TEAM We are well served by a large staff team and active laity. Under the overall leadership of the Vicar, we have a large staff of over 30 full, part-time and volunteer staff. This currently includes an Associate Minister, who oversees St. Andrew s, one title-post curate, and one part-time self-supporting minister as our clergy, two lay ministers at St. Cedd s, as well as several part-time staff overseeing counselling and pastoral care for the congregation. We also have a Director of Facilities, an Events Coordinator, Secretary to the Vicar, full and parttime Children s Workers and Youth Worker, Worship Leaders, Head of Tech, New Wine Discipleship Year leaders, Westminster Theological Centre Hub Director, a team that runs The Atrium coffee shop, as well as interns in various roles. The present incumbent has been in the parish since 1995, initially as Curate-in-charge of St. Andrew s. He has been the Vicar since November 2000 and, additionally, priest-in-charge of St Cedd s Barkingside since November 2015. He also holds the role of Regional Director for New Wine (London and East) and regularly travels as a result of this responsibility. 4. MAIN ACTIVITIES To fulfil the job description, the following activities may be regularly undertaken. The list is not definitive; it may be amended from time to time to achieve the job description within the terms and conditions of employment. Staff Coordination and Management Functions Direct management of Event Coordinator, Secretary to the Vicar, The Atrium Manager and potentially other staff, as appropriate. Coordinating weekly staff meetings, away days, training events and communicating details of meetings and events to the staff team as well as meetings of the PCC and Senior Management Team Human Resources recruitment, contracts, job descriptions, benefits (e.g. holidays, pensions) Event and Activity Coordination Page 2 7
Providing oversight for the coordination of a variety of events on and off the site, working closely with the Director of Facilities, Event Coordinator, Secretary to the Vicar and others to ensure the right balance of events and activities and that all events run smoothly and the site is safe and secure. This will include weekly preparation of a site diary, managed with the Events Coordinator in an online diary system. Events include but are not limited to: Regular and occasional outside hires - e.g. family parties, uniformed organisations, onsite preschool, mum and toddler groups Occasional Services e.g. weddings, baptisms, funerals, confirmation services Special events e.g. New Wine events onsite, regular outreach events, visiting church groups Offsite events e.g. New Wine events offsite, staff away days, leadership training for staff Sunday Services Coordination Ensuring all necessary elements of Sunday services are in place. This includes but is not limited to: Working with staff and volunteers to coordinate and distribute the rota of preachers, leaders, communion administrants, sidespersons, tech, worship, coffee, etc. Ensuring the right facilities are prepared and resources are in place for all activities on a Sunday (e.g. coffee, communion bread and wine, bulletins and notices) Being present on Sundays to oversee the smooth running of services and to engage/interact with the congregations Communications Oversight Providing guidance and oversight to staff team and volunteers to ensure all events and activities of the church are effectively communicated through the appropriate resources such as the weekly Sunday bulletin, daily email with prayer and notices, monthly email newsletter, Welcome Packs, Website, posters, flyers and leaflets. Establishing protocols to ensure consistent use of All Saints branding and logos across communications. Finance Functions Work in conjunction with the Treasurer and Finance Assistant to ensure that staff teams adhere to their budgets, to review and approve all expense claims and invoices, and provide oversight for weekly banking of collections, takings from The Atrium café and other income. 5. THE PARISH The Parish is on the borders of East London and Essex, in the London Borough of Redbridge, and within Epping Forest. It is close to the M11, A406 (North Circular Road) and M25, and is served by the Central Line (London Underground). Liverpool Street and the City are some 20-30 minutes away. The Electoral Roll is 602 for the parish (All Saints and St. Andrew s combined), and currently up to six services on a Sunday are held between the two churches. As of autumn 2015, St. Cedd s Barkingside is part of the All Saints Minister Unit. In 2012, All Saints and Saint Andrew s also re-planted All Saints Highams Park but, although there remains a good working partnership, there is no ongoing formal relationship between the parishes. 6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS The appointment is subject to a six-month probationary period. The salary for this full-time (37.5 hours per week) role ( 25000) would be negotiable dependent on experience. The PCC will pay the employer s National Insurance contributions and a non-contributory stakeholder pension scheme that is administered by Standard Life. The working week will require four days midweek, together with Sundays, with Thursdays and Saturdays as usual days off. Some flexibility would be required in order to fit in with midweek and Saturday conferences and Page 3 7
events. You will be entitled to 30 days paid holiday (in addition to the 8 public holidays) each year, to be taken on dates agreed in advance with the Vicar. 7. FURTHER INFORMATION Those who feel that this may be God's calling and place should submit an application, CV and covering letter. Please send all details to: Miss Elise Peterson Director of Operations and Church Life All Saints' Church Inmans Row, Woodford Green Essex IG8 ONH Tel: 020 8504 0266 Email: elise@asww.org.uk Page 4 7
VISION, VALUES AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH Our vision is simple to see Jesus at the centre of every life, marriage, family, workplace, community and nation. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and is the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and conduct. As such, we hold to traditional Christian understandings with regard to Christian doctrines and ethics. We also understand the Christian vision as being that which Jesus preached, namely the coming of the Kingdom of God. Our vision therefore extends beyond personal discipleship to the transformation of society. We accept that Jesus called his disciples to be partners with God in bringing this Kingdom through co-operating with the Holy Spirit. This includes an openness to, and participation, in miraculous signs and wonders as a demonstration of the good news. We combine a focus on the immediate local area with a strong sense of being a sending church. We see ourselves as called to be a resource church, helping the wider Church to extend the Kingdom locally, regionally, nationally, and across the world. We recognise that Christians have been blessed to be a blessing. The five strategic areas of our development that have guided us were amended following the completion of the site re-development and the closure of our building project in December 2013. The strategic areas now read: Making the most of the opportunities and developing the ministry and structures that suit our expanded facilities. Welcome and assimilation of newcomers. Developing our passion for God s Kingdom and dependence on His resources. Strengthening the on-going life of the church at a parish level. Extension of the church s work to a wider regional and national level. Alongside this, there has been focus at the APCM, as wells as within the staff and PCC on insights from the American Church leader Dr. Tim Keller concerning how larger churches need to restructure in order to break through the barrier of 800 people in attendance. These five areas are: Having an effective small group programme which is also the front-line of pastoral care. Developing the process of welcoming and assimilating newcomers An increased appointment of staff with specialisms rather than those with generalised ministry roles. A de-centralisation of power and decision making so that department heads and those closest to the ministry are encouraged and empowered to lead. Changing the role of the Senior Leader towards vision, strategy, communication and leadership development. Page 5 7
PARISH PROFILE DIOCESE: Chelmsford PARISH POPULATION: 10,500 ELECTORAL ROLL: 602 (50% reside outside the Parish) WHAT SORT OF PARISH ARE WE? Outer London commuter suburb bordering Essex and Epping Forest Mainly residential with owner-occupied, detached or semi-detached housing and some council-tenanted properties Pressure on families through busyness with increasing lack of job security gives rise to family stress and broken relationships No other faith worship centres in the immediate parish but increasingly mixed demographic 3 secondary and 7 primary schools (including Private, Catholic and State) in or on edge of parish WHAT SORT OF CHURCH ARE WE? Two separate church buildings, one at All Saints' and one at St. Andrew's, with a relatively recent building project that has greatly expanded our outreach to the community through The Atrium coffee shop and community use throughout the week. We have also recently added St. Cedd s Barkingside (which is legally a separate parish) to the All Saints Minster Unit, led by part-time lay ministers. We anticipate we may be asked to add additional churches to our minster unit in the future Charismatic Evangelical, deeply committed to New Wine, and with an emphasis on Bible-based teaching Established pattern of shared ministry with considerable lay involvement Variety of worship patterns (with recent growth mainly at the more informal, charismatic services) but with limited crossover between the congregations Active evangelism courses Over 25 small groups Loving and friendly at the core, with many newcomers and working hard to assimilate them into committed membership WHAT SORT OF MINISTRY DO WE HAVE? Seeking to engage the local area with relevant forms of evangelism Developing discipleship that is appropriate to the needs of those who attend church Page 6 7
Retaining a strong emphasis on Bible-based teaching Emphasising children's work, youth work and family ministry as significant opportunities for evangelism and discipleship Partnerships with young adult network church and with estate ministry Growing in the freedom of the Holy Spirit and developing a deeper sense of expectancy Promoting spiritual growth in the areas of personal and corporate prayer Serving the region through hosting conferences and celebrations, particularly but not exclusively with New Wine Supporting people in their discipleship and leadership through programmes such as Westminster Theological Centre (WTC) Hub, New Wine Discipleship Year programme, New Wine Conferences, Healing Prayer School, The Marriage Course, etc. Continuing support for mission at home and overseas, providing people with an opportunity for crosscultural experience. All Saints also has unique overseas involvement through relationships with churches in Sweden, Holland, Finland and beyond, often as a part of our relationships through New Wine. Encouraging our small groups to live out the Christian life in its UPWARD, INWARD and OUTWARD expressions Extensive community engagement through The Atrium coffee bar, hire of church facilities, Pre-School and church outreach activities, such as the Annual Sale, Christmas services and special seasonal events associated with national celebrations such as the Queen s Jubilee and Tour de France. Page 7 7
New Wine vision and values New Wine is a movement of churches working together to change the nation through a network of church leaders, National Gatherings, training events and resources. In 2010 a new vision statement and set of core values were developed, as well as a new strapline ( Local churches changing nations ) to accompany the logo. These communicate the heart of New Wine, and serve as an invitation to be part of the great movement of God to change the nations. Our Vision To see the nation changed through Christians experiencing the joy of worshipping God, the freedom of following Jesus, and the power of being filled with the Spirit. To see churches renewed, strengthened and planted, living out the word of God in every aspect of life, serving God by reaching the lost, broken and poor, and demonstrating the good news of the Kingdom of God to all. Our Values Continuity & Change we want to be faithful guardians of an unchanging message about the person and work of Jesus, and the need for personal salvation and sanctification, while also adapting ways of worship, teaching, being church and doing mission according to culture and context. Cross & Resurrection we want to honour all that Jesus has done for us on the cross, and to embrace the way of the cross for ourselves, while also knowing the power of his resurrection to set us free. Gracious & Truthful we want to be kind and generous in the way we think and speak about others whether they agree or disagree with us, while also clearly communicating what we believe and why we believe it. Leadership & Every-member ministry we want to train and deploy anointed, courageous and missional church leaders, while also equipping every Christian to serve like Jesus in their home, church, work and life-place. Mission & Community we want to see the church become a missionary movement to love and reach the lost, to care for the poor and to bring justice to our homes, neighbourhoods, workplaces and nations, while also being a grace-filled community in which people can find relationship, healing, faith, hope and love. Natural & Supernatural we want to see every Christian using all the natural reason, wisdom and skill that they can, while also learning to operate in the supernatural gifts of the Spirit to minister to others in love and power as Jesus did. Now & Not yet of the Kingdom we want to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God and to see that confirmed by miraculous signs and wonders, while also ministering grace to all, knowing that suffering will be part of life until Jesus returns and makes all things new. Transcendence & Presence we want to live lives that celebrate God s awesome power, transcendent majesty and sovereign work, while at the same time experiencing his intimate presence as we encounter him in heartfelt worship. Unity & Diversity we want to work with everyone who holds these values in open, mutually accountable friendship, while also acknowledging and honouring differences in leadership style, church characteristics and denominational emphasis. Word & Spirit we want to derive all we believe, teach and do from the Bible as the written word of God, while also learning to hear and obey the voice of the Spirit speaking to us individually and collectively.