BE THE TRAILBLAZER ACTIVATE CHANGE STRENGTHEN LIVES BUILD COMMUNITIES EMBRACE THE CHALLENGES BE THE HELPING HAND FAITH TAKING ACTION PURPOSEFUL ACTION REAL PEOPLE REAL FAITH RISK TAKERS PIONEER EVANGELIST SELBY CENTRE OF MISSION Job Application Pack
FROM THE CEO I am delighted you are interested applying for our Pioneer Evangelist opportunity in the Selby Centre of Mission. For 136 years Church Army, has been committed to unlocking potential in people's lives; embracing the difficult; activating change; and impacting communities across these islands. Church Army is experiencing a time of unparalleled growth. We have grown from 10 Centres of Mission in 2014, to 21 by the end of 2017, and we have many more in the pipeline. Our Marylebone Project is the largest women only homeless project in the UK and last year we provided over 40,000 nights of accommodation and moved over 90 homeless women into their own homes. Our Amber Project in Cardiff helps over 100 young people each year who battle self-harm. Our DARE Strategy commits us to Doing, Advocating, Resourcing and Enabling mission and evangelism, so we take the experience and wisdom from our front-line work and seek to resource and enable more people in the wider church to be confident in evangelism. We are seeing more and more people choose to train with us, and we estimate over 15,000 people have taken part in our Faith Pictures evangelism course through their local churches. Above all Church Army is committed to helping people know their lives matter, because God thinks they are fantastic. All we are is rooted in our values, we are generous, risk taking, accountable, collaborative, expectant, unconditional and prayerful. If you share these values, and want to join us to work towards our vision, that everyone everywhere would encounter God's love and be empowered to transform their communities through faith shared in word and action, then we would love to hear from you. As you read this application pack, please pray whether you could come join us, and join a fantastic, committed, energetic team, who are delivering real change in Selby and across these islands. Mark Russell CEO Page 2 of 13
WE ARE CHURCH ARMY We are Church Army. We are catalysts; strengthening lives and communities. We do not shy from the gospel because we believe it changes lives. Our vision For everyone everywhere to encounter God s love, and be empowered to transform their communities through faith shared in words and action. Our values Everything we do is underpinned by our values: Prayerful - We listen for God's voice and want to be obedient to him. We want to be like Jesus in our actions and witness. Expectant - We are hopeful, expecting God to do new things amongst us. Risk-taking - We have a long heritage as a pioneering movement, prepared to take risks and give colleagues permission to seek to do new things. Accountable - We are accountable to God and others. We want to be reliable and live responsibly to high professional standards. Collaborative - We are committed to partner with those who share our values; we believe it enhances our work. Generous - We want to model God's generosity to others. Unconditional - We will serve anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, ability, status or circumstances because God loves everyone and everyone is significant in his eyes. See our We are Church Army video here Page 3 of 13
FROM THE BISHOP OF SELBY Thank-you for your interest in this post. If you are looking for a challenging adventure with God in an exciting and stretching context and at a strategic time in the life of this Diocese, then this may be the role for you. The Diocese is going through a time of change as we seek to become generous churches, making and nurturing disciples who are growing in Christlikeness, commitment, partnership, influence and numbers. In particular this will involve focussing our energies on reaching those we don t yet reach particularly the 20s to 40s and people in poverty, on numerical growth and on establishing sustainable giving. So, may the Spirit guide you as prayerfully you consider whether to apply for this post. +John Selby Page 4 of 13
THE ROLE OF PIONEER EVANGELIST OF SELBY CENTRE OF MISSION Selby is a small market town of around 20,000 people in the Vale of York. In many ways it is a town of two halves: people have above average incomes over-all, but with two 'council' estates with reasonably high levels of deprivation, especially for North Yorkshire. With the decline of local industries and the coal mines, it serves to a large extent as a dormitory town for Leeds (20 miles to the West) and York (15 miles to the North). Demographically it is almost entirely white, with a significant minority of Polish people. Flaxley Road estate is home to around 3000 people, and is made up of a mixture of housing, much of it social housing, built at different periods through the 20 th Century. Most are traditional working class people. It is area of social need, being one of the three most deprived estates in North Yorkshire. A walk through the estate would not show much deprivation: crime is generally low. But people can lack the ability to keep good relationships, can lack parenting and money skills - Selby has some of the highest debt for a small town in the UK. Unemployment is fairly high, educational achievement fairly low, with few well paid jobs. It is in the country's worst 4% for child poverty; over 63% of children live in low-income families. The Indicies of Multiple Deprivation put it in the country's most deprived 20%. It has the highest levels of domestic abuse in North Yorkshire. Yet there is for many a strong sense of community: most people like living here, and are generally very friendly. People seek to make the best of their lives, and may work very hard. Many care deeply for their families. People are spontaneous, often living for the moment. It can feel more like a village than the inner-city. Spiritually it is fairly tough with little obvious openness to God or Christian faith. Edge Community was born out of a vision of members of St James' church, seeking to reach the parish with the gospel and establish a vibrant Christian community here. Outreach began in 2006 with the appointment of Capt Richard Cooke CA, and Edge Community began in 2009, growing slowly in number and in regularity of meeting. See www.edgecommunity.org.uk Page 5 of 13
Edge Community is... Open and inclusive; hospitable: not condemning. Strongly family in its feel. Outward looking, outward reaching. Authentic: not churchy ; relaxed, informal, creative. All-age. Learning, growing. Faithful, fruitful. Committed at its core. Free of sacred cows : willing to change and adapt to grow. A respecter of time: patient with people s speed of spiritual growth. Valuing and encouraging of everyone s contribution. Unified. Edge Community most values Our ongoing witness and relationships in the community Individuals growing in faith & relationship Connect! Informal Sunday worship. Messy Church. Cell Primary school: JAFFA after school club, assemblies Youth: the Bus Stop partnership; youth mission; exploring church; discipleship Occasional discipleship small groups Practical and Pastoral support Dreams for Edge Community To reach higher: A more prayerful community; more spontaneous Exercising gifts of the Spirit To reach deeper: More a community of disciples people moving from explorers of faith Deepening the ministry to women Community members more involved in leading activities and worship To reach wider: Establishing a Community Hub: a place of welcome and practical support - visible presence and space Helping people more practically Page 6 of 13
JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Location: Pioneer Evangelist of Selby Centre of Mission Parish of St James' Selby, particularly the Flaxley Rd estate Responsible To: Lead Evangelist Selby CoM and Vicar of St James' Purpose: Objectives: To contribute widely to the mission and community life of Edge Community, sharing faith, making disciples and helping others to share in God s mission. 1. To work alongside the Edge Community Leader, local Christians and others to build the Kingdom of God in the Flaxley Road community. 2. To work with the Edge Community leader and Core Team in creating a vibrant and sustainable Christian community appropriate to the context. 3. To implement the DARE strategy within the diocese through the Selby Centre of Mission. 4. To prosper the work and witness of the Church Army Mission Community. Page 7 of 13
KEY TASKS: 1. To work alongside the Edge Community Leader, local Christians and others to build the Kingdom of God in the Flaxley Road community. 1.1 With children: lead and develop the ministry to children and families. 1.2 With teenagers: help young people come to a lively Christian faith and develop appropriate forms of church 1.3 With women: make disciples through one-to-one relating and in small groups 1.4 With Christians: encourage and equip Christians to share in God s work on the estate 2. To work with the Edge Community leader and Core Team in creating a vibrant and sustainable Christian community appropriate to the context. 2.1 Work with the Edge Community Leader and Team to grow the existing fresh expression of church in four dimensions (up, in, out and of), that it may become ever more relevant to the lives of local people. 2.2 Explore and implement ways of deepening discipleship and prayer amongst Christians and drawing others into a life changing faith and practice 2.3 Explore how other forms of mission, service and Christian community might reach different groups within the Flaxley Road estate. 3. To implement the DARE strategy within the diocese through the Selby Centre of Mission (half a day to one day per week). 3.1. Liaise with the staff within the diocese about how the Centre of Mission can be used as a resource for evangelism across the local area. 3.2. Through advocacy, resourcing and enabling, support churches in Selby Deanery to fulfil their call to mission 3.3. Identify and gather those in the area who are gifted at evangelism, and together with them seek out and develop suitable evangelistic opportunities. 4. To prosper the work and witness of the Church Army Mission Community. 4.1. Fundraise for Church Army through the Evangelist Support Scheme with a negotiated target. 4.2. Publish at least three prayer letters per year, telling the story of the ministry in an appropriate way 4.3. In negotiation with Church Army, to visit other churches and invite their prayerful and financial support 4.4. Inform Church Army, York Diocese and others who share an interest in evangelism of what can be learnt from the experience of mission in Selby Centre of Mission. Page 8 of 13
General: 1. To undertake other duties as outlined by the line manager which are commensurate with the post. 2. To be conversant with and work within the procedures and practices of Church Army (including policies within the Staff Handbook). 3. To take an active part in the life of the Church Army Community, attending gatherings and events as appropriate. 4. To attend meetings for the Selby Centre of Mission; regular one to ones with your line manager; and an annual appraisal, as well as any Diocesan meetings as appropriate. 5. To take advantage of training courses offered or approved by Church Army or the line manager. 6. To undertake and regularly update assessments of the risks associated with the project, and to take steps to manage and reduce the risk. 7. To comply with all current safeguarding legislation, Safer Ministry policy and such Diocesan Regulations as may be appropriate to the same. 8. To Act in the best interests of Church Army and the Centre of Mission at all times. Page 9 of 13
PERSON SPECIFICATION The following sets out what we are looking for in the post holder. As you apply for the post and submit your application, please make sure you evidence with good clear examples how you meet the criteria below. Experience, knowledge and qualifications ESSENTIAL A Church Army commission, or a willingness to explore membership of Church Army and appropriate training. Experience as an evangelist, with a track record of helping people find faith. Experience of responding to the spiritual needs of unchurched people, and nurturing them in their growth as Christians. Experience of having identified and nurtured the gift of evangelism in other Christians. DESIRABLE Experience of having pioneered a Christian group among profoundly unchurched people. Understanding and experience of developing fresh expressions of church A track record of engagement with unchurched people in areas of social housing. Experience of fundraising for personal support / Church Army. Understanding of what is needed to pioneer a Christian group among profoundly unchurched people. Skills and abilities Ability to speak naturally, confidently and from personal experience about the enrichment that Christian faith brings to everyday life. Inspiring presentational skills. Ability to manage self and time and sustain oneself for the long term. Ability to follow, lead, work as a team member and work alone. Ability to enthuse and lead others in mission and evangelism. Basic IT and media skills. Page 10 of 13
Attributes A burning desire to see people come to a living faith in Jesus Christ. Access to own transport. A commitment to living the mission of Jesus through a thoughtful and committed Christian faith. An active and infectious prayer life. A heart for broken and dispossessed: willing and able to live alongside pain. Willingness to work flexible hours in order to fulfil the requirements of the role. The successful candidate will need to be in agreement with the vision and values of Church Army. Page 11 of 13
OUTLINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS Salary 22,815 per annum Contract type Open ended, with a triennial review of the CoM Location Flaxley Rd estate, Selby Hours 37.5 hours a week (including evening and weekends) Pension If a Church Army commissioned evanglist, non-contributory, operated by the Church of England Pensions Board. If not Church Army commissioned then the employee will be assessed under autoenrollment pension legislation and if eligible, minimum contributions will be made. Annual Leave 25 days per year plus bank holidays (33 days in total) DBS An enhanced DBS check required and compliance with Church Army s Safer Ministry policy. Occupational Requirement This post is subject to an Occupational Requirement under the provisions made in the Equality Act 2010 that the post holder has an active faith in Jesus. The successful candidate must be in agreement with the vision and values of Church Army. Housing House will be rented that reflects the needs of the Pioneer and his/ her family Probation Six months Employer Church Army Page 12 of 13
APPLICATION PROCESS To apply, please submit an application form which is available to download from the top of Church Army s vacancy page. Applications should be sent to: recruitment@churcharmy.org Deadline: Midday on Friday 11th May 2018 Interview date: Monday 21st May, with an introductory tour of the area and meetings with key stakeholders on that day. For more information about Church Army please visit: www.churcharmy.org If you would like to discuss the role more please speak to: Richard Cooke, Lead Evangelist for Selby COM and Regional Development Officer for the North on: richard.cooke@churcharmy.org or by phone on 0797 3978 456 Offers of employment are made subject to: Evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK; An enhanced DBS check; Two satisfactory references one faith based and one employment based; Agreement by Archbishop of York to give a license to minister; Successful completion of a six-month probationary period. Page 13 of 13