The Responsibilities of the role

In the rapidly changing society we live in, we want to see young people encouraged, equipped, and empowered to be proactive participants and leaders in a society that responds to God’s invitation to be a blessing to those around us, enriching and growing a fuller sense of community and cohesion in this part of Nottingham. We want to see young people having fun together, discovering their gifts together and pursuing the prompts of God in their lives together.

We are looking for someone to join us and take us forward as we seek to:

• Reach and disciple more youth in our midst and in our wider communities as above
• Raise up and release ever stronger teams to invest time, love and wisdom into our youth for the above
• Relating better with local schools and other organisations that seek to invest in youth with the above always in mind

This Youth Pastor role is new and predominantly aims at ministering to the youth who already gather with us regularly, not all of whom would currently profess faith. The main expectations of the role are broadly as follows:

• 3 hrs weekly focussed on preparing for leading at either Sunday Pathfinders or Thursday C3Y gatherings; including investing in and empowering the youth to serve and lead in those contexts, nurturing an attitude of service and gifts of leadership in them.
• 2 hrs weekly given for actually serving in or leading Sunday Pathfinders or Thursday C3Y.
• 2 hrs weekly given to helping and developing The Shelter on Thursday afternoons.
• 4 hrs weekly liaising with current leaders, making rotas, filling training needs, recruiting and onboarding volunteers, organising a termly timetable of Youth gatherings, events and socials, communicating with parents and young people about youth events through email and social media, including liaising with local churches and youth ministry contacts to link up over events.
• 1 hr weekly accessing youth ministry training from the Diocese and elsewhere, completing a Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Course.
• Attending staff prayer and worship if/when possible (Tuesdays 9-10am) and staff meetings (Mondays 1-3pm) if/when relevant.

There may be some flexibility with aspects of the role to allow for students to apply.

The Person for the role

Faith and Character

• A well-nurtured, warm-hearted, personal faith in Jesus Christ in accord with the core values of Christ Church and St Barnabas, committed to growing in spiritual maturity and Christlikeness, and fostering a similar commitment in those around them.
• Eager to connect with young people who have little or no knowledge of the Christian faith that they might hear and respond to the Gospel, grow in faith and in fellowship in fun ways, and become active followers of Jesus who serve and bless those around them.
• Passionate about helping the church to grow wider, younger and deeper, in accord with the vision of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.
• A willingness to balance both being a leader and a servant, recognising one’s own gifts and others’ gifts and encouraging all to use them appropriately.
• A self-starter with a positive ‘can-do’ attitude.
• A team player – at Christ Church and St Barnabas, a team player is: (i) humble and ready to be open, accountable and vulnerable with colleagues; (ii) hungry for realising our shared vision as a team, and hungry to grow (and help those around us grow) in spiritual and personal maturity; (iii) smart in the way we engage with, challenge, enthuse and encourage those we lead and work with. As a team we are engaging with The Five Voices of leadership (freely available atgiant.tv/ascend) to understand ourselves and each other better and grow in maturity as leaders.

Experience

• Leadership and management of other leaders (staff and/or volunteer leaders)
• Working with young people, including those outside the church with little or no understanding of the Christian faith

Knowledge

• A high-level understanding of safeguarding policies and practices and a clear picture of what a safe, trustworthy environment would look like for young people
• An evidenced grasp of Christian theology, ministry and leadership at a level suitable for this role, and an aptitude and thirst for growing in knowledge and understanding

Skills

• Able to connect and communicate well with a diverse range of people, including community agencies
• Able to teach the Bible clearly, relevantly and faithfully
• Approachable and able to excite, inspire and challenge young people appropriately
• Able to reflect creatively on practice and adapt accordingly.

The Specifics of the role

Contract:Part time, 12 hours per week including Sundays.

Location:The primary location of the role will be at Christ Church, Chilwell.

Remuneration:Salary is £7,560 pro rata, based on an annual salary of £25,200 for full-time employment (40 hours per week).

Responsible to:Rev'd Andy Tufnell, the Vicar, as the line line-manager

Key relationships:Members of staff team, leaders of other children’s and youth ministries, Church Wardens

Line manager for:Volunteers and teams engaged in ministries to youth in Years 7-9.

Employed by:Chilwell PCC

How we will support you

We have an incredibly giving staff team, wardens and PCC, offering regular encouragement and support by informal means as well as through more formal processes. A deeper sense of generosity and collaboration has been enhanced as the church has risen to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and you can expect great interest and care to be taken in your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing as you face the inevitable pressures of ministry. You, and any family that comes with you, will be given time to settle in and feel part of our community in your own right, not simply as a leader and minister.

You will be offered informal and/or formal training, depending on your availability and course availability, to support your continued personal and professional development as both a learner and a leader.

Whilst working some evenings in the week and on some Saturdays will be expected, we will want to see that you are investing well in the relationships that matter most, and that you are sustaining good health and wellbeing for yourself and any family that comes with you.

It is very easy in full time ministry to get over-absorbed in serving. As such, we will actively encourage you to take your full allowance of annual leave – 13 days pro rata, based on 41 days of annual leave for full time; this is inclusive of bank holidays. It is expected that you would be involved a minimum of 2 Sundays per month with Sunday Pathfinders. It is important that you are able to be called upon on Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The staff meet regularly in our open plan office at Christ Church to encourage and pray for one another regularly. We will want to support you prayerfully every bit as much as we support you practically and professionally. You would not be expected to attend staff meetings, but will have a standing invitation to do so. The evolving priorities of your role will be explored regularly with your line manager, who would formally meet with you fortnightly.

It is important to us that you are able to receive in worship as well as give/lead in worship. It is also important to us that, if you come with family, you are able to worship with them too. So, we will encourage you to attend, whenever possible, one service amongst us each week where you do not have a particular role to play up front and where you may worship freely.

We want to care well for your long-term future, so your salary will be made in monthly instalments with contributions to the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme paid automatically, unless otherwise instructed.

How to apply

Enquiries via the Vicar:andytufnell@ccchilwell.org.uk,07410 541354

Applications Emailed to:office@ccchilwell.org.uk

Please include your CV and a personal statement outlining: why you are interested in the role, what you might bring to the role, and how else you might input into the worshipping and witnessing life of the church.

Closing Date:30^thApril

Shortlisting:1^st-5^thMay

Interview Dates:By arrangement, before 25^thMay

Start Date:By negotiation, as soon as possible