Do you see ministry as clergy and laity, working together in the service of God, bringing together their distinctive yet complementary gifts? Could God be calling you to be the Rector of this thriving single parish benefice?

We serve the growing south Lincolnshire town of Market Deeping (pop. ~6,600), located 9 miles north of Peterborough. If you feel this post could be for you, we would love to hear from you as we seek someone to lead our church and its active Ministry Team of 2 licensed readers and 2 readers emeritus.

Our Calling

As a church, we recognise that God is calling us to grow in vitality and strength by developing in two key respects.

Transforming the Community: to be more active and effective in making the community a better place for all, and especially the under-privileged.

Transforming People: to be more confident and effective as disciples of Christ in helping others, from all backgrounds, to come to, and then grow in, faith.

You can contact us with any questions you may have by calling Kate Brown (PCC Lay Vice Chair) on 01778 343981 or emailing kabstg@btinternet.com

The Ven. Dr Justine Allain Chapman, Archdeacon of Boston, will also be pleased to speak with you (01522 504039; archdeacon.boston@lincoln.anglican.org ).

We see this opening could be of equal interest both to someone seeking a first incumbency with the opportunity for ministerial growth and development, and to someone with parochial ministry experience looking for a place where they will be made welcome and able to draw on that prior experience. Between them, our last 2 rectors are examples of both those types. It happens that they both felt it right to be our rector for a relatively long period (coincidentally 15 years each). Our parish was delighted to have such long incumbencies and we take it as an indication that our rectors feel that this is a place where they are very much at home, part of the community and have the opportunity, encouragement and support to thrive in their ministry.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Is a person of holiness and prayer, who loves to help others grow in spirituality and discipleship
• Is an inspiring, biblically-based preacher and teacher who engages well with people across all ages, backgrounds and persuasions.
• Is great with children, youth and young families, and enjoys working with schools.
• Is highly effective in leading people into the presence of God through a range of worship styles, including traditional, and appreciates the role of music in enhancing worship.
• Is diligent in ensuring pastoral needs are suitably met.
• Is astute in recognising others’ gifts, and supports, equips and empowers them to share in the work of the church.
• Will engender a spirit of equal partnership in mission and encourage teamwork.
• Will network well across the local community and embrace opportunities to further the mission of the church.
• In handling change, recognises potential concerns and addresses them sensitively.

For more information about this application process, please use this link

Our Church

We are:

• welcoming, and seek to be inviting, engaging with all,
• caring, and seek to also be life-transforming,
• family-friendly, and seek to spiritually nourish all,
• choral Eucharist-centred, and seek to add more variety of worship to God,
• collaborative, and seek to empower and engage all as disciples of Jesus.

What we have to offer

• A commitment to support our new rector in prayer and practical action.
• A strong, diverse, church membership, with the skills, potential and commitment necessary to support our vision.
• A desire to grow and develop.
• A culture of collaborative working.
• A Ministry Team sharing worship and teaching.
• A choir which assists ministers through a supportive atmosphere and musical lead that enhance worship.
• An accomplished Director of Music.
• A proven ability both to fulfil our ongoing financial obligations through active stewardship and to raise money for special projects.
• Established PCC working groups which carry the work of the church forward in key areas.
• Lay members with strong skills in finance, fabric maintenance, communications, IT and social event organisation.
• A paid parish administrator.
• A highly supportive local community that, like the church, is both welcoming and friendly.
• A newly refurbished modern rectory set in ¾ acre, with support from the PCC in maintaining the surrounding hedges which provide privacy.
• Payment of all parish expenses, and commitment to time off for an annual retreat.
• Support from an active clergy chapter.

The parish is part of the deanery of Elloe West, one of 7 deaneries of the Archdeaconry of Boston in the south of the Diocese. The deanery comprises 19 parishes in 11 benefices stretching between Market Deeping in the south west and Quadring in the northeast, a distance of around 21 miles.

Follow the links below to find out more about us

www.stguthlacs.org.uk

www.facebook.com/stguthlacsmarketdeeping/

www.lincoln.anglican.org

Closing date: Friday24th May 2019

Parish Visit: Friday 14th June 2019

Interviews: Edward King House, Monday 17th June 2019