Brampton Bierlow Christ Church in the Mission Partnership of Wath, Wombwell and Brampton Bierlow
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Brampton Bierlow Christ Church In the Mission Partnership of Wath, Wombwell and Brampton Bierlow Releasing the Whole People of God for the Whole Mission of God If you have a passion for Setting God’s People Free, then perhaps the Lord is calling you to be the interim priest in charge at Christ Church, Brampton Bierlow. Here in the Diocese of Sheffield, we are currently re-configuring stipendiary incumbency, as the priestly ministry of enabling every member of the people of God to enter the full dignity of their baptism, by playing a full part in the service of God in the whole of life. This ministry is therefore one of nurturing, developing and fostering the gifts and especially the leadership potential of others — it is a ministry of experimentation and risk-taking, of pioneering, and of sharing in the responsibility of the Bishop for the oversight of the body of Christ ‘delighting in its beauty and rejoicing in its wellbeing’. In the Dearne Valley we have a once in a generation opportunity, through a successful Strategic Development Funding bid, to invest in the future of the church as we seek to ‘transform our society and God’s world’. The post of priest of Christ Church, Brampton Bierlow is integral to this challenge and opportunity. We are, therefore, seeking to appoint an able and resourceful priest whose heart will lift at the invitation to support this congregation, and the Mission Partnership generally, through a transition to a greater degree of every-member confidence and competence, so that the whole people of God are released (in the name of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit) for the whole mission of God in that locality. Is the Lord calling you to join us? With every blessing The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox Bishop of Sheffield Role Description Details of Post Role Title: Interim Priest-in-Charge (three years, full-time, SDF funded) Name of Benefice: Christ Church, Brampton Bierlow Deanery: Wath Archdeaconry: Doncaster This innovative and exciting post is central to a Strategic Development-Funded “Resourcing Church” initiative. The post will be time-limited under Interim Ministry legislation for a maximum period of three years. The stipend will be funded by means of a Strategic Development Grant from the Church Commissioners, paid as a monthly stipend to the role- holder via the Sheffield Diocese. A “Resourcing Church” grant is enabling a Mission Partnership of the three adjacent parishes of Wath, Wombwell and Brampton Bierlow to assemble a core team of five key workers. This is in addition to two incumbents (already recruited) and one Interim Priest (for Brampton Bierlow). The Resourcing Mission Partnership is led by the Vicar of All Saints’, Wath, whose vicar is also patron of Christ Church Brampton Bierlow. All three parishes are traditionally of “low central” Anglican style. Wath and Wombwell currently have incumbents in the evangelical tradition and it would be vital that the Interim Priest of Brampton Bierlow is sympathetic towards this position. The aim of the (six year) project is to establish a network of newly planted missional communities in the area, nurtured and resourced by the funded posts deployed across the three partner parishes. The Diocese is particularly looking to develop “fresh expressions” of Church among the communities connected with the C. of E. primary school connected to each of the parishes. It is also believed that this outward focus will also enrich and grow “inherited church” in each of the three parishes. 1 Role Purpose (applicable to all incumbency posts in the Diocese) 1. To exercise the cure of souls in collaboration with the bishop. 2. “To grow Christ-like, lively and diverse Christian communities in this place which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and God's world” (Diocesan Vision Statement). 3. To represent the Church of England in the wider community. 4. To support, encourage and resource colleagues in the deanery and diocese, as together we seek to realise our diocesan vision and engage with the emerging Diocesan Growth Strategy. General Responsibilities (applicable to all incumbency posts in the Diocese) 1. To fulfil the responsibilities of clergy as described in the Canons, the Ordinal, the Guidelines for the Professional Conduct of the Clergy, and other relevant legislation. 2. To watch over yourself, maintaining spiritual, physical and family well-being. 3. To ensure that a high standard of worship, preaching and pastoral care is offered. 4. To work with the PCC in developing and monitoring Mission Action Plans in liaison with the Diocesan Parish Support Team. 5. To develop the ministry of the laity such that all are using their gifts for the common good and to develop a ministry team; commitment to the Setting God’s People Free agenda of the Church of England. 6. To offer the gospel in a lively and engaging way to those who are outside the church. 7. To offer a way for people to explore the Christian gospel for the first time leading to baptism and confirmation. 8. To offer clear pathways for young Christians to grow to maturity as Christian disciples. 9. To lead the church in responding to human need by loving service. 10. To support diocesan, national and international initiatives that address structural injustice. 11. To seek to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth. 12. To encourage Christian stewardship of people’s time, money and abilities. 13. To collaborate with Churchwardens and others to ensure the church building(s) serve the church’s wider mission in the community. 14. To seek ecumenical cooperation wherever appropriate and possible. 15. To prioritise attending Deanery Chapter and Synod, to collaborate with the deanery in mission and ministry and deanery planning. 16. To ensure full compliance at all times with the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy. 17. To promote a mixed economy of new and inherited expressions of mission and ministry. 18. To seek professional development through Leading Well, Continuing Ministerial Development and diocesan events that aim to inspire and equip lay and ordained leaders. 2 Specific Responsibilities (relating to this post in particular) This interim post carries the following core priorities particular to the Brampton Bierlow situation at this time:- (a) Approximately 50% of Role – INHERITED MODE Priest in Charge duties in a developing and fluid situation I. As Parish Priest, to exercise wise overall pastoral leadership of the “inherited” church congregation that will enable the parish to build on its commitment to united endeavour following the previous incumbent’s illness and premature departure. II. To encourage the growth and development of the parish Messy Church leadership and congregation, who have seen very encouraging results in reaching young families new to Church. III. To maintain the strong links forged by the previous Vicar with the C of E Primary School (as well as other schools in the parish as opportunities allow). IV. Importantly: To work with the Vicar of Wath in leading the two parishes into a Pastoral Scheme, uniting Brampton and Wath into a single entity; and discerning the best use, within the new arrangements, of Christ Church building and the Church Hall (half a mile from Christ Church). (b) Approximately 50% of Role – CHURCH PLANTING MODE Helping to build a “Resourcing Church” by leading in raising up and training new leaders of small groups and informal expressions of Church: I. Working with leaders of the three partner parishes to identify, recruit, train, deploy and support new leaders for newly-forming missional communities. II. Monitoring the progress of lay leaders, providing mentoring, support and on-going training. III. Keeping to the fore of strategic planning the reality that these lay-led congregations must achieve high levels of self-sustainability during the six years of Strategic Development Funding. Key colleagues within the church (local, deanery, diocese and ecumenical) • The Bishop of Sheffield and the Bishop of Doncaster • The Archdeacon of Doncaster • The Mission Partnership Incumbents of Wombwell and Wath • The Area Dean and Lay Chair of the Deanery • The SDF Project Manager (Alex Shilkoff) • Rev John Marsh, Mission Development Adviser for SDF churches • Canon Mark Wigglesworth, Archdeaconry Mission Development Adviser • The Clergy Chapter, Deanery Synod and Diocesan Synod together with church related groups • The Parish and Mission Partnership Church Wardens • The PCC and its elected/appointed officers • The Mission Partnership Steering Group Key partners in the wider community (individuals and organisations) • The Head Teacher and Staff of Brampton ‘The Ellis’ C of E Aided Primary School and other local schools • The Member of Parliament • Local Councillors 3 • Local community action groups Statement by the Archdeacon on behalf of the Bishops and the Diocese: Brampton Bierlow was at the heart of the unrest associated with the demise of local coal mining in the 1980s. The memory of once being a coal mining community still informs this close-knit parish, although historic resentment at the loss of livelihoods once provided by the pit has diminished as new working patterns have emerged, new residents have moved in, and a post-mining generation has grown up. Even though Sunday attendance in the parish is currently weak, the Church is still felt by many to be at the heart of local life, is seen as having the potential for considerable growth. We believe that “inherited Church” can still thrive here, as well as the emergence of new church communities. The vision of the Diocese is to enable key “Resourcing Churches” to plant new groups of disciples, and enable/equip other local parishes to do the same. The strong Messy Church associated with Christ Church, together with the large number of baptism enquiries and the links with the Church School, justifies expectations of new expressions of Church springing up.