BE THE TRAILBLAZER ACTIVATE CHANGE STRENGTHEN LIVES Lead Evangelist BUILD COMMUNITIES EMBRACE THE CHALLENGES BE THE HELPING HAND MIDDLESBOROUGH CENTRE OF MISSION FAITH TAKING ACTION

PURPOSEFUL ACTION REAL PEOPLE

REAL FAITH Application Pack RISK TAKERS

FROM THE CEO

Thank you so much for your interest in working with Church Army and our Centre of Mission.

Church Army is an exciting organisation to be part of and we want anyone who is passionate about unlocking potential in people's lives; embracing the difficult; activating change; and impacting communities across these islands, to join us.

The work of Church Army is diverse and growing, we currently have 22 Centre of Mission working in partnership with Dioceses in tough places to bring change to communities and we hope to see 50 Centres of Mission by 2027. 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. We also run the Amber Project in Cardiff which helps over 100 young people each year who battle self-harm.

In 2018, our staff survey results were hugely encouraging and confirmed that we are the employer we strive to be with 90% of our staff saying that they are proud to work for us; 96% are proud to do the job that they do; 86% believe we care for their wellbeing; and 92% they understand how their role fits into the overall vision of Church Army. We are so proud of our staff team and all that they do to make things happen. We want people to feel valued in what they do and know that what they do makes a differenc e.

Above all Church Army is committed to helping people know their lives matter, because God thinks they are fantastic. Whether you believe that for yourself or not, if you share our passion: to see communities and lives transformed then we want you to be able to join our team. I am delighted that you are interested in being part of the Middlesbrough Centre of Mission. The team there will compromise of two evangelists, who will look to evangelise one of the most socially deprived communities in the country and re-establish one or more worshipping communities.

I hope as you read through this job pack and understand more about who we are and who we are looking for, you will be inspired to apply and want to join a fantastic, committed, energetic team, who are delivering real change.

Mark Russell CEO

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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 – God loves everyone and everyone is significant in his eyes; we will serve anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, sexuality, faith, ability, status or circumstances.

See our We are Church Army video here

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FROM THE BISHOP OF WHITBY

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in this post and for looking at our information pack. This story begins when the Archbishop and the Diocese of York’s leadership team took a step back from day-to-day ministry tasks, and we asked ourselves, ‘Who isn’t being reached with the Gospel in our communities, and what needs to be different in that’s to change?’ We identified two sectors of our population where contact and engagement with the Church of England is realtively thin: younger adults, and people living amid multiple deprivation. We held a consultation across the Diocese, and a strong theme was that whilst we all value traditional, ‘inherited’ patterns of ministry and church life – much of which is being carried out faithfully and imaginatively – there has to be a new approach alongside them. We agreed on our three goals of reach, grow, sustain. Out of that has come a strategy to deploy a bigger variety of approaches to ministry and evangelism that we hope and pray will truly be Good News. As you’ll see from the following pages, the invitation to Church Army to work with us in the Middlesbrough estates of Brambles Farm and is a key element of this, with a new post focusing on people in the 20s – 40s age group, and leading to the growth of new worshipping communities. This is an exciting opportunity, offering scope of a minister with the gifts of innovation and encouragement. The people on these estates have had long experience of ‘being done to’, even when that has been well-meaning; and so, for this ministry to be effective, it will be vital to have purposefulness blended with patience, and the ability to lead blended with commitment to seeing residents developing in confidence and independence. I hope that you will be ready to explore this post with us, if that is where God may be leading you.

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ROLE OF LEAD EVANGELIST

Middlesbrough Centre of Mission is a new partnership between Church Army and York Diocese to evangelise one of the most socially deprived communities in the country, and re-establish one or more worshipping communities. Two Evangelists will be appointed to work as a team alongside the vicar and local laity. York Diocesan Strategy The Diocese of York has set the goal of ‘Reaching Those We Currently Don’t’ and one clearly identified group is those in their 20s – 40s. This is one of 14 new full time roles, placed strategically around the diocese. Lay Pioneers will be appointed. St Michael le Belfrey, York will become a Resource Church for the diocese.

For more information see www.dioceseofyork.org.uk/reach-grow-sustain

Our Approach to Reaching 20s – 40s Given every context is unique, we are not offering a template of ‘how to reach’ those in their 20s – 40s. However, common to other areas the following elements are likely to be seen:

• A Clear Purpose: The clear intention is to reach those aged 20s – 40s with the view to them becoming disciples of Christ. The Lead Evangelist will make this their focus and resist being drawn into any wider responsibilities. Not relevant to this.

• The Creation of a Plan: For a minimum of 6 months the Lead Evangelist will network and engage with the community relationally and evangelistically, whilst prayerful listening, to understand the context and discern the focus of the ministry and which opportunities should be explored. Clear proposals will then be offered for how 20’s – 40s will be reached and discipled, whilst recognising that God will work in surprising ways. An annual review will occur for honest reflection and the setting of new objectives.

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• The Expectations around Growth: The new disciples will be drawn into fellowship with others. It is most likely that this will be in the establishment of a New Worshipping Community, but it might include incorporation into an existing congregation or the establishment of more than one smaller gathering where discipleship and worship occur.

Based on extensive research it is anticipated that New Worshipping Community/ies (NWC) will grow to around 80 adults and children after 7 years, including the initial team, some transfer growth and new Christians. Experience tells us that over half would not have been attending church prior to joining the NWC.

It is hoped that the all involved in the NWC would be encouraged to see generosity as an aspect of their discipleship and that the parish’s Freewill Offer would increase and move towards covering the ministry costs of the 20s – 40s Minister; again, it is recognised that in more deprived communities the capacity for this will be less.

• Future Planting & the ‘Multiplication of the Small’: It is anticipated that the NWC will reach a point where it is able to plant out a new missional initiative, led either by the 20s – 40s Minister or under lay leadership, or a portfolio of expressions of church will develop. Insights gained will be shared with others and, in time, that the NWC might share resources also; all of which we refer to as ‘Multiplication of the Small’. Evangelists will contribute a ‘tithe’ of their time to others in the deanery and beyond; including contributions to the new diocesan ‘Toolbox’ of resources.

Collegiality, Support & Wider Networks A Steering Group representing all stakeholders will set the direction of the ministry as it seeks to fulfil the diocesan strategy for reaching and discipling 20s – 40s, and the Church Army DARE strategy. It will share in any strategic, legal or significant financial decisions and will meet at least three times a year.

As 20s – 40s Team Leader, Revd John Lee and will provide day to day line management and support the network of 20s – 40s Ministers across the diocese. All Ministers will be committed to this network, attending monthly gatherings and offering mutual support and encouragement to colleagues. Church Army’s Operations team will also provide support, and the Evangelists will take part in the life of the Church Army Missional Community.

It is an essential quality of the Evangelist and Incumbent that they can work collaboratively and that they will be committed to a relationship which will involve a regular pattern of meetings and prayer together.

Each 20-40s Minister will also be offered a mentor / companion who has some experience of similar ministry and will be available to offer their insights and encouragement.

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Key Relationships

• Those in their 20s – 40s living locally • The Incumbent & PCC • The diocesan ‘20s – 40s Team’ and its Leader • The Church Army Regional Development Officer • The Church Army Pioneer Evangelist • The deanery, Suffragan Bishop and Archdeacon • Mentor / Companion • Diocesan Officers and especially those working with Children & Young People • Ecumenical Partners

The Parish of St Thomas the Apostle Brambles Farm and Thorntree Estates, Middlesbrough

No building, no congregation, but God is doing a new thing on the Brambles Farm and Thorntree Estates. In the Autumn 2016 Middlesbrough Deanery ‘Renew and Inspire’ conference, Brambles Farm and Thorntree Estates came out as the top deanery priority for re-evangelisation and church planting. The demographics of the estates places them at the heart of the Diocese of York’s reach priorities of 20-40s and People in Poverty.

St Thomas Church, Brambles Farm building was demolished in 2007. Father Terry Leathley, Vicar of next door St John’s Southbank was appointed 0.5 Incumbent of the parish. Worship continued in different buildings for a period, including at Brambles Primary School, with a few baptisms, and children from year 6 being confirmed. It had all the signs of beginning to grow, but a change in the headteacher had all of this stopped. In 2014, council budget cuts saw the community centre close down, and the last Anglican worship on the estates ended. However, the legacy of St Thomas’ is a positive one on the estates and is associated with many warm memories. Fr Terry has a good network of relationships in the parish through his school and community work and has become a well-known figure round the estate due to his coffee van, "Given with God's love”. This has been positively received by the community, and offers the opportunity for building relationships and pastoral contact. There is real potential for this ministry to be a springboard for further mission and a signpost to opportunities to find out more about faith. Fr Terry’s Coffee Van Fr Terry has good relationships through occasional office and ministers in two primary schools and a Nursing Home. In the last few decades of its life St Thomas’ was a Forward in Faith parish with a tradition of Anglo-Catholic ‘slum priest’ ministry. Fr Terry has his roots in this tradition and there will be a need to respect and work with him in that, whilst he

Page 7 of 15 recognises that a future congregation may take a very different form, and needs to be right for the people and the place.

The Economic Context Middlesbrough is a town of 19th and early 20th century economic migrants built upon the iron and steel and later chemical industry which boomed from 1850 to the 1960’s. Since then Middlesbrough has seen decades of church decline, population decline, loss of industry, increasing levels of unemployment and increasing levels of poverty. 17 out of 19 parishes in Middlesbrough Deanery are in the top 20% most deprived in England, with the highest levels of child poverty in a diocese which also has some of the UK’s lowest poverty rates.

Renewed vision and mission During Lent 2017, people from across the deanery met on the estate each week to pray, and a monthly prayer meeting for Brambles Farm and Thorntree at Thorntree HUB has continued ever since. With renewed vision Fr Terry set aside time to fast and pray and through answered prayer the Coffee Van ministry began. St Thomas’ is working closely with neighbouring parishes as part of the emerging East Middlesbrough Mission Partnership. Thorntree Community Hub

Tommy’s Youth Club, run by Trinity Youth and Children’s Project (part of the ministry of Holy Trinity ), is a weekly youth club for 11 - 14 year olds with up to 50 young people attending. St Cuthbert’s, Ormesby runs a music and memories group fortnightly for people living with dementia and their carers. Their vicar has developed strong links with the women’s hostel on Thorntree estate. Thorntree Hub and Caldicotes Primary Academy have been part of Feast of Fun, providing activities and healthy food for low income families, a project organised by Together Middlesbrough and Cleveland.

All of this missional activity ensures that the love of God is shared in a variety of practical ways and is laying firm foundations for renewed mission and evangelism.

Ecumenical and Interfaith The only other Church with a significant presence on the estate is the imposing Corpus Christi RC Church, with a few Non-Anglican churches on neighbouring estates, most of which are at a low ebb. The Salvation Army, which calls itself ‘TS3 Church’, has a citadel near Brambles Farm.

"I pray for revival every day." Andrew, Police Sergeant

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Lead Evangelist, Middlesbrough Centre of Mission Location: St Thomas’ Middlesbrough: Brambles Farm & Thorntree Estates

Responsible To: Centre of Mission Steering Group and local line manager

Relating To: Pioneer Evangelist, Middlesbrough Centre of Mission

To share the good news of Jesus with people of Brambles Purpose: Farm & Thorntree in their 20s to 40s, making disciples and building appropriate Christian communities; to assist other churches locally in their mission to 20s to 40s. Objectives: 1. To reach those in their 20s – 40s, sharing Christian

faith in word, action and presence 2. To pioneer, innovate, and establish New Worshipping Communitie(s) appropriate to the context; so that within 7 years these include 80 adults and children 3. To line manage the Pioneer Evangelist and build a team who will share in the task and calling to reach 20s – 40s 4. To offer encouragement, as part of the DARE strategy, to other churches especially, but not exclusively, in the deanery as they seek to reach 20s – 40s 5. To enable future planting out from the New Worshiping Community in a manner appropriate to the context 6. To prosper the work and witness of the Church Army Mission Community.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS: 1. To reach those in their 20s – 40s, sharing Christian faith in word, action and presence 1.1. Engage in a “listening and discernment” process to identify the most effective way to begin reaching those in their 20s – 40s, and continue prayerfully developing strategies for the ongoing growth of the Centre of Mission 1.2. Build life-enhancing relationships with people 1.3. Express the Gospel through actions and words, so allowing people to discover an experience of belonging, to consider the call of Christ upon their lives and to learn to become disciples of Christ

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1.4. Partner with other agencies where appropriate for the positive transformation of the local community. 1.5. Create and develop small discipleship groups and one-to-one relationships to deepen the Christian understanding and life of new believers. 1.6. Encourage a culture of personal discipleship 1.7. Establish financial generosity as a mark of discipleship

2. To pioneer, innovate, and establish New Worshipping Communitie(s) appropriate to the context; so that within 7 years these include 80 adults and children 2.1 Identify how to approach gathering those who are reached into a Christian Community, providing an outline of the proposed approach after 6 months 2.2 Gather those being reached into a new worshipping community of St Thomas within the extended structures of the CofE 2.3 Develop a culture of giving, raise funds as appropriate and work towards financial sustainability of the ministry. 2.4 Ensure that those being reached and gathered have a ‘DNA’ for reaching others so that planting a new congregation or smaller gatherings as appropriate, and sharing significant resources within 5 - 7 years is a natural outcome

3. To line manage the Pioneer Evangelist and build a team who will share in the task and calling to reach 20s – 40s 3.1 Oversee the work of the Pioneer Evangelist and volunteers or team members and delegate responsibility as appropriate 3.2 Grow a team of mature Christians with right support and accountability to share in the ministry of the Centre of Mission who will serve the community 3.3 With others, develop a life of prayer for the work of the Centre of Mission 3.4 Encourage new Christians to share in Christ’s mission locally and proactively share their faith with others

4. To offer encouragement, as part of the DARE strategy, to other churches especially, but not exclusively, in the deanery as they seek to reach 20s–40s 4.1 Work alongside other churches to share insights and encouragement as they seek to reach 20s – 40s 4.2 Establish healthy and collaborative relationships with colleagues in the local parish, the Deanery and the wider diocese and network of those reaching 20s – 40s 4.3 Contribute towards the diocesan ‘Toolbox of Resources’ to equip other churches, advocating, resourcing and enabling evangelism

5. To enable future planting out from the New Worshiping Community in a manner appropriate to the context 5.1 Establish a core value of reproduction in the DNA of the New Worshipping Community 5.2 Develop a ‘portfolio’ approach to growing church, exploring how church can best happen with different groups

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5.3 Work to multiply the New Worshipping Community whether by division or the addition of further worshipping communities.

6. To prosper the work and witness of the Church Army Mission Community. 6.1 Fundraise for Church Army through the Evangelist Support Scheme with a negotiated target. 6.2 Publish at least three prayer letters per year, telling the story of the ministry in an appropriate way 6.3 In negotiation with Church Army, to visit other churches and invite their prayerful and financial support 6.4 Inform Church Army, York Diocese and others who share an interest in evangelism of what can be learnt from the experience of mission in Middlesbrough Centre of Mission.

General: • To undertake other duties as outlined by the line manager which are commensurate with the post.

• To be conversant with and work within the procedures and practices of Church Army (including policies within the Staff Handbook).

• To take an active part in the life of the Church Army Mission Community, either as a Commissioned Evangelist, or as someone progressing toward Commission, or as an evangelist who has trained elsewhere and wants to join the community as a Covenanted Evangelist.

• To attend meetings for the Middlesbrough Centre of Mission; regular one to ones with your line manager; the 20s – 40s Cohort of Ministers plus diocesan and deanery meetings as appropriate.

• To complete an annual appraisal with your line manager.

• To take advantage of training courses offered or approved by Church Army or the line manager.

• To undertake and regularly update assessments of the risks associated with the project, and to take steps to manage and reduce the risk.

• To comply with all current safeguarding legislation, Safer Ministry policy and such Diocesan Regulations as may be appropriate to the same.

• To Act in the best interests of Church Army and the Centre of Mission at all times.

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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.

ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

Experience, knowledge, qualifications and understanding

• Application Form Training in mission to a nationally recognised A demonstrable ability to • Interview & Selection standard (such as Church evangelise and Process Army commission, a lay communicate the faith • Pre-employment checks training scheme, or effectively to those (e.g. references) Ordained Pioneer outside the church Ministry)

A person of prayer, Experience of having robust spirituality and pioneered Christian self-discipline with the community among personal resources to profoundly unchurched sustain a pioneering people. ministry

Strong desire to reach A demonstrable track those in their 20s – 40s, record of innovation in and where appropriate their life and a their children, and see commitment to pioneer them become disciples of Christ

A proven ability in A proven ability in relating to 20s – 40s growing and developing a outside of the church, sense of community and taking initiative, having belonging & making and imagination and being nurturing disciples prepared to work 'outside the box'

Commitment to a Evidence of an process of ‘listening and intentional approach to discerning’ and the turning reflection into valuing of context action

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Collaborative approach to relationships and Well-developed abilities ministry, both within the to handle complexity and parish and across the initiate change deanery and wider diocese

Commitment to a ‘mixed economy’ approach to Experience of working mission and a deep and / or living on outer respect for parish estates ministry within the Church of England

Skills and abilities

Ability to speak • Application Form naturally, confidently • Interview & Selection and from personal Ability to enthuse and Process experience about the lead volunteers. • Pre-employment checks enrichment that (e.g. references) Christian faith brings to everyday life

Good IT and media skills

Other

A commitment to living A burning desire to see the mission of Jesus people come to a living through a thoughtful and faith in Jesus Christ committed Christian faith

Willingness to work with Willingness to work those of different flexible hours in order to Christian traditions to fulfil the requirements further the mission of of the role God

Own transport or workable alternative

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OUTLINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

St Thomas’ Middlesbrough: Brambles Farm & Thorntree Location Estates Salary £22,815 per annum

Hours 37.5 hours per week

Working Pattern Working pattern will include evening and weekend work.

Pension If a Church Army commissioned evangelist, 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, plus public bank holidays (33 days in total)

Probation Period Six months

Contract Type Open-ended, funding to be anticipated for 5 years

An enhanced DBS check required and compliance with DBS Requirement Church Army’s Safer Ministry policy.

This post is subject to an Occupational Requirement under the provisions made in the Equality Act 2010 that the post Occupational holder has an active faith in Jesus. Requirement The successful candidate must be in agreement with the vision and values of Church Army and York Diocese.

Housing A house will be provided on or adjacent to the estate.

Employer Church Army

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APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please submit an application form which is available to download from the top of our vacancies page of our website.

Applications should be sent to: [email protected]

Deadline: 8am Monday 8 April 2019

Interview date: Monday 29 April 2019 with an introductory tour of the area and meetings with key stakeholders on that day

Housing is expected to be ready Summer 2019, so we anticipate an early September start.

For more information about Church Army please visit: www.churcharmy.org

Offers of employment are made subject to:

• Evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK • An enhanced DBS check • Successful completion of a probationary period • Two satisfactory references, including one faith based and one employment

References are usually only requested once an offer has been made. We will ask for your permission before seeking any references.

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