Colchester Area Mission and Ministry Adviser

The Diocese of Chelmsford is a region of more than 1,500 square miles that stretches from the east coast to the Thames and ranges from countryside to towns and suburbs. It comprises the county of Essex, the unitary authorities of Southend and Thurrock, and the east London boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.

Chelmsford diocese is a big, dynamic and vibrant place and its residents represent most, if not all, socio-economic groups; with a wide diversity in terms of affluence and poverty, culture, different faiths and church traditions.

With a population of nearly 3 million people Chelmsford is the second largest diocese in England. There are 463 parishes and 599 churches. Nearly 30,000 children and young people attend church schools, and an estimated 100,000 young people share in assemblies, chaplaincy, clubs and youth work.

The Diocese was created in 1914, having formerly been part of the Dioceses of London, Rochester and St Albans. It extends from the River Lea in East London, to the Essex coast and the boundary with Suffolk.

That the Diocese contains such huge diversity creates a very special place that is different from most other large dioceses and creates unique opportunities and challenges for the future.

The Colchester Episcopal Area

In terms geographical size, the Colchester Episcopal Area covers 51% of the Diocese, while containing not quite 20% of its people. The Northern swathe of the county of Essex homes significant coastal communities and port towns, like Clacton, Frinton, and Harwich; and the post-industrial towns of Braintree (now nearly 50,000 people) and Bocking. Colchester is the sixth fastest growing borough in the country; having reached 190,000 people, it is now slightly bigger than Chelmsford itself. Some 25 miles away to the north-west is the historic market town of Saffron Walden. Halstead and Great Dunmow are also major settlements. London Stansted airport handles nearly 23 million passengers a year and provides employment for many people in the region.

There are many villages scattered across this landscape too. These feature historic and often beautiful church buildings, where multi-parish benefices can be found. In the deaneries of Witham, Saffron Walden, Hinckford and Harwich, significant Team Ministries have been established. The picturesque villages constitute some of the most prosperous communities in the country alongside pockets of real deprivation and need – Jaywick near Clacton for example has been named as the most deprived neighbourhood in the UK, according to government reports in 2010 and 2015.

The Colchester Episcopal Area has an estimated population of nearly 600,000 and takes in part, or all, of the Tendring, Colchester, Braintree, Uttlesford and Maldon local authorities. The Episcopal Area has 186 parishes, 236 church buildings, and 66 church schools.

There are about 125 Clergy of whom about 75 are stipendiary. Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) serve the churches and communities of the Colchester Area, together with increasing numbers of Evangelism Enablers, Pastoral Assistants and Authorised Local Preachers. A considerable contribution to ministry is made by retired clergy in the Area. The diocese employs a full time chaplain at the Essex University Colchester campus.

Colchester is a significant army garrison town, and the chaplains provided within the army structure value links with local churches; St. Peter’s Colchester has often been used as the garrison church for funerals of those killed in action.

There are paid chaplains and many volunteers in our Colchester hospitals which also link to Clacton and Harwich.

The diversity of parishes in the Colchester Area is as true in terms of financial statistics as it is in other respects.

In general terms the parish share performance has been stronger in the Colchester Area than the diocese as a whole. The proportion of the request paid by parishes has been consistently above 96%. With some of the Deaneries achieving 100% share payment, however, giving per church member is not as high as elsewhere and the relatively strong financial position cannot be taken for granted.

A small Area Team has been established to work with the Bishop and Archdeacons. The team comprises:  Continuing Ministerial Development Adviser  Mission & Ministry Adviser  Youth Adviser  A Rural Officer (working with the Centre for Excellence in Rural Ministry)

The Archdeaconry of Colchester The Archdeaconry of Stansted Deaneries 4 Deaneries 4 Parishes 86 (BMOs 1) Parishes 99 Population 362,000 Population 183,000 Area 86970ha Area 112,380ha Church Buildings 96 Church Buildings 112 Worshippers 6,180 Worshippers 4,300 Share % received 97.2% Share % received 98.0%

Role description and key responsibilities

The role of the Mission and Ministry Adviser is to develop and support mission and encourage positive change and transformation within the parishes and deaneries of the Colchester Episcopal Area. They will facilitate the continuing development of Transforming Presence principles and practice in parishes and deaneries (especially in relation to the dynamic of Mission and Ministry Units/Partnerships) and they will work strategically within the framework of emerging Diocesan Strategy for finance with parishes and groups in order to ensure financial sustainability for mission and ministry.

With all the members of the Area Team the MMA works to encourage growth and to enable and challenge engagement with prayer, discipleship and mission by identifying:  the mission overview of the Colchester Episcopal Area that supports all cultures and contexts (rural, urban, coastal, from affluent to deprived)  churches, parishes, MMUs, deaneries that may benefit from external support or consultancy and devise appropriate strategies.  other people who will lead focused vision days and training to meet identified needs that enable active participation in contextual mission, community engagement and stewardship.

Main Responsibilities that are more specific to the role of MMA:

Facilitating change  Working alongside archdeacons in the vacancy and appointments process, supporting parishes through vacancies and times of transition.  Supporting interim ministry.

Developing resources  Support parish and deanery Treasurers.  To promote Christian giving and the stewardship of all God’s resources and to support parishes and groups in financial sustainability and stewardship  The development of human and physical resources (lay ministry and buildings).

Building teams and expertise  Building confidence, competence and expertise through training and development opportunities and sharing of best practice  Recruit and support lay members of the church to lead and work in teams for developing stewardship, discipleship, buildings, worship, prayer and evangelism.  Be the Area lead in promoting “Setting God’s People Free.”

General  To maintain personal development and training, keeping up to date with developments, trends, resources and training opportunities to support the aims of the role.

Key Relationships

1. The Area Bishop as line manager. 2. The two Archdeacons as key colleagues and collaborative partners. 3. The Area Team (CMD, Rural Ministry and Youth Advisers). 4. The Area Deans and Lay Chairs. 5. Other Area Mission & Ministry Advisers. 6. Diocesan Officers, the, Dean of Mission & Ministry, CEO, Director of Finance and Director of Property.

The role may well carry a particular Diocesan-wide responsibility on behalf of all three MMAs.

Person specification

 Team builder  Entrepreneurial  Experience of ministry in a variety of church settings and contexts  A strong commitment to and enjoyment of collaborative working with colleagues  Experience of leading through change/transition  Able to examine and critique parish accounts, have a good theological understanding of Christian stewardship and the ability to preach and teach about Christian stewardship  Relevant parish experience with skills that encompass theory and practice  Conversant with the different styles of ministry in the Church of England and is able to work with practitioners who reflect this diversity, working alongside clergy and congregations to engage together in parish development  Excellent and proven communication and presentation skills and the flexibility to tailor material to the needs of different groups  Is a team play, able to draw upon the gifts of other team members, but also has the confidence to work alone on individual projects  Is prepared to work from home but is also willing to travel throughout the episcopal area, and, when necessary, to work in the evenings and at weekends

Outline of terms and conditions

Responsible to: Bishop of Colchester

Salary: £45,000 (depending on experience)

Hours: Full time. Normal office hours are 09.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will need to be flexible in their approach to working hours and be able to work evenings and weekends to meet the requirements of the role.

Pension: Enrolment in the Church Workers’ defined contribution scheme (a non-contributory scheme with an 11% contribution by the Board).

Annual leave: Twenty-five days plus public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years

Probationary Six months period:

Notice period: Three months

Expenses: Working expenses are paid at the Diocesan rates. A laptop and a smartphone will be provided.

Office base: Diocesan Office, 53 New Street, Chelmsford CM1 1AT

Contract: The contract of employment will be with the Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance.

Right to work: The post-holder must have the right to reside and work in the UK.