BE THE TRAILBLAZER ACTIVATE CHANGE STRENGTHEN LIVES Pioneer Evangelist BUILD COMMUNITIES EMBRACE THE CHALLENGES GREENWICH CENTRE OF MISSION BE THE HELPING HAND FAITH TAKING ACTION PURPOSEFUL ACTION Application Pack REAL PEOPLE
REAL FAITH RISK TAKERS
FROM THE INTERIM CEO
Thank you so much for your interest in working with Church Army and our work that is developing in the Abbey Wood and Thamesmead areas of our Greenwich 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 difference.
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 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.
Des Scott Interim 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 DIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK
The Church Army has a long history and close links with the Diocese of Southwark, and the Greenwich Centre of Mission was not only one of the first such Centres, it remains one of the most significant. Although historically the Greenwich CoM was one of those fully funded by Church Army, we are moving towards a 50/50 split in funding shared with the Diocese of Southwark. This share in ownership of vision and financial commitment is also demonstrated in other ways, including the appointments process.
Through the implementation of Church Army’s DARE strategy, the Pioneer Evangelist has a specific role in working with those – particularly young people and children – who are on the margins, whether that is of society or of the church.
This will include working with schools and statutory agencies – but goes beyond the realm of secular social work, giving young people the opportunity to discover the living God, and encounter real relationships with Jesus for themselves. Much of this work will be through TYM (Transform Youth Ministries) and other Fresh Expressions of Church but will also include linking with William Temple and the other churches of the Thamesmead Team, and engaging with the individuals and departments of the wider Diocesan team wanting to support the Greenwich Centre of Mission.
The Venerable Alastair Cutting The Rt Revd Dr Karowei Dorgu Archdeacon of Lewisham & Greenwich Bishop of Woolwich
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THE ROLE OF PIONEER EVANGELIST GREENWICH CENTRE OF MISSION
Abbey Wood and Thamesmead are in an area in South East London in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, with some estates in Bexley Borough. Youth behaviour can be challenging, but the response to the gospel has been striking and lives are being transformed.
Many of the young people reached by Church Army project live in Abbey Wood, where 31% of the population are aged 0-17, which is higher than the London average, and the area has particular problems with anti-social behaviour, arson and criminal damage amounting to 108 crimes per 1000 people. It has several deprived council estates, home to most of the young people connected with the project.
Drug abuse and drug dealing are a problem, alongside lack of opportunities and other aspects of deprivation. Young people are sometimes sucked into drug dealing and can become involved in its associated violence. Many young people are in the NEET category. There is also a traveller community in Abbey Wood which is largely unreached.
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The post is part of a partnership with Southwark Diocese and the Abbey Wood and Thamesmead clergy team. The work began 5 years ago and is now consolidated as Transform Youth Ministries (TYM), based on the principles of the Church Army “Sorted” project in Bradford, which emphasises growing local youth leadership. The aim is to reach unchurched young people with the gospel and disciple them, so that they in turn become evangelists and disciplers. There is a well-established schools outreach, youth club with gospel message, youth prayer group and a youth congregation with about 12 committed members.
The Pioneer Youth Evangelist is part of the Greenwich Centre of Mission and is supported and line-managed by the Lead Evangelist, but not directed day by day, so that there is freedom for the Pioneer to develop the project under God, supported by the Lead Evangelist and in close partnership with the Abbey Wood and Thamesmead Team Ministry. It involves working closely with the Rector and clergy team and in particular the Vicar of William Temple Church, Rev’d Jane Yeadon. There is a strong partnership with London-wide youth charity XLP, who provide a weekly outreach near William Temple Church based on their double decker youth bus, and the churches are in partnership with a URC community church. There is an additional paid part-time youth evangelist post funded by Southwark Diocese supporting the work, currently filled by a local Church Army Co-Worker, and a good volunteer base and support from XLP.
The other part of the Greenwich Centre of Mission is located some 10 miles away and the Centre of Mission meets once a fortnight. Working together is in case of need when there is a staffing shortfall rather than on a daily basis, and projects in the two areas generally operate independently.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Pioneer Evangelist (to young people)
Abbey Wood / Thamesmead, in the Greenwich Centre of Location: Mission in Southwark Diocese
Responsible To: Lead Evangelist Greenwich Centre of Mission
In collaboration The clergy of Thamesmead Team Ministry, the Greenwich with: Borough leader and project staff of XLP
Church Army’s Regional Development Officer (South) & Accountable To: Diocesan Bishop. Participation in the Greenwich Centre of Mission Steering group is an important way of ensuring this accountability. To bring Good News to the young people of Abbey Wood Purpose: and Thamesmead, finding the most appropriate ways to introduce the Christian faith and nurture it as commitment grows.
Objectives: 1. Working in collaboration with schools, agencies and churches, to create the circumstances in which young people are able to make holistic improvements to their lives.
2. To seek ways to introduce Christian faith to young people and nurture that faith in appropriate communities.
3. As part of the Greenwich Centre of Mission, to create a community in which doing, advocating, resourcing and enabling evangelism is a shared way of life.
4. To prosper the work and witness of the Church Army Mission Community.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS: 1. Working in collaboration with schools, agencies and churches, to create the circumstances in which young people are able to make holistic improvements to their lives.
1.1. To pursue and good working relationship with XLP in Abbey Wood, discerning ways to work together that are mutually beneficial.
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1.2. To further develop good relationships with local schools, seeking life- enhancing ways to serve their young people.
1.3. In collaboration with clergy in the Thamesmead Team Ministry, and other Christian leaders, to develop a vision for mission to young people that complements and extends existing work.
1.4. To network with other agencies that seek the wellbeing of young people in the area.
1.5. To identify, recruit, train and support volunteers so that they can share in and sustain this mission.
1.6. To be a member of the William Temple Leadership Team, preaching, leading services and working with Young people to raise the profile of Evangelism with the congregation.
2. To seek ways to introduce Christian faith to young people and nurture that faith in appropriate communities.
2.1. To become a familiar and trusted face among young people in Abbey Wood and Thamesmead.
2.2. By sharing the Christian faith through words and action, to awaken the spirituality of young people in Abbey Wood and Thamesmead.
2.3. To lead the work of TYM, continuing to nurture and disciple the young people who currently attend the Youth club, Youth prayer group and Youth congregation and develop that work as best meets the needs of the young people.
2.4. To build on the existing work of TYM and continue to create opportunities for fresh expressions of Christian community to form in ways that are appropriate to young people who have had no previous engagement with church.
2.5. To lead, coordinate and develop those groups, discipling young people so that their faith deepens and their confidence to express it to their peers grows.
3. As part of the Greenwich Centre of Mission, to create a community in which doing, advocating, resourcing and enabling evangelism is a shared way of life.
3.1. To meet, pray, eat, learn and serve as a Centre of Mission, with a life of such attractiveness that increasing numbers of local Christians are drawn into the mission of God.
3.2. To inform the line manager (lead evangelist) on a timely basis of progress and developments, difficulties and risks relating to this mission.
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3.3. With the line manager (lead evangelist) to work out a devotional discipline that enables effective ministry, including prayer, Bible study and retreats.
3.4. Proactively to seek opportunities to bring the benefits of being a Centre of Mission to others in the diocese.
4. To prosper the work and witness of the Church Army Mission Community.
4.1. To fundraise for Church Army through the Evangelist Support Scheme with a negotiated target.
4.2. To publish at least three prayer letters per year, telling the story of the ministry and Greenwich Centre of Mission in an appropriate way.
4.3. In negotiation with Church Army, to visit other churches and invite their prayerful and financial support.
4.4. To inform Church Army, Southwark Diocese and others who share an interest in evangelism of what can be learnt from the experience of mission in Abbey Wood and Thamesmead.
Responsibilities: • 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 Employee handbook), the Church of England, Southwark Diocese and XLP.
• As a Church Army Officer, to take an active part in the life of the Mission Community.
• To attend meetings of Greenwich Centre of Mission, and meetings of Deanery Synod and Chapter, as appropriate.
• 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 Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult legislation and such Diocesan Regulations as may be appropriate to the same.
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures will be in accordance with Church Army regulations as per contract issued by the Church Army.
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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 Spiritual • Application Form A burning desire to see • Interview & Selection people come to a living Process faith in Jesus Christ. • Pre-employment checks (e.g. A commitment to living references) the mission of Jesus through a thoughtful and committed Christian faith.
An active and infectious prayer life.
Willingness to work with a wide diversity of church traditions.
Experience, knowledge, and qualifications • Application Form Training in mission to a nationally recognised • Interview & Selection Experience as an standard (such as a Process evangelist, with a track Church Army • Pre-employment checks record of helping people commission, a lay (e.g. references) find faith. training scheme, or
Ordained Pioneer Ministry.)
Experience of responding to the spiritual needs of Experience of having unchurched young pioneered a Christian people, and nurturing group among profoundly them in their growth as unchurched people. Christians.
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Enthusiasm to understand and engage Experience of fundraising with the distinctive for personal support and issues of everyday life project expenses. and church in an Urban Estate context.
Experience of engaging Understanding of how to in fruitful schools’ enthuse volunteers. ministry.
Experience of the Understanding of what is distinctive issues of needed to pioneer a everyday life and church Christian group among in an Urban, profoundly unchurched Multicultural Estate young people. context.
Experience of working Awareness of gang with young people culture. engaged in gangs.
Willingness to engage with young people in gangs.
Thorough Understanding of current safeguarding policy and best practice.
Skills and abilities
Ability to speak • Application Form naturally, confidently • Interview & Selection and from personal Process Inspiring presentational experience about the • Pre-employment checks skills. enrichment that (e.g. references) Christian faith brings to everyday life. Ability to mentor and Ability to work creatively support young people in in a school environment their Christian journey so as to build links with and to bring them the Christian together into Christian communities. community.
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An understanding of the Ability to work value of social media in relationally with people mission and the ability to of all generations. use IT for presentational purposes. Ability to adapt Ability to work creatively and imagine strategically and new approaches in alongside others e.g. pursuit of effective Centre of Mission leader, mission strategies. incumbent, TYM, XLP. Willingness to learn how Basic IT skills. to apply for grants and take up funding opportunities
Other
• Application Form Willingness to work • Interview & Selection flexible hours in order to Process fulfil the requirements of the role.
Willingness to travel across the wider Deanery and Diocese for the better provision of the role and wider responsibilities.
Willingness to work with a wide diversity of church traditions.
Ability to travel around the Abbey Access to own transport. Wood/Thamesmead area
Willingness to be subject to a mandatory Enhanced DBS check
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OUTLINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Employer Church Army Abbey Wood and Thamesmead – Greenwich Centre of Location Mission
Salary £22,872
Full Time: 37.5 hours per week, including evenings and weekends
Hours & You will be expected to have an uninterrupted rest period Working Pattern of 24 hours in each period of seven days and an uninterrupted rest period of 48 hours (rather than 24 hours) once in each month.
If a Church Army commissioned evangelist, non- contributory, operated by the Church of England Pensions Pension Board.
If not Church Army commissioned, then the employee will be assessed under autoenrollment pension legislation and if eligible, minimum contributions will be made. 25 days (equivalent 5 weeks) per year plus bank holidays Annual Leave (total of 33 days per annum)
Probation Period Six months
Contract Type Permanent
Suitable housing will be provided for the post holder in a Housing location that best ensures the needs of the role can be met.
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 Occupational the provisions made in the Equality Act 2010 that the post Requirement holder has an active faith in Jesus. The successful candidate must be in agreement with the vision and values of Church Army and Southwark Diocese.
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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: 9am Wednesday 4th September 2019
Interview date: 17th September 2019
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: a faith based and an employment reference are required 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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