Candidate Briefing Pack The Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack 1 The Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack Foreword from the Bishop of Lichfield brings together officers from administrative these plans will involve significant reductions departments, outward facing departments, clergy in stipendiary posts across the diocese in the In the Diocese of Lichfield we extend an invitation be perceived as threatening. In all of this we and others from the ‘frontline’. Integrated with next two to three years. Shaping for Mission is to “Come follow Christ in the footsteps of St are inspired by the example of St Chad, the this work and vision is the recent establishment an exciting and demanding undertaking, and Chad”. Our diocesan vision states that: first Bishop of Lichfield, who worked across of a Racial Justice and Inclusion Task group the Archdeacons have a pivotal role to play in boundaries and reached out in relationship to to scrutinise our structures and practices to supporting and facilitating the process. all whom he met. Relationships, rather than eliminate racial injustice. As we follow Christ in the footsteps of St structures, need to be paramount. +Michael Lich Chad, we pray that the two million people Partly in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, in our diocese encounter a church that is We are conscious of the need to increase the but primarily to address challenges and pressures confident in the gospel, knows and loves diversity of voices in the Bishop’s staff team, already evident in the life of the church, we its communities, and is excited to find and to increase participation and representation are in the midst of a process of change called God at work already in the world. We pray across the diocese. We therefore would Shaping for Mission. Shaping for Mission invites a for a church that reflects the richness and particularly welcome applications from UKME review at deanery level of the life of our parishes, variety of those communities and partners candidates Fresh Expressions and chaplaincies against the with others in seeking the common good, Diocesan vision and priorities. As a result of this working for justice as a people of hope. We have developed a focus on five local contexts review, deanery visions will emerge and deanery for mission – parishes, fresh expressions, schools, plans will be formed in discussion with the Area chaplaincies, and our Cathedral. In each of Bishops and Archdeacons. It is expected that A Direction of Travel for the Diocese these we concentrate on our three priorities of developing discipleship, encouraging vocations of Lichfield and inspiring evangelism. As we seek to live our vision for this Diocese, we have discerned that culture change needs to be The work of our central diocesan team has at the heart of all we do. We all are called to be been realigned to serve our diocesan vision and advocates for change, and to help people meet priorities. Staff in departments delivering work the challenge of being outward-facing, confident across the Diocese on Discipleship, Vocation and believers in a sceptical world. Evangelism work in shared premises to enable partnership working towards this shared vision. This process of change must be handled in a A programme of cross-department DVE projects sensitive and relational manner, particularly has been introduced to embed a culture that for those for whom reimagining ministry may focuses on mission outcomes. Each DVE project 2 3 The Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack Role Profile for Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent: or Diocesan Bishop requests. Depending b) on a day-to-day basis within the Stafford on the experience and interests of the Episcopal Area, to be accountable to the Key tasks i) to be a first point of referral in addressing, post-holder, the Bishop of Lichfield may, Bishop of Stafford, and work closely with him a) to help shape, promote and model the in a timely fashion, situations of conflict, in consultation with the Bishop of Stafford, and the Associate Archdeacon as a member Diocesan Direction of Travel, Come follow breakdown and difficulty within parishes. request him or her to take on one or more of the Stafford Episcopal Area Team. Christ in the footsteps of St Chad, with its j) To be Bishop’s Visitor to existing and future specific diocesan or area portfolios. c) to be a valued colleague of the Diocesan three priorities of discipleship, vocation and Bishop’s Mission Orders Key relationships Chief Executive, the Registrar, fellow evangelism. k) With the Bishop of Stafford, to lead a) to be accountable to the Bishop of Lichfield archdeacons and other Diocesan Staff, and b) to champion the current Diocesan Shaping the ongoing exploration of Strategic and work closely with him as a member of his of the Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Maidstone for Mission process and, with imagination, Development Funding, especially for Stoke- Senior Staff Team. (who both serve as Assistant Bishops in the sensitivity and boldness, to see through on-Trent. Diocese). tough decisions in a time of change. d) to work closely with the rural deans, lay c) to be diligent in fulfilling the Archdeacon’s chairs, clergy and lay ministers of the Stoke statutory responsibilities so as to better equip Archdeaconry in support of the church’s life God’s people for ministry and mission. and mission across the archdeaconry. d) to take particular care to promote excellent safeguarding practice in parishes and with clergy. e) to assist the Bishop of Stafford in providing Bishops (above), archdeacons (below) and CEO/Dean of Lichfield/Bishop’s pastoral care and support for the clergy and Chaplain (right) comprise most of the Bishop’s Senior Staff Team Alton Towers near Uttoxeter lay ministers of the Stafford Episcopal Area. Jeremy Thompson/Flickr / CC BY 2.0 Illustration of the life of an archdeacon? f) to encourage parishes in generous giving and in the regular payment of parish share. The freshly consecrated Bishop of Stafford, Rt Revd Matthew Parker (centre) after the service at Lambeth Palace (14/4/21) g) to support parishes in times of vacancy and enable them to reflect creatively on their l) to have an active liturgical and teaching past, present and future vocation. ministry in the Archdeaconry and Diocese. h) to share with the Bishop of Stafford in the m) to undertake other tasks and responsibilities making of appointments. in the Episcopal Area or Diocese as the Area 4 5 The Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack Support Person Specification j) can listen, question, encourage, enable, Appointment process: Support for the Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent The new Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent will admonish and inspire trust and confidence; is provided as follows: be a priest of the Church of England or another k) has demonstrable administrative and • Closing date 18 May 2021 member church of the Anglican Communion, in executive ability; a) the Archdeacon has the services of a Personal holy orders for at least six years. • Shortlisting 21 May 2021 Assistant. l) holds a full driving licence. b) the Registrar and Chancellor, together with We are seeking someone who: Conditions of Service • Interviews 09 June 2021 the other archdeacons, provide legal advice The Diocese observes the guidelines issued by and support. a) is prayerful, seeking to grow in personal the Central Stipends Authority relating to Clergy holiness and discipleship; Terms and Conditions of Service. The office of c) technical and office support are supplied Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent is held on through the Diocesan Board of Finance. b) has a heart for mission and evangelism; Common Tenure. d) there will be a regular Ministry Development c) is a person of vision, with theological acumen, confident in the gospel and able to Review with the Bishop of Lichfield. a) Stipend: Archdeacon’s rate as determined by help others to see where God is at work in the Archbishops’ Council. The Bishop’s Staff Team foster a supportive the world; and collaborative working culture. b) House: A house is provided in Stoke. This, for example, means that we share d) has a track record of working collegially and c) Holidays: 36 days to be agreed with senior information about work as far as possible, collaboratively and who actively seeks to colleagues, to ensure coverage is maintained. e.g. forthcoming diary engagements and make partnerships with others; priorities. e) is able to work sympathetically across a range d) Expenses: Working expenses are agreed and of contexts, both urban and rural; fully reimbursed. f) is committed to promoting diversity at every Informal inquiries should be addressed to Brad level of church life; Cook, Archbishops’ Advisers for Appointments & Development at [email protected] g) is committed to the pastoral care and welfare of clergy and their families; h) is able to relate to and to value all traditions within the Church of England; i) values ministry in parishes, Fresh Expressions, chaplaincies and schools; 6 7 The Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent Candidate Briefing Pack Overview of the Diocese of Lichfield The Archdeaconry of Stoke-upon-Trent Our Roots We are committed to proclaiming the Gospel The Archdeaconry of Stoke-upon-Trent (which no longer employs the thousands it once did and In Lichfield we are conscious of being a pilgrim in the public arena and transforming our is coterminous with the Stafford Episcopal Area) the distinctive and rather elegant bottle ovens people, inspired by the example of our first communities with a prophetic voice and a covers about 530 square miles and five local are now largely gone from the cityscape except Bishop, St Chad of Mercia.