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 Middlesbrough 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 Page 2 of 15 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 Page 3 of 15 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 Thorntree 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. Page 4 of 15 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. Page 5 of 15 • 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.