We're looking for someone to come and join us in Gospel ministry in the beautiful Sussex Countryside. Could this be for you or someone you know? We'd love to hear from anyone who's interested.
Please give me, Marc, a call on 01435 830421 or email marc_lloyd@hotmail.com to find out more.
Warbleton is in East Sussex. It's about a half hour drive north of the beach at Eastbourne and south of Tunbridge Wells. The smaller towns of Heathfield (10 mins), Hailsham (15 mins) and Battle (20 mins) are near by. It's a 20 minute drive to Stonegate station from which trains to London Bridge take 1 hr 2 mins.
Volunteer Ministry Training Scheme
at
Warbleton Church of England Parish Church
We hope the volunteer’s involvement will allow us to
improve what we currently do and take new initiatives. An extra pair of hands
will be especially useful with the Rector looking after 3 churches / parishes.
Ideally, the volunteer might start in September 2012 (although other dates would be possible) for
one academic year with the hope of renewing for another year if all goes well.
The role might suit someone who graduates from University
in 2012 and perhaps is thinking of training for ordained ministry in The Church
of England in the future but we are keen to hear from any Bible-believing Christian who is keen to grow, learn and serve. We hope the scheme would benefit any Christian, helping them to get to know how a church and ministry really ticks (and develop transferable skills!), whatever their future job plans. Applicants from a Free Church or other background are welcome.
We would offer:
(i)
Training and opportunities in ministry
(ii)
A means tested grant towards living expenses of participating
in the scheme of up to £5000 per annum depending on circumstances
(iii)
Free accommodation, perhaps in a parishioner’s
home.
(iv)
Fees for a training / study / correspondence
course. Something like The Sussex Gospel Partnership Ministry Training Course or The Open Bible Institute / Moore College Course might be suitable but other options would be considered.
(v)
Assistance with the cost of a car / use of a car
if needed
(vi)
Expenses
(vii)
The PCC would pay for the volunteer to attend
one suitable residential conference and one Christian summer camp each year
We would encourage the volunteer to seek
to raise funding (e.g. from sending church, family, friends or trusts) either
to off-set the cost to the church or to supplement her or his[1]
income, depending on circumstances, but the church expects to cover all the costs if necessary and participation in the scheme is not dependant on being able to secure a certain level of funding.
Because of our rural location it seems the volunteer would need to be able to drive.
The scheme is meant for training, to invest in the volunteer and
his future ministry, not exploit him. We want to help him to develop his
character, skills and knowledge and reflect on his future vocation. We would seek to give him opportunities and
experience in as many aspects of ministry and parish life as possible.
Except for training purposes, we want to avoid giving the
volunteer things to do that other volunteers in the parish would otherwise do
happily and well. We will want to focus the volunteer’s efforts in areas most
likely to grow the church.
The volunteer would have a weekly meeting with the Rector.
We would seek to appoint a mentor outside the parish situation who would meet
with the volunteer once a term or more frequently if needed.
What the volunteer might do would depend on his
experience, abilities, interests etc.
The role would include 3 areas:
(1) Ministry
opportunities
These might include:
Preaching
Leading and planning services (including music), reading
the lesson, leading the intercessions etc.
Midweek services
4 For All monthly Family Event in village hall - church with craft / games etc. followed by tea and snacks
Leading homegroups / small groups / prayer meetings /
book group(*)
A prayer triplet
One to one Bible reading
Pastoral or evangelistic visiting
Toddler Group
School assemblies in the local C of E primary school and community primary and maybe elsewhere
After school clubs (we run one called Warblers in the local community primary school)
Christian Union at Heathfield College
Children's Sunday Club
Youth Group / Club(*)
Christianity Explored Courses
Breakfasts (we run monthly men's and ladies' breakfasts)
Involvement with weddings, funerals, baptisms,
confirmation preparation / follow-up
Informal opportunities through attending groups e.g.
lunches for the elderly
Heathfield Street Pastors
Other new evangelistic, pastoral or discipleship initiatives
Other new evangelistic, pastoral or discipleship initiatives
(2) Practical
training and experience
Examples might include:
Admin
Sound system and PowerPoint etc.
Producing / distributing publicity flyers / posters
Input to parish magazine
"Verger"ing / setting up for events / service
Churchyard clear up
Organisation of special events e.g. evangelistic dinners
Musical abilities would be a real advantage, as would IT
skills (especially websites!)
We wouldn't expect the volunteer to do everything on these lists!
(3) Study
Up to a day one week for study not directly related to preparation for immediate ministry in the parish (that is, in addition to work on talks etc.), probably with through at a course
or a formal course of study by correspondence.
We would expect the volunteer not to be available for one
full day a week and for 5 weeks of the year (including 5 Sundays) and bank
holidays or “time off in lieu” (e.g. for Good Friday).
The volunteer would not be employed by the PCC.
We are just in the early stages of setting up our church website, but you can find out more about the church there, on The Church of England A Church Near You website or on Facebook.
An “(*)” indicates that
these groups are not currently running in the church.
[1]
The role would suit a man or a woman. For convenience we have used “he” etc.
generically here. The Rector would not encourage a female volunteer to preach
in church on a Sunday to men or to a mixed congregation of men and women, but
views on women’s ministries vary within the congregation.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment