Self Supporting Associate Anglican Priestin West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze acting as Interim Minister across the Deanery of Swindon.

1.1.Overview, vision, and the purpose of the role

To share in the spiritual oversight of the Deanery of Swindon as an Interim Minister and across 4 churches as anAssociate Priest within the West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze Church Partnership.The Partnership is a formally constituted Ecumenical Partnership; supported by and consisting of the Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and URC denominations

The vision for an Associate Anglican Priest acting as Interim Minister within the Deanery and across the Partnership.

Sharing in leading worship in all the churches of the Deanery and Partnership includingoccasional services (thanksgivings, baptisms, weddings, funerals) extending current teaching and vocational aspects of the Deanery and Partnership depending on gifting and skills ( for instance tutoring and mentoring others).

Encouraging people to adeeper understanding and active expression of Christian discipleship and maturity with others; developing leadership among all ages, to meet expanding opportunities for ‘new expressions of church’; pioneering some new worship forms to engage with a new generation

Extending our ‘reach’ to all sections of the communities, with various forms of mission and evangelism; building on opportunities arising from the vacancy period in Benefices where if available the Interim Minister would be the first point of call.

Assist in growing the Deanery and Partnership with a strong pastoral heart.

The post is open to everyone without distinction working around 20 hours a week including 3 Sundays a month.The call is for a minister with pastoral sensitivity and ecumenical heart to join a Stipendiary Anglican colleague and others including, SSM’s, Supernumeraries and many talented Lay people in creating a vibrant expression of Gods Kingdom sharing in the challenges and fresh opportunities that a re-constructed Partnership faces. We support the Diocesan mission:‘Building communities of wholeness with Christ at the centre’,with practical strategies for growth.

The person appointed will be licensed as Associate Priest in the West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze Parish where he/she will share the cure of souls.

He/she will be responsible in the first instance to the Area Dean and his or her successors in this case through the Anglian Vicar of West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze. The post was approved by the Partnership Council (Ecumenical Church Council) whose membership includes the URC Association Pastoral Adviser and the Acting Superintendent of the Upper Thames Methodist Circuit. He/she will be an Ex officio member of the Partnership Council. The Associate Priest will take a full role within the local Deanery Chapter and Synod. Full expenses will be paid by the benefice in vacancy or Deanery/ parish as appropriate.

Significant realignment is in progress within the Deanery, to support mission. As part of this the Associate Priest will need to be fully aware of and, with the Deanery and Partnership, be fully involved in, any changes that may take place.

1.2. Main ResponsibilitiesThis section indicates the scope of the role, in terms of what we see as the focus of ministry.

  1. A role incross-Deanery leadership and development with the Area Dean with his or her successors and the leadership of the Partnership.

Acting as Interim Minister across the Deanery.

  1. The Occasional Offices present good opportunities for both pastoral care and outreach. The Associate Priest will take oversight of Funeral ministry across the Benefice in vacancy. Liaising with the Pastoral care and bereavement teams across the Benefice in vacancy to deliver a holistic approach.
  1. To share in leading Worship across the Benefice in vacancy and Partnership, but to lead and be within aBenefice in vacancy three times a month, to build relationships with those whom the Associate Priest will be ministering specifically those seeking Weddings and Baptisms.
  2. Continuing growth.The Associate Priest will be involved with others in encouraging and developing further ministry in the Deanery and Partnership. Using their gifts which we hope wouldbe of wider benefit in maintaining and building up the gifts of a Benefice in vacancy. Building on that, one of the roles will be to specifically develop and encourage others to look at Interim Ministry, and its possibilities, with thevocational team in the Diocese.
  3. Recreational and Social Development. The Associate Priestwill bring to the table a wide circle of interests and these will be encouraged as part of his/her own development and health in ministry.
  4. Sabbath and CME, Rest is important and a Sunday a month will be taken offalthough there will need to be some flexibility when other hours are completed. The Sunday off a month will be paramount as will time away from the Parish for holidays. TheAssociate Priestwill take part in any subsequent CPD (Continual Professional Development ) as required. He/she will take a retreat each year and be encouraged to undertake further training.Funding for this will be available.

1.3. The Associate Priest will need these Personal Attributes and be able to demonstrate experience as follows(E: Essential, D: Desirable)

  1. A Servant leader; a sensitive and nurturing pastoral heart; a mature spirituality; an encourager in whom God is at work with clear and evident passion! An active and living faith centred in prayer, with a heart for healing and wholeness.
  2. Open in theology and practical expression, open to the ways in which the Holy Spirit can inspire, equip and heal our lives.
  3. A Commitment to the Deanery, able to handle the sometimes challenging issues arising from our different traditions (E). Coping with some complexity and ambiguity (D)
  4. Ability in a range of leadership styles, envisioning, and a strong commitment to team working(E). A collaborative, consultative and enabling leadership style(E). Able to discern and encourage spiritual and practical gifts in others; empowering them in Christian ministry(D). Good communication and influencing skills,reflective, inspiring confidence in diverse teams with gifted and articulate lay contributors(E).
  5. Experience ofworship leading, preaching, teaching and evangelism in a range of styles - from fairly traditional/formal to some more interactive and experimental forms(D).
  6. Courage, some risk taking, flexibility, personal resilience and a sense of humour! Similarly, self-awareness and understanding of own values and attitudes, own personal gifting, strengths and development needs. Hence being open to grow through spiritual and professional development, both with colleagues and from other external resources(E).