Liverpool (South) Methodist Circuit
Student and Young Adult Worker
Job Description
Overall Purpose
1. To serve as a chaplain to the city of Liverpool’s three Universities, focussed on student nurture and outreach.
2. To develop new ways of reaching and nurturing young adults as disciples through fresh expressions of Christian community.
Background Information
Universities
The city of Liverpool has three Universities: University of Liverpool - a member of the Russell group of research-led Universities; Liverpool John Moores University (JMU)- a large former polytechnic with multiple sites across the city; Liverpool Hope University (Hope)- formed from the amalgamation of former Anglican and Catholic teacher training institutionsand based at a campus in suburban south Liverpool with a smaller campus in Everton.
Chaplaincy
Liverpool Hope employs full time Anglican and Catholic chaplains and some part time assistants. The University of Liverpool and JMU are secular universities and their chaplains are offered by the respective churches to serve the University communities. A Roman Catholic priest serves Liverpool and JMU as chaplain from an inner city church base. The Anglican Diocese employs two full time chaplains who focus on students and staff/institutional matters respectively at the two Universities. There is also an Elim Pentecostal chaplain who works with international students at Liverpool and there are links to Jewish and Muslim contacts. There is no physical base for chaplaincy in JMU. At Liverpool, the churches fund a office and meeting base called Faith Express located centrally in the University.
For the past five years the Methodist Church has offered chaplaincy through part-time input from three ordained ministers, each responsible at one of the Universities and a youth and student worker who offered half of their time to Liverpool and Hope Universities. Following a review of our chaplaincy work we are looking to develop a new way of ministering to students and young adults by focussing our input through this post, with reduced input from ordained staff. LiverpoolUniversity and JMU are looking to establish a service level agreement for chaplaincy based on 33% time commitment to the University for a chaplain. Our new approach will satisfy this requirement and will offer a focussed ministry that can compliment the work of ecumenical team colleagues.
Circuit base
The post is based in the Liverpool (South) Methodist Circuit which includes sites for all three Universities and student accommodation within its area of coverage. This is the largest Methodist Circuit in Liverpool (consisting of 12 churches). The Circuit staff includes members with considerable experience of University chaplaincy work who will be available to support the post holder. Members from the circuit have taken a lead in establishing a CaféChurch gathering, first at a local Costa outlet and now at an independent coffee shop. A group of adults from late teens to 30’s in age meet fortnightly on a midweek evening. This group includes students during term time.
Future vision for student and young adult work
- To offer increased time to ministry in the Universities by focussing the input through one worker.
- To develop appropriate expressions of Christian community for students and other young adults (for example building on existing Café Church).
- To explore new ways of engaging students and other young adults in a Christian spiritual journey.
- To represent the Methodist Church in ecumenical chaplaincy teams at the Universities.
- To be able to draw in other members of the Methodist Church where and when their gifts may help this ministry.
- To offer support to students from Methodist Churches in Liverpool who are studying elsewhere, especially when they are back in Liverpool.
- To identify a particular area of focus as a member of the ecumenical chaplaincy teams based on the worker's gifts and experiences, for example in music, student community volunteering, fairtrade or other justice issues.
Main Duties
Student Work
1. To represent the MethodistChurch as the recognised chaplain at the Universities.
2. To work with ecumenical colleagues at the three Universities, complimenting rather than
duplicating their work.
3. To offer a positive, creative witness to students from any or no faith background.
4. To develop meaningful Christian community for students, complimentary to other
expressions of Church for students.
5. To work with students in evangelism and justice campaigns.
6. To offer pastoral support to students from our churches who are studying beyond Liverpool.
7. To draw on the gifts of other staff and members of the Circuit where appropriate.
Young Adult Work
1. To provide opportunities for young adults (approximately those over 16 years old to early
20’s) to meet together for worship and nurture.
2. To offer appropriate links between activities for students and non-student young adults.
3. To promote whole life discipleship among young adults
4. To encourage young adults in leadership and service.
General
1. To keep records of contacts and work undertaken.
2. To review and appraise initiatives and activities undertaken, in discussion
with the management group.
Conditions of Employment
Responsibility for employment for this post lies with the Liverpool South Methodist Circuit meeting. The appointment is being funded as a three year project by the Liverpool Methodist District and the Liverpool (South) Circuit. The appointment is subject to a three month probationary period.
The hours are 40 per week with considerable evening and weekend duties. Office facilities are provided at the Circuit office at GarstonParkChurch. Holiday allowance is 28 days including public holidays by arrangement in advance with the Superintendent Minister.
Payment is made monthly in advance. The annual salary will be £20,500. There is an occupational pension scheme. All chaplaincy expenses are met and mileage expenses from the work base are offered for car or cycle or travel by public transport. Encouragement will be given to participate in training opportunities, within and beyond the MethodistChurch.
Management
Responsibility for direction and pastoral care rests with the Circuit superintendent minister, who will be the line manager for this post. There will be a separate management group to oversee this work. This will include a circuit steward, a young adult, a representative from one of the Universities and a representative from the Methodist District. The postholder is encouraged to form a support group.
The postholder is ex officio a member of the Liverpool Methodist District synod and the Liverpool (South) Circuit meeting. The postholder will join the Liverpool (South) Circuit leadership team. There is a monthly circuit staff meeting and regular staff prayer meeting.
Person Specification
Post: Student and Young Adult Worker
Attributes / Essential / Desirable1.Relevant
experience / A member of a Church affiliated to Churches Together in Britain and Ireland / Evidence of voluntary work in the Church
Experience of ministry to young adults / Awareness of Methodist structures.
Experience of a fresh expression of church / Experience of developing a fresh expression of Church
2. Education and
training / Experience of Higher Education to degree level. / Experience in leading a team of volunteers.
3. Special skills
and knowledge / Awareness of Safeguarding policy and practice issues- the post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure (due to work with 16-18 year olds). / Hold a full driving licence
Awareness and respect for different Christian traditions. / Experience of leading worship
Pastoral sensitivity / Ability to use audio-visual resources
Computer literate / Willingness to become a member of the MethodistChurch
4. Special quality and
aptitude / Ability to work in a team under another's leadership
Ability to work on own initiative
Ability to develop appropriate pastoral relationships with young adults
Ability to prioritise and prepare work
Punctuality
Good communication skills
There is a genuine occupational requirement that the worker is a practising Christian.