Signed off by: Archdeacon of Warrington
Date: December 2013
(1) Details of the post
Role title: Team Vicar
Name of benefice(s): St Luke, Eccleston
Team/Group: Eccleston Team
Deanery: St Helens
Archdeaconry: Warrington
Initial point of contact on Clergy Terms of Service: The Archdeacon of Warrington
(2) Wider context
The Diocese of Liverpool has a vision to be a place where there is a sustainable, led and transforming Christian presence in every community encouraging all people to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. This touches each and every aspect of congregational and parish life and will need to be worked out carefully and prayerfully in each setting. Within this wider vision, the Bishop has set a clear priority of growth in numbers of church members and in vocations.
The Diocese of Liverpool places a strong emphasis on devolved Deanery mission planning as interpreting this wider vision within the local context.
(3) Local context
The parish of St Luke, Eccleston is part of the Eccleston Team Ministry. The team consists of 5 Churches served by 4 stipendiary clergy. The Team Rector has responsibility for St Matthew Thatto Heath and St James Eccleston Park, with 3 Team Vicars each serving St John Ravenhead, St Luke Eccleston and Christ Church Eccleston. Team Vicars give one Sunday morning per month to support worship in the two churches ‘sharing’ a Priest. St Luke's support was given on the second Sunday in the month at either St James’ or St Matthew’s, as required by the Team Rector. This commitment is a condition of the appointment.
Queen’s Park CE/URC voluntary aided primary is in the parish and the Vicar of St Luke’s serves as a foundation governor, as well as leading regular school worship.
(4) Responsibilities
(a) General
¨ To share with the Bishop in the privilege and responsibility of the oversight of the Church and the parish
¨ To lead God’s people in the offering of praise and the proclamation of the gospel
¨ To sustain the community of the faithful by the ministry of word and sacrament
¨ To identify and nurture gifts of every member, and in particular vocations to Ordained and Reader ministry
¨ To engage all members in ministering to the needs of the parish
¨ To advance the Kingdom of God in this place through servant leadership, mutual ministry and personal example
¨ To have particular regard for the Bishop’s priority for the church to grow numerically
(b) Local
¨ To play a full part in the life of the Eccleston Team
¨ To Provide vision, direction and leadership for the Parish of St Luke’s
¨ To provide overall leadership in the daily running of St Luke’s Church and its activities
¨ To lead the Church in growing and developing both traditional and modern expressions of worship
¨ To oversee and develop the wider ministry of the Church through the Occasional Offices
¨ To further strengthen links with Queens Park School in particular by serving as a Foundation Governor and in regularly leading School Worship
¨ To support and develop the ministry of the licensed Readers at St Luke’s
¨ To develop and enhance St Luke’s commitment to serve the needs of its wider community in outreach and care
¨ To oversee and develop the pastoral care ministry of the Church
¨ To oversee and develop the corporate prayer life of the Church
¨ To oversee and develop St Luke’s involvement in the St Helens’ Inter-church Network
¨ To take a full part in the life of the Clergy Chapter, Deanery and Diocesan synodical system
(5) Key contacts
(a) Groups & committees
¨ St Luke’s PCC
¨ St Luke’s Standing Committee
¨ The Eccleston Team Council
¨ Chapter
¨ Deanery Synod
(b) In the Team
¨ Team Rector
¨ Clergy colleagues
(c) In the Parish
¨ Churchwardens
¨ Readers
¨ Headteacher of Queens Park CE/URC School
(d) Support structures
¨ Team Rector
¨ Area Dean
¨ Archdeacon of Warrington
¨ Bishop of Warrington
¨ Staff at St James House
Summary
¨ Parish: One
¨ Churches: One
¨ PCC: One
¨ Team Council One
¨ Churchwardens: Two
¨ Clergy: One
¨ Buildings: One Community Centre
¨ Churchyards: None
¨ Population: 9,000
¨ Avg Sunday Attendance: 90
¨ Parish Share: £43,903
¨ Expenses: Reimbursed in full
¨ Resolutions: None
¨ Church tradition: Low Evangelical
¨ Pastoral Reorganisation: None planned