Upper Islwyn Ministry Area,
with particular focus on Oakdale
Associate Pioneer Priest
Context
We are seeking imaginative ways of resourcing ministry and enabling our continued growth as a vibrant and inclusive Christian community in the Benefice of Mynyddislwyn, focusing on the village of Oakdale. This is part of the future Upper Islwyn Ministry Area.
Oakdale is a former mining community which has expanded with new housing developments. This has resulted in Oakdale being a mixed community in terms of social and age profile. We are committed to developing a vision for ministry and mission that reaches out in new ways to our community so that we might share the love of Christ. The community is well resourced with schools, medical, leisure facilities and an active community centre which provides many opportunities for the church to engage with the wider community.
By creating two distinct but complementary half-time posts (one focused on the traditional pastoral and worshipping ministries across the Benefice and the other focused on developing mission and outreach, particularly in Oakdale) we are seeking to make space and support both traditional and emerging expressions of worship and faith in our community. Together these posts are intended to further develop a prayerful and supportive environment in which all people can grow in faith, ministry and the exercise of their God-given gifts.
The role of the Pioneer Priest is focused on looking for where God is at work in our community and exploring new avenues for mission and the development of new and emerging expressions of faith. The Pioneer Priest is also there to encourage, develop and release the gifts and skills of lay members in the development of a vision for mission within the Ministry Area, particularly in Oakdale.
The Pioneer Priest will be part of the wider Ministry Area Team (see the Area profile for more details on the make up of the team and area) and will participate in the development of the Ministry Area with others. Our vision for the Ministry Area team is that we share resources, experience, knowledge and skills, working across the area and locally as appropriate, as we support one another in mission and ministry across the Area.
Purpose of the post
• To engage and develop relationships in the community with the intention of developing new communities of faith and expressions of worship that resonate with those who do not come to church
• To focus especially on schools and young families
• To encourage and inspire the church community to be more outward looking
• To encourage, enable and release others in developing their gifts
• To participate in and support the traditional worship of the area
• To work closely with the Pastoral Priest in the development of the Benefice vision for ministry and mission
• To work with the Ministry Area Leader and wider ministry area team to support and encourage the ministry of the Ministry Area
Essential requirements
• A vibrant Christian faith and commitment to a personal pattern of prayer
• A heart for reaching out with the gospel in creative and imaginative ways
• An ability to develop new approaches to worship and faith development
• Outstanding enabler and encourager of gifts in others
• Collaborative and good team worker
• An ability to develop relationships with people of different ages and backgrounds
• Effective communicator, teacher and preacher
• Ordained minister of the Church in Wales or church in full communion with the Church in Wales
Desirable Requirements
• Experience of pioneering ministry/fresh expressions
• Good administrative and IT skills
Additional Information
• The post holder is accountable to the Ministry Area Leader and serves as a member of the local ministry team in the Benefice
• Hours of work are 2.5 days per week plus Sundays
• S/he will receive a half stipend and be part of the Church in Wales non-contributory pension scheme
• Accommodation will be provided in a modern, three-bedroomed vicarage in Oakdale
• Agreed full expenses will be paid
• A disclosure and barring service (DBS) check is required