We are recruiting a Children and Families Worker

Location: Saint George’s Church, Chippenham Road, Romford, Essex RM3 8HX

Closing date 31st December 2018 

Main Duties:

The Children and Families Worker will have oversight of Saint George’s extensive and varied ministry with children, young teenagers and families. This will involve not only evangelism and discipleship of young people and families of all backgrounds, but also the management, training and pastoral oversight of a team of children’s work volunteers.

Aims and vision of the role:

* Saint George’s would benefit from a paid Children and Families Worker to:

i) Develop and manage our growing Sunday children’s ministry,

and

ii) Develop our children & families work throughout the week.

We need someone who can organise, resource, support and train a team of volunteers on Sundays, as well as deliver children’s ministry themselves.

The role would also include identifying new material and opportunities for Sunday groups, but also to develop our midweek ministry to children and their parents on and off the church site.

* Midweek ministry could include: school assemblies, RE lessons, after-school groups (e.g. Homework club) with a Christian component and closer working with our Scout, Cub & Beaver groups on-site.

* Pastoral support for children’s work volunteers, and discipleship of parents, could also be undertaken midweek. Additional input for our nursery is seen as essential in leading parents (often vulnerable) and young children towards faith in Christ.

Principal responsibilities of this role.

* To plan and implement the Sunday and midweek programme of the children and youth ministry at Saint George’s, working alongside the rest of the staff team to ensure that it fits in with that of the wider church.

* To build and lead a team responsible for the delivery of the children’s ministry at Saint George’s, providing them with direction, training and pastoral oversight.

* To communicate this vision to the wider church family, in order to raise awareness, enthusiasm and participation in the church’s ministry to young people and their families.

* To partner with parents in the raising of their children to be disciples of the Lord Jesus, encouraging them

to live distinctive Christian lives and be salt and light to their peers and networks. Also working closely with parents both through informal (e.g. pastoral visits) and formal (e.g. seminars) means so that they might better bring their children up ‘in the discipline and instruction of the Lord’ (Eph. 6:4).

* To play an active part in the staff team in helping shape the overall ministry and mission of Saint George’s. Ensuring that all Children’s Ministry groups seek to teach the Bible in an age appropriate way to their members, by providing high-quality resources and training opportunities for leaders.

* Developing the ministry to the local schools, through assemblies.

Schools in our parish include Broadford Primary School and Hilldene Primary School. St Georges also has ties to Dycorts (special needs) School which is just outside of the parish.

Basis of employment and support

* The post-holder would be employed on a part-time basis, working 20 hours at week. The total annual cost of this appointment is estimated at approximately £13,000.

* We anticipate that this part-time post would be attractive to someone undertaking part-time theological study, other part-time paid or voluntary work, or someone whose personal circumstances favour part-time employment (e.g. caring responsibilities).

* The children and families worker will be employed by the PCC of Saint George’s church and is responsible to the incumbent (vicar) on behalf of the PCC. An annual appraisal will take place with the incumbent (vicar).

* The Children and Families worker is expected to play a full part in the life of the church.

* The Children and Families worker and incumbent will meet on a regular basis to discuss:

i) progress on the strategic aims and ensure they are both represented in and representative

ii) of the wider vision of Saint George’s.

* The Children and Families worker will be provided with suitable training opportunities,

* The Children and Families worker will need to live within commuting distance of the Parish.

* The Children and Families worker will be entitled to have four weeks paid holiday per year with opportunities for retreat.

* A DBS enhanced disclosure will be required in accordance with the Diocesan of Chelmsford safeguarding policy.

Person specification

Skills and Experience Needed

* Experience in Bible teaching.

* Interpersonal skills with both children and adults alike

* Experience of working on a church staff team is desirable, but not essential.

* Some knowledge of Children’s spirituality theory.

* The ability to manage their own time and working structure, prioritise duties and delegate to others.

* An ability to work proactively and co-operatively.

* Competent in the use of I.T.

Personal Qualities

* A Christian with a willingness to learn Bible-based, Christ-centred, Spirit lead children’s ministry.

* Enthusiasm for the work of the gospel amongst children and families and the ability to

communicate that to others and to be part of a church committed to Gospel outreach.

* Confident in making decisions and putting forward new ideas and an attitude of willingness to do what is needed to get the job done.

* To work both independently and as part of a team.

Background and context

* Saint George’s is enjoying a period of growth and modernisation, and is ambitious for further growth in spiritual depth and numerical breadth. Enhancing our ministry to children and their parents is a key part of this programme. We have a good relationship with our local schools.

* We have a Church of England nursery (Sparrows) with a team of paid staff meeting Monday - Friday. The demand for places is high.

* The Parish has a growing population of about 23,000 people.

* Havering has also experienced the largest net flow across all London Boroughs. This last five year period has seen a total of 5,314 children who have settled in the borough from other London Boroughs. However the biggest inflow has been from Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge. The prediction is a further 3,000 primary children over the next five years.

* As a consequence, contemporary, family-friendly, welcoming churches like Saint George’s are experiencing increased numbers of children and parents.

* More generally, children and their parents are a growing mission field in our community. Coupled with our successful mission initiatives parochially the employment of a Children and Families Worker for the parish is therefore seen to be of paramount importance.

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