Lay Pastoral Assistant Wanted

Lay Pastoral Assistant Job Advert

The York Circuit of the Methodist church require an individual to work alongside the minister and pastoral teams of Acomb and Holgate Methodist church as a lay pastoral assistant.

The right candidate would assist the minister in charge of the section, Rev Andy Lindley and those other individuals offering pastoral care in the section to develop a range of pastoral care solutions for the members and those in the community roll of the churches making effective use of the resources available. This may include the extension of our pastoral work through ecumenical programmes such as York Neighbours. In particular the candidate would look to strengthen the pastoral links with Messy church and those families coming for baptism.

The role holder should demonstrate experience of assisting others in pastoral care and discipleship in a Christian setting, and be comfortable to lead others in prayer during those situations. They would have good communications skills, and it would be desirable if they had formal listening, spiritual direction or counselling skills to offer. The role holder should demonstrate an ability to work within a team, but also able to offer guidance and leadership to others, preferably with experience of doing so with volunteers. An understanding of best practices in safeguarding is also desirable, but training will be offered.

Although working with existing teams and under supervision, the person will need to manage their own time. They will need to be flexible in their working hours in order to be able to attend meetings, and meet pastorally with those who have varied patterns of working and to be present at other events when necessary for the role.
An ability to communicate with people of all ages and backgrounds, with good oral and written skills is essential, as well as some experience of online communications and social networking.

The role holder should be able to travel independently primarily between homes and churches in the geographical area of members of the focus churches, but at times across York circuit as a whole.

The role holder should be passionate about the participation of the whole people of God and able to fully embrace and advocate the ethos of the Methodist church as expressed through 'Our Calling' and 'Priorities of the Methodist church'.

The post holder will be subject to a 3 month probationary period and needs to be familiar with and subject to necessary Safeguarding checks.

The salary offered is pro-rata between £18228 and £19178 per annum (pro-rata to 16 hours per week and depending on experience). The appointment is on average 16 hours per week, but flexibility in these working hours is required.

The appointment is offered as a permanent contract, but the geographical focus of the role and specific churches may change over the duration of the contract within the constraints of the York circuit and its members.

For further information, and an application pack, please contact the Circuit Support Manager- Lois Cross admin@yorkmethodist.org.uk 01904 499661

Deadline for applications is the 17th of October, interviews will take place on the 7th of November