Priest-in-Charge of the Bridgnorth & Morville Parishes Team Ministry

Introduction

Final Benefice Profile.pdf

Who are we?

We are nine parishes in and around the historic market town of Bridgnorth in beautiful south Shropshire. We seek to be Christ-centred communities founded on prayer, developing relationships with those around us, and drawing them to Christ and a life of discipleship 

Like many rural areas, we recognise that our congregations are becoming smaller and older, and that the world around us is changing. 

We know that some in our town see the church as being too remote, traditional, and formal.

We seek to be churches that grow organically, with a willingness to live in faith and to take risks. We recognise that this needs a willingness to make mistakes as well as celebrate success. We believe this can be achieved by our parishes working even more closely together, with St Mary's at the heart. We see St Mary's being developed as a hub for our benefice, with its two Hall Churches - St Leonard's and St James' - being centres for expansion in the town.

Alongside the town hub, our village churches may build strength from mutual support while continuing to serve the village communities in which they are embedded.

We also see that our patterns of worship must change and adapt as we seek to reach out to others. We already had a pattern of lay-led services before the vacancy, and has developed further during it. We know this is part of the path to the future, while we celebrate and retain the best of our traditions. 

What is our vision?

In particular, in ten years' time we would hope to see:

• A growing congregation filling all our buildings - including the two hall churches.
• A congregation alive with families, young people and adults of all ages
• Church Schools flourishing
• A bustling Sunday School and growing youth group.
• The congregation learning to minister and take on leadership
• A growing preaching team ready to help support and increase the ministry for the villages
• Active involvement in taking on the challenges of a continually-changing world in the town and villages.
• Clergy playing an active role in the local community

Who are we looking for?

We are praying that our new priest-in-charge will be:

• an inspiring and joyful leader in faith and worship, a leader who is creative and enthusiastic
• friendly and welcoming, a good communicator and willing to go out and meet people throughout the benefice      
• a good team player as well as team builder, who can build relationships and be a good and sensitive listener, able to lead us positively through change as we move forward.      
• prepared to try new initiatives to engage with new groups of all ages
• willing to fully participate in and encourage the full life of the town and village communities
• able to encourage and build on existing ecumenical links within the area
• someone who has focus, and doesn't mind rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in with an "all things are possible with God" attitude.

What can we offer

• A warm welcome
• A commitment to pray with and for you
• A dedicated team of clergy with PTO and lay leaders, who will work alongside you

We anticipate recruiting a half-time Team Vicar once the Priest-in-Charge is in place, and you would be central to working with the parishes and the Diocese in that appointment.

For an informal conversation please contact The Archdeacon of Ludlow: 
Fiona.Gibson@hereford.anglican.org  01588 673571
Closing date: Monday 25^th March
Parish visits: Tuesday 30^th April        
Interview date: Wednesday 1^st May 

This post is subject to Enhanced DBS clearance. We are committed to equal opportunities and diversity in Hereford Diocese, and welcome applications from all suitably qualified clergy. As UKME and GMH individuals are currently under-represented within our Diocese we would particularly welcome applications from these candidates.