Canon Pastor at Ripon Cathedral

Thank you for showing interest in the role of Canon Pastor at Ripon Cathedral. 

As is clear from the role description and person specification, this is a post in which the person with the right skills could make a significant difference to the life of this Cathedral and through it to the wider diocese and region.  It is also a role in which a future church leader could develop further.   We wish to appoint a collaborative and motivational leader as Canon Pastor whose role will promote church growth and pastoral care at the Cathedral.

The Canon Pastor will be a Residentiary Canon and a member of the Cathedral Chapter, thereby a trustee of the Cathedral.  Amongst their responsibilities will be the development of programmes of numerical and spiritual growth for existing and new Cathedral congregations and the development of the provision of excellent pastoral care for the communities of the Cathedral and its parish. The Canon Pastor will be the safeguarding lead for the Chapter.

The post holder will be a talented leader, possessing the ability to inspire and influence, encourage and support whilst contributing to the vision and mission of the Cathedral and the wider diocese.

Ripon Cathedral has a history stretching back almost fourteen centuries. Throughout this time it has offered an unbroken tradition of witness to the Christian faith, both in the city of Ripon and across the region. 

The Cathedral has a clear strategy to take its mission and ministry forward within the Diocese of Leeds, in which it is one of three cathedrals with Bradford and Wakefield.  The Cathedral is also a parish church at the heart of its local community.

In the Cathedral, the main Sunday service is regularly attended by over 200 people and a further 90 attend the BCP services, including   Evensong.  A group of about 60 regular worshippers attends the various services during the week.  Children are an important part of the cathedral community, as members of the congregation as well as members of the choir. 

We wish to appoint the full-time Residentiary Canon Pastor to take the lead in growing the congregations, nurturing new and long-standing disciples, and providing pastoral care.  This includes ensuring that there is a suitable provision of pastoral care for the whole Cathedral community.

There are various parish structures that work alongside the Cathedral structures.  The Canon Pastor will chair the Chapter’s Growth Committee. Its membership is made up of representatives of the congregations, including churchwardens, deanery synod reps and licensed lay ministers. The committee oversees the nurture, pastoral care and growth of the congregations, along with their service to the wider community.

As Chapter lead for safeguarding (Safeguarding Representative), the Canon Pastor will work closely with the Cathedral Safeguarding Advisor, the Chief Operating Officer (Safeguarding Coordinator) and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. The Canon Pastor sits on Chapter’s Safeguarding Committee. 

This post will have a role as a trustee, as part of the Chapter. The person appointed to this post must be suitable to serve as a charity trustee.

  

The Canon Pastor will be one of three Residentiary Canons, playing an important part in the successful delivery of the Cathedral’s vision and strategy, Growing God’s Kingdom, and working collaboratively with the Dean, other Cathedral clergy and lay colleagues. This person will help to ensure the future development of the Cathedral and its ongoing mission to enable God’s Kingdom to become more evident in Ripon, the region and the Diocese. 

If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role with the Dean, please arrange a telephone appointment by contacting Judith Bustard, Dean’s PA on 01765 643860 or judithbustard@riponcathedral.org.uk

Role Description - Please see full brochure attached