DIOCESE OF LEEDS
Priest in Charge of the Parishes of St John the Baptist, Lepton, St Michael the Archangel, Emley and St Thomas the Great, Flockton
Role Description
1. Details of Post
Role Title: Priest in Charge
Name of Benefice: United Benefice in Consultation Phase.
Deanery: Lepton is currently in Almondbury Deanery and Emley and Flockton are currently in Kirkburton Deanery. The new United Benefice (yet to be named) will be in one deanery (yet to be decided).
Episcopal Area: Huddersfield
Initial point of contact on terms of service: Archdeacon of Halifax
2. Role Purpose
General
· To share with the Bishop both in the cure of souls and in responsibility, under God, for “building confident Christians, growing churches and transforming communities.”
· To be priest in charge of these three parishes having regard to the calling and responsibilities of the clergy as described in the Canons, the Ordinal, the Code of Professional Conduct for the Clergy and other relevant legislation including safeguarding.
· To collaborate within the deanery and episcopal area in mission and ministry and to seek opportunities for sharing resources with other local benefices.
· To develop the ministry of the laity, through training, delegation, encouragement and support so that they have greater involvement in the mission and ministry of the parish.
· To ensure that a high standard of worship, preaching and pastoral care is provided across the churches of the benefice so that people are more able to live and grow as Disciples of Christ.
· To seek ecumenical cooperation wherever possible.
· To gain a good working understanding of the Diocese and the support it provides.
· To encourage Christian stewardship of people's time, money and abilities so that the ministry of the church is strengthened and enabled.
3. Specific
The parishes are looking for an energetic priest who will:
· Co-ordinate the existing talent and enthusiasm across the three parishes for spreading the Good News of the Gospel
· Help them to develop and deepen their faith and evolve their worship in creative, inspiring and imaginative ways
· Be a visible and active presence within the three village communities of Lepton, Emley and Flockton
· Engage with young people and a new generation and inspire and enable the three churches to nurture their relationship and involvement with their primary schools
· Encourage those on the fringe of church life to take the next step in faith
Special Note:
· The three PCCs have agreed very positively to work towards becoming a United Benefice. The formal consultation process is about to begin.
· The designated vicarage will be in Lepton which is the largest of the three communities.
· This pastoral reorganisation is increasing rather than reducing allocated ministry to these communities.
· All three churches have been reordered for community use in the last few years.
Ministry Resource:
Two Retired Clergy;
Three Readers ;
Lay Involvement in a Variety of Ministries.
Statistics for Parishes
St John the Evangelist Lepton (5000); Electoral Roll 113
St Michael the Archangel Emley (2000); Electoral Roll 71
St James the Great Flockton (1500); Electoral Roll 20
Schools:
Lepton CE (VC) Junior, Infant and Nursery School
Flockton First School (Controlled)
Emley First School (Community School)
Key Contacts
The Area Bishop – The Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs
The Archdeacon – The Ven Dr Anne Dawtry
The Area Deans - The Revd Mark Zammit (Almondbury Deanery); The Revd Canon Joyce Jones (Kirkburton Deanery)
To be reviewed 6 months after commencement of the appointment, and at each Ministerial Development Review, alongside the setting of objectives.
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