Welcome to Craven Arms

Gateway to the Marches

Is this for you?

Thank you for your interest in what is a truly exciting and challenging post and, whether or not you put make an application, we ask you to join with us in praying for God’s hand on this appointment process.

A Pioneering Role in a Gateway Community

We aim to recruit a Pioneer Priest to serve in Craven Arms

The Anglican parishes of the Craven Arms Group in partnership with the Methodist Church and supported by St Andrew’s Independent Church are united in seeking an Ordained Pioneer Minister who brings passion, skills and if possible, a track record in reaching a fresh generation for Christ. The call is for someone who through the use of an intentional approach to mission, evangelism and discipleship will lead and enable the formation and discipleship of a new and vibrant community of faith. Our prayer is that within five years at least one new fresh ecclesial expression will form that aims to be self-governing, self-replicating and self-sustaining. This new expression of church is open to a variety of forms and structure. The strategy is that it will exist alongside the other churches and be an addition that is complementary to what is already present.

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The contents of this pack draws upon our development of Mission Action Planning and the Diocese of Hereford and Methodist Church’s expertise in relation to Intergenerational Mission and Missional Learning Community. It also includes some details of the Condover Deanery and Methodist Circuit where the post will be based. We invite you to read it and to consider whether it fires your imagination and inspires you. There is no hiding of the challenge but we trust you will also grasp the vison and passion we have to see God do something new. We realise that when it comes to the role specification we are dealing with the realm of the ideal and that no one human could ever be expected to be an expert in all the requirements. They would not be human if they were.

Whoever is appointed will be part of the Deanery of Condover and linked to the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Methodist District.

Rural Pioneer – What are the expectations?

Being a PioneerPioneering is about firsts. Being the first to lead ministry into new places for and with others. Whoever comes must be able to see a new future, and have the skills and gifts needed to make it a reality now. It is about connecting with people outside of Church, creating new ways of doing Church together in their community.Pioneers are leaders of innovation, with a gift for seeing what God is doing and responding creatively to it. We are seeking someone who will work from this parish base but from there develop new ways of doing things, expanding the growth and reach of the local Church. It is our understanding that the main focus of their ministry and most of their time will be spent with people outside the Church.

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The expectation is that whoever is appointed will give at least 80% of their time being set free to work and minister as a pioneer priest in mission and facilitating growth. Some time will involve overseeing the retired and existing clergy and lay people who are continuing to nurture and sustain the established ministry.

Key Priorities:

Growing Christians of all ages and backgrounds Whoever is appointed will be expected to give their time almost entirely to the community of Craven Arms. As indicated, there is a need to refocus the ministry here. There is good support for the appointee to be set free for the new work. It is understood that it will take time and skill to reach out and build relationships with groups not currently in contact with existing church. Growing new Christian disciples will involve developing warm contacts rather than cold calling. The development of an intentional approach to mission, evangelism and discipleship will be essential. Positively there are many opportunities to make new contacts. These include the Discovery Centre, The Craven Arms Community Centre, the schools as well as the supermarket and shops.

Growing new worshipping communities embracing people of all ages and backgroundsIt is understood that establishing a new ministry takes time. A key aim will be for the person to lead/enable the setting up of at least one new expression of church within the parish that will nurture journeys TO faith and IN faith among all ages. The priority is that this new expression of church will be an intergenerational congregation. There will be a challenge in this to oversee the development of the new congregation, so that they are growing leaders, growing disciples, growing numerically, and becoming financially sustainable. This is an invitation to initiate and create opportunities for mixed-economy congregation in the parish that becomes part of the mix.

Growing local leaders Part of the vision is that as a new expression of faith and church develops there will emerge from within it those who can become leaders. Part of the role will be to support, train and grow teams of local leaders and volunteers in leading mission, evangelism and discipleship. We recognise that if the

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new expression is to be sustainable it will require support. Part of the role will be to mentor local leaders to form and sustain this new congregation.

How is this to be achieved?There is much good will and prayerful support for this new work. Finding the best way forward may well involve some experimentation. There are already some involved in reaching new people through Open the Book in the local school and with Messy Church. Encouragement will be given to working collaboratively with them to identify and evaluate current missional, evangelistic and discipleship opportunities. Taking time to identify ‘gaps’, ‘missing generations’, opportunities for development, key tasks and priorities and to facilitate planning and action are again important. The vison and prayer are to build up and equip a team to enable the growth of intergenerational church in the local context.

The Person Specification

Person Specification Essential

Desirable

A lively and infectious faith in Jesus Christ with a story to tell of their own faith Journey

x

A clear vocation to work as a pioneer working mainly outside the existing church community

x

A willingness to work with and belong to the Missional learning community in the diocese

x

A commitment and an evident ability to lead Christian mission, evangelism and discipleship

x

A passion for intergenerational mission-the opportunity to work across and between ages

x

Appreciation of the riches of the inherited tradition alongside an understanding of the x4

urgency and demands of growing a new expression of church Experience of exercising leadership/ ministry and is excited to continue to broaden the scope of their experience and expertise

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A familiarity in using social media as a tool for mission and ministry xThe ability to lead and facilitate through listening, discerning, inspiring, encouraging, motivating, and empowering individuals and groups

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A commitment to our church’s strategic priorities. Brings experience that can benefit the wider diocese and church networks, especially mission teams

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A commitment to their own personal, spiritual and professional vocation and development -and an ability to grow that in others

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Well developed communication and creative skills, ability to talk to a range of people and present in different settings but especially relate to children, young people and familiesProven experience in establishing, sustaining or growing one or more new congregations amongst the non-churched/ all ages /younger generation

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A vision of what it means to be part of a mixed economy church and the ability to relate to the local context

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Holds a full driving licence and has access to a vehicle x

If you’d like to know more please email Bishop Alistair at office@bishopofludlow.co.uk . You are also welcome to have a conversation with Jo Yair (Methodist ministry and Mission coordinator) on 07535152548 who will be very glad to hear from you.

The rest of the document sets out the overall context and more detail as to location and place.

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Who Are We?Craven ArmsCraven Arms exhibits an almost unique status and socio-economic cultural mix within the Diocese of Hereford and is among the sizeable communities in South Shropshire. The group of parishes house a population of just over 3,500. Employment features a mix of light industry, agricultural supplies and machinery, some service industry, a halal abattoir and some office and professional services. The work generated by agriculture and the businesses supporting agriculture generate a substantial proportion of the overall income. Across the parishes there is a fairly even distribution of age ranges and the group contains two schools both of which welcome church links. The Craven Arms school is a County Primary and in Wistanstow it a Church of England Primary. The community has its own locally run supermarket (Tuffins), a mainline railway station, doctor’s surgery, veterinary practice and a range of other shops and food outlets. There is a popular and busy Community Centre with sports facilities and the Shropshire Hills cultural centre. Unemployment is low and there is a wide range of incomes. The Halal abattoir is operated by a significant Muslim community. This vibrant Muslim community has its own mosque and Imam. Also, within the community, and of more recent times, there has come a strict Mennonite community. Consequently, distinct elements of this town are marked by different groups each with distinct dress codes. For more detailed census & deprivation info see http://arcg.is/IRaS4CS

The Diocese of Hereford

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The Craven Arms group of parishes is part of the Condover Deanery in the Archdeaconry of Ludlow, within the Diocese of Hereford. Hereford is the most rural diocese in the Church of England and covers the whole county of Herefordshire, Southern Shropshire, and a few parishes in Worcestershire, Powys and Monmouthshire.

The Anglican ParishesThe Craven Arms Group of Parishes consists at present of four parishes – St Margaret’s, Acton Scott; St Thomas, Halford; St John the Baptist, Stokesay; and Holy Trinity Wistanstow. As well as being four parishes it is three distinct benefices. This plurality is currently suspended and pastoral reorganisation is being pursued to create a more integral benefice. Of recent note St Thomas Halford have recognised that they can no longer sustain being a separate PCC.

The history is that Halford with Sibdon Carwood has been held with Stokesay since the 1980s. Acton Scott came under the care of the Priest in Charge of Stokesay and Halford in the mid 1990’s. We have a Local

Ministry Development Group and an enthusiastic and active core of retired clergy.

The four parishes cover an area of around 19 square miles, much of it located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) within the Shropshire Hills.

We are a predominantly rural area with small hamlets and the larger township of Craven Arms, with its good local facilities, including a railway station.

South Shropshire is a wonderful place to live. We offer an exciting opportunity to the successful applicant to develop a ministry which is an integral part of our community, helping us to grow spiritually as individuals and as churches.

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Please see the Shropshire Council web site; shropshire.gov.uk for information on the services and amenities available in and around our parishes (click on ‘maps’ link at foot of home page to access local information.

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The Deanery of Condover

Condover Deanery, in the shape of a bell hanging from the southern edge of Shrewsbury, has 38 churches. Although covering a fairly large area, the population amounts to only 18,000 people, of whom 12% are on the electoral rolls. As with a bell, the weight is on the outside of its shape, along the main roads: A49 Shrewsbury to Craven Arms, and A458 Shrewsbury to Much Wenlock. The middle of the Deanery is more sparsely populated. Six and two-thirds stipendiary clergy benefice posts serve the seven groups of parishes. In addition, there are 5 voluntary licensed clergy, several formal and informal lay ministry teams, five readers, and more than a dozen active retired clergy. The Chapter of licensed clergy meets monthly (except in August) including two lunch-time meetings (cafe in Lent, pub in summer) and a quiet day. Twice a year the meeting is thrown open to the wider range of readers and retired clergy. Appropriately for a rural deanery, we represent a broad sweep of churchmanship. We have benefited from the ministry of women, both in reader ministry and priestly ministry.

The Deanery Synod meets three times a year. The Standing, Mission and Pastoral Committee has a representative from each of the seven groups of parishes. It includes the Deanery Officers and conducts the business of the Deanery Synod between meetings, as well as fulfilling the role of Deanery Pastoral Committee. We have made full use of the Mission Fund allocation from the Diocese, and in recent years have paid in full the Deanery Share gathered from all the Parish Shares. The Deanery Pastoral Plan values the commitment of all Christians to loving service and gives full value to the ministry offered by voluntary ministers, non-stipendiary ministers and retired clergy and by Readers, local ministry development groups and other initiatives in lay ministry.

The Deanery of Condover is in good heart, the collegiality of the clergy and readers continues to develop and we are looking at ways in which we can support each other in expressions of mission, ministry and outreach.

The Methodist District and Circuit9

As part of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District, the Shropshire and Marches circuit is currently made up of 10 ministers serving 68 chapels and their communities alongside lay employees and volunteer teams.

In very different locations across the circuit you will find Methodist congregations engaged in ministry within local schools, residential homes, housing estate outreach projects, alternative mid-week worship, Messy Church as well as sustaining traditional forms of church life.

As part of the call to love our neighbours the Methodist church has worked in partnership with the Hereford Diocese in the development and continued financial and learning support of the Borderlands Rural Chaplaincy which offers a confidential, listening ear and pastoral support to farmers, farming families and agricultural communities.

Craven Arms Methodist church sits within the central section of the circuit and holds a prominent position within one of the towns busiest streets, offering an excellent location as an outreach base for the pioneer project.

Finances – The post costs in real terms £55,000. This will be jointly funded. The parishes are seeking to ensure their Offer is realistic so that they contribute to the actual costs of supplying a full-time stipendiary post. This in practice is a challenge. The Methodists have committed themselves to providing £10,200 per annum on the basis of an initial three year but renewable programme to those overall costs. This is in line with and consistent with their funding practice.

Vicarage – This is a modern detached house, on the Clun Road, near Craven Arms town centre. Centrally heated and double glazed. The study is off the front entrance hall, divided by a door from the main living accommodation and comprises: a large lounge with open fire, dining room, large kitchen and cloakroom downstairs and an open plan staircase leading to upstairs landing, four bedrooms and bathroom with shower. There is ample parking at the front of the house with a single attached garage. Trees and a stream border the rear garden.

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Administrative Support – The parishes currently fund 3 hours per week administrative support. This has been used primarily to assist with the production of the weekly and special service sheets and generally to assist with the administrative process.

The Challenge

The fundamental challenge is to reach a new and younger generation with the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ. The vision is to grow Christians and Church. This is consistent with the first key strategic priority of the Diocese of Hereford (SPI) and the Methodist priority of responding to the gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission. It will further require fresh thinking in respect of the shape and form of mission and any new mission community that grows from this work. There is an expectation that new forms of ministry and church will emerge in a form that reimagines their ecclesial shape to be relevant and effective. This is consistent with the diocesan third strategic priority (SP3)

SP1: Numerical and Spiritual Growth SP2: Contributing to the Common GoodSP2: Reimagining Ministry

Both the Diocese and the Methodist District have a growing body of expertise and experience in developing Intergenerational and Missional Communities. The Diocese with the help of Church Commissioners’ funding have established six new intergenerational missioners posts. These missioners, and linked to others doing similar work have formed a learning and support network and in relation to it a wider learning community. Whoever comes will

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be able to connect with what is already an established core of leaders based around a missional learning community.

The Post

There are so many opportunities to reach out to people who do not attend church and to those who do not yet think about God. The work typically associated with parish ministry has up until now taken up all the time of the clergy making it very difficult to do anything new. After several consultations and public meetings there is a consensus among our committed church members to pursue a new strategy.

The new strategy will have several elements.

Shared Ministry: In the deanery and locality there are a good number of active and able retired clergy. They give generously and freely of time and service. This is something that they value and enjoy. Consequently, many aspects of the regular ministry are able to be undertaken by this team.

Lay coordination: What is presently lacking is a more formalised coordination of the active retired clergy. An ideal would be for one lay person to take administrative responsibility for the rotas and another to act as coordinator to let the clergy know who needs pastoral visits and care. This will need to be put in place. The local ministry development group is at present small.

Leadership oversight: If this approach is formalised the person appointed will have the formal cure of souls. Matters of governance, finance and oversight will remain with this office. However, theirs will be a role

of delegation and support. In practice the requirement to oversee and through regular meetings ensure all is working effectively is intended to be light.

Release to focus on Evangelism and Discipleship: The priority is for a person to bring vison, energy and a confidence in the gospel. The ability to draw others into faith in Christ will be of primary importance.

There is agreement that whoever comes needs to be gifted and able to consistently devote their time to being a pioneer priest. Building relationships with the vast majority of people living in our communities who have nothing to do with traditional church is the

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focus. We believe also that many of them have not actively rejected God, they simply haven’t heard or thought about faith.

There is good work already on which to build. Jointly the Methodists and Anglicans run a Messy Church in the Methodist Church. Through this, good contact is being established with several parents and children. Open the Book is well established in the schools. There is also a Filling Station that seeks to encourage and renew active service.

At this point it would be wrong to be too prescriptive as to how best to pursue growth. However, a focus towards youth, families and schools will be essential. Craven Arms has significant meeting places in relation to all three. Initially the ministry must focus on developing relationships where and when people meet. Whichever the best means the vision is a fresh and new community of faith that has the hallmarks of church. It is to be a community that takes discipleship seriously and from whom it is expected leaders will emerge.

The Traditional Parishes Churches and Congregations

In making this appointment careful consideration is being to the already established parishes and congregations. It remains our conviction that the traditional patterns are life giving and that a good deal of effective mission and ministry is conducted through life events and the existing patterns. They need to be cherished and individuals given pastoral care as is needful. A sustainable pattern of Sunday worship must be maintained. This missional opportunity is not set at the expense of the traditional or of those who need that care and who need to continue to know whom to seek for their pastoral care as set out in the strategy. As part of the consultations the retired clergy have been present and contributed positively to the conversations. There is a good deal of willingness on their part to provide for the weekly worship and the pastoral offices. Given the number of retired clergy locally and their already active service it is envisaged that the majority of this ministry will be shared and delegated among them. As indicated the duty to oversee this ministry will rest with whoever is appointed. The aim is not an abdication of the oversight but a responsible delegation and coordination that frees the appointee to the task of being a pioneer in mission.

Ministry Review

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Whoever is appointed will be subject to Common Tenure and to Ministry Review. Given the new aspects of this ministry it will be important to keep the work under review. The Diocese of Hereford are using the growth cycle as a tool for mission, evangelism and discipleship and as with our Intergenerational Missioners it will be expected that careful monitoring and a supported assessment of progress will form an important part of the work.

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