Purpose
To take the lead in creating and developing an exciting, safe, fun and vibrant children’s and youth ministry at St. Nicholas’ Allington that sees children come to and grow their faith in Jesus.
Introduction
This role builds on the great work of our previous post holder and our amazing volunteers at St. Nicholas’ over many years. The role will require elements of building on existing ministries and pioneering new ones within our church and the wider community.
We connect with 40 children during term time (at school and through our pre-school groups in church) and typically see between eight and 12 on a Sunday.
We are privileged to work with the three primary schools in our parish and are excited to grow these relationships. We also have established links with two pre-schools. At key festival times we welcome the schools into church to hold their services.
The uniformed organisations (Scouts and Girlguiding) that meet in our church hall during the week currently attend three Parade Services a year.
Other community initiatives include Experience Easter, Journey to Bethlehem, JAHFA (our youth group), Messy Church, Mums and Babes, Year 6 Reflection Space, school visits and school assemblies.
We want the successful candidate to develop the vision for ministry and mission related to children, youth and families, but we do not expect you to do it all. It’s our desire that the post holder will lead and empower teams of volunteers.
Reporting to
The Priest-in-Charge (in the absence of the Priest-in-Charge, a designated Church Warden)
Responsibilities
Due to the varied nature of church ministry and mission, the list of responsibilities and tasks are not exhaustive, but aim to provide an overview of what the role may involve. The order in which these tasks are listed does not reflect their respective importance.
Leadership & Vision
- Work collaboratively with the Priest-in-Charge, ministry leaders, and volunteer teams to support the church’s mission and vision.
- Provide pastoral leadership and strategic oversight of ministry with children aged 0-11 at St Nicholas’.
- Steer development of youth ministry (12-18) in conjunction with the Priest-in-Charge.
- Contribute to all-age worship, parade and seasonal services across the church year.
- Plan and deliver creative, engaging, and spiritually formative programmes.
- Develop new initiatives to help children and families engage with faith.
- Lead Children’s Church and JAHFA.
- Lead and develop Messy Church in collaboration with the Priest-in-Charge.
- Lead Mums & Babes sessions.
Outreach & Community Engagement
Develop and lead outreach for children and families not currently engaged with church (for example, expanding Mums & Babes, building relationships with parents and encouraging wider church engagement)
Coordinate children’s outreach during holidays and special events (expanding Messy Church, JAHFA, and holiday clubs).
Build and sustain relationships with local primary schools through assemblies, lunch clubs, pop-up prayer spaces and visits.
Family & Pastoral Care
- Offer pastoral care and support to children and their families.
- Communicate regularly with parents about vision, teaching, events and children’s spiritual development.
- Create opportunities for parents to connect, pray, and build community.
- Support the Priest-in-Charge with preparing children and their families for Baptisms
- Promote inclusion, adapting provision for children with additional needs or disabilities.
Team Leadership & Development
- Recruit, train, support, and develop volunteer teams.
- Encourage sustainability by enabling others to lead key ministries.
- Participate fully in the St Nicholas’ core team, attending meetings and team events.
Safeguarding & Best Practice
- Uphold safeguarding, health and safety in line with Church of England, Diocesan, and parish policies.
- Ensure safeguarding procedures, training, DBS checks, and risk assessments are in place and followed.
- Support safeguarding administration and promote environmentally sustainable practice in children’s ministry.
About You
Essential
- A living Christian faith, with a genuine desire to help children grow in their knowledge and experience of God.
- Good, growing knowledge of the Bible and enthusiasm for sharing faith in age-appropriate ways.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding principles and best practice.
- An excellent team player, able to relate well to children, families, volunteers and church leaders.
- Confident organisational, planning and communication skills.
- Willingness to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends.
Occupational Requirement
Please note that there is a genuine occupational requirement that the holder of this post is a committed Christian and will need to be, or become, a member of St. Nicholas’ Church.
St. Nicholas’ Church is committed to safeguarding and to promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Desirable
- Qualification or training in children’s ministry, teaching or a related field.
- Experience working across a range of ages and/or within schools.
- Experience leading creative or prayer-based children’s ministry.
- Proven experience delivering children’s ministry and supporting children’s spiritual development.
- Experience in recruiting, training and supporting volunteers.
- First Aid/ Mental Health First Aid certification.
- A creative, positive and self-starting approach, with a heart for inclusion and outreach.
What We Offer
- A warm welcome, our prayers and our practical support.
- Our commitment to a shared vision in growing the scope and responsibility of the role.
- Support of a part-time employed parish administrator.
- Opportunities for growth in prayer, spirituality and collaboration with other leaders across the Deanery and within the Diocese of Canterbury.
Terms of Employment
Hours
25 hours a week (including Sundays and other days/evenings as required)
Additional hours to be agreed with the Priest-in-Charge as necessary.
Salary
£13.45/hour, equivalent to £24,479 pro-rata annual salary for 25 hours/week
Holidays
Pro-rata allocation of 25 days (FTE) per annum plus bank holidays
Pension
St. Nicholas’ will pay the equivalent of 4% annual salary into the C of E Church Worker’s Pension Scheme.
Work Base
St. Nicholas’ Church, Poplar Grove, Maidstone ME16 0DE
This post is subject to an enhanced DBS and all relevant pre-employment checks.