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Finding a new Vicar
A second recruitment round is now being undertaken for a new
incumbent. The post is being advertised in the Church Times on
27th January and 3rd February.
The PCC and Bishop Stephen
have given more thought to ensuring our vacancy is attractive.
Bishop Stephen has written a new introduction to our profile.
He writes:
"Having enjoyed the ministry of one priest for a great
many years, St John's Church now looks forward to appointing
a new priest who can help them discover and take forward God's
mission in Crowthorne. Although there has been a long period
of stable ministry - and this is reflected in the profile - the
church recognises that there must now be change and development
so that the church can meet the challenges of the 21st century
and build upon the foundations of the past. In particular the
church is looking for someone who will help them engage with
some of the changes that have taken place in the church in recent
years. For instance, the church wants to develop its priorities
for mission and evangelism, and to explore new ways of worshipping.
What is needed most is a spiritual leader who will love and care
for the church and help the church fulfil its vocation and potential.
St John's is set in the heart of the community. There is a strong
and committed congregation and able lay leadership. In the Reading
Episcopal area, and as part of the Oxford diocesan vision and
strategy, we are always looking to appoint priests who have a
heart for mission, a desire to serve, and a vision for shared
and collaborative ministry. Building on the good work of the
past, this post presents a wonderful opportunity for an experienced
priest to lead and pastor the church."
The Parish Profile has been
refined. Our vision/ mission is set out as:
To make our Lord Jesus Christ known and loved throughout Crowthorne,
through the life of his Church
- By being a focus of worship
and prayer
- By demonstrating God's love
through the way we live.
- By seeking opportunities to
reach out and involve people in God's purposes for the world
- By offering friendship, fellowship,
prayer and support for everyone.
- By offering teaching on Christian
faith and life
It is noted that St John's
is built on a traditional foundation of worship and teaching
but we recognise the need to change, to develop and, in some
cases, to let go of things. We would wish the new incumbent to
help us to focus on what is essential and enable us to breathe
fresh life into our traditions.
These areas include:
- Deepening our spirituality,
the life of prayer and knowledge of the Bible.
- Experimenting with different
types of worship and widen the scope of the music;
- Encouraging vocations to ordained
and lay ministries in their widest sense.
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- Developing our lay pastoral
visiting group supporting people with short/long-term needs.
- Being open to the ministry
of women priests whose ministry has not yet been experienced
by our church
- Leading in mission and evangelism
in a church that, although quite strong numerically, has never
really had a developed outreach strategy
- Enhancing youth ministry amongst
non-Church-going young people and strengthen links with uniformed
organisations and other youth groups.
- Enhancing outreach to the
community particul-arly amongst the men, including through CTC.
- Developing closer personal
links with the Missionary organisations we already support.
- Developing stronger Deanery
links; e.g. joint teaching and training courses and openness
to sharing a youth worker.
The profile sets out "Who
We Are Looking For". We are a 'broad church' set in the
catholic tradition of the Church of England. We are looking for
a priest who will value this tradition, but also work with us
to give it fresh expression in a way that will be life-giving
to a new generation. At the moment our worship is centred on
the Eucharist. We want this to continue, but we recognise the
need to try other things.
We are not looking for a priest
who will do all this for us, but one who will inspire us with
a vision for God's kingdom, and work with us so that the whole
church, and every member of the Christian community, can discover
their part in God's great mission of love.
We hope our new Incumbent will
be
- An experienced spiritual leader,
a person of prayer who, knowing their own need of God, is able
to lead others to a fuller knowledge of God.
- Someone with a vision for
the church in the 21st century who can think strategically, help
us set priorities for the future and who can lead the church
in its evangelistic mission.
- A good teacher, trainer and
communicator with the ability to listen.
- An inspiring motivator, with
the ability and confidence to delegate and empower others.
- Someone who can engage with
the wide range of abilities and age groups in our church.
- A pastor who will care for
our church and help us to care for the wider community.
All these things are important,
but undoubtedly the first is the most important. We want someone
who will help make God more real for us.
Applications will be considered
by the appointing panel including the Bishop and the two parish
representatives (Ken Perrett and Pauline Williamson). It is hoped
we will have a new vicar by the summer. Meanwhile the vicarage
has now been let out for six months. |
