Priest-in-Charge
Christ Church Birkenhead
Full Time
An exciting opportunity to develop mission in Birkenhead
We are seeking a priest-in-charge for this urban parish of central to open evangelical tradition, in the town of Birkenhead. There are excellent relationships with the church school. You would be joining a committed team of lay leaders, including a church administrator, and there is also an active retired ordained colleague. A well-appointed vicarage is provided.
The new priest-in-charge will be someone who:
* is able to offer an example of faith and discipleship which is inspiring to others and witnesses to the servanthood of Christ;
* can discern, along with others, the needs of the parish within the wider context of mission;
* is committed to outreach in a deprived inner city parish
* is committed to working with others in the parish such as the school, and community groups
* will encourage the congregation to live out their faith in everyday life, Monday to Saturday, not just on a Sunday.
* will lead formal liturgical worship such as BCP and Common Worship yet be open to initiating creative fresh expressions
* will foster a good safeguarding culture in the parish to ensure that church is a safe space for everyone.
Closing date for applications: 30 June
Interviews: 19 July
Prospective applicants are welcome to discuss the post with the archdeacon:
The Ven Dr Michael Gilbertson
Archdeacon of Chester
01928 718834 ext 253
07921 040154
Please note: The Diocese of Chester will not interview any candidates for posts if they cannot provide an assurance of a valid DBS and up to date safeguarding training.
The Diocese of Chester is in the province of York in the Church of England, part of the global Anglican Communion. For more information about our life, ministry and work please visit our website We are linked with the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands and the Dioceses of Aru and Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Diocese covers an area of 1025 square miles, approximately the old Victorian County of Chester, including parts which subsequently became absorbed into Merseyside and Greater Manchester. The Rivers Mersey and Tame approximately delineate the boundary with Liverpool and Manchester. There are areas of dense urban population, mainly in the north, stretching from Birkenhead to East Manchester. There are prosperous suburban regions of West and South Wirral, Chester and south of Manchester, with a mainly rural heartland, bounded by the Derbyshire Pennines and the Welsh Border. The overall population is around million. The Diocesan Bishop is Mark Tanner, Bishop of Birkenhead Julie Conalty and the Bishop of Stockport is Samuel Corley. The Cathedral for the Diocese is in Chester. The Diocese is divided into two archdeaconries: Chester covering the western half and Macclesfield the eastern, each with nine deaneries. There are 273 parishes, about 100 of which can be described as rural. Compared with many dioceses, there are few teams, and few multi-parish benefices. There are approximately 231 stipendiary clergy. The ministry of Readers and Pastoral Workers is important, with over 400 licensed. The role of self-supporting ministers is increasing, with over 80 in post at present. Roughly speaking, the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield covers that part of the diocese to the east of the M6, plus the area around Crewe and Nantwich. The Archdeaconry of Chester covers the rest of the diocese to the west of the M6. Each archdeaconry has a broad mix of urban and rural parishes. The Archdeacon of Chester lives in Chester, and the Archdeacon of Macclesfield lives in Congleton. Both now work from Church House, Daresbury.