Job Description

Church Outreach Leader – Children and Family Focused

Job Summary

Founded over 350 years ago but with its eyes firmly fixed on the
future, Bunyan Meeting, an Independent Church, has a unique and compelling
heritage on which to build that future.

One of our early Ministers, John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, spent
many years in prison in order to secure his vision of a church, independent of
the state, living out the truths of the Gospel through its everyday life.

Will you accept the challenge to play your own unique part in our history by
working with us to shape our future?

Based in the Market Town of Bedford, you may also need to travel in pursuit of
best practice thinking and action in church life in the 21st Century.

The role is full time and some of the activity will require working at weekends.

The main purpose of the role

(1) To develop and lead outreach and pastoral work amongst families and
children at Bunyan Meeting.

(2) To work with all age ranges when outreach opportunities are identified
which span more than one generation.

Line Management: This will be undertaken by Revd. Chris Damp MA BD

Key responsibilities

(1) Initiate and lead the development of our Mission Objective of engaging
with families and children in our community. This will require the
identification of particular sectors of Bedford life to which Bunyan
Meeting can make a contribution and give support to those sectors.

(2) Identify the routes and support needed to bring about that
engagement.

(3) Identify and implement ways of bringing the message of the Gospel in
ways relevant to those for whom this is not part of their experience.

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 (4) Work with those in the church already engaged in extending our
worship to all ages, ensuring that no opportunities of working together
are missed. Help to ensure accessibility for those unfamiliar with
worship in church. Assist in the introduction of new worship styles and
formats which will enhance our outreach. These could include, Café
Church, ‘Messy Church’ and ‘Fresh Expressions’. Explore the possibility
of ‘daytime’ church, relevant to those who are at home on weekdays.

(5) Initiate, develop and maintain links with Schools, the University and
other Youth and Family Organisations in Bedford and the surrounding
area.

(6) Initiate/assist in generating ideas and projects, relevant to the

community, which bring people into the buildings and helps them to
understand the church, its ethos and its everyday life and activities. In
this respect utilise all the resources of Bunyan Meeting including the
church itself, the John Bunyan Museum and the ‘Basement’ (a flexible
and creative space). Work with those in the church who have specific
responsibility for each of these facilities to take advantage of all that
they provide.

(7) Where opportunities occur, enable individuals new to the church to

nurture and develop their understanding of the Gospel through prayer,
study, action and relationships, offering this development personally or
through introduction to established church groups.

(8) Ensure pastoral care of all those who we engage with either personally
or through the pastoral care team.

(9) Work alongside our church Safeguarding Lead to ensure that our Child
Protection and Safeguarding policies are continually updated and
adhered to.

(10) Produce reports/make presentations to Church and Trustees meetings

when required in order to update on progress and request additional
support requirements.

(11) Work with the Communications Team to ensure all of our Families and
Children’s activities and initiatives are publicised and communicated in
ways relevant to the audience.

(12) Utilise the skills of those in the existing church community to support
delivery of the ideas generated and ensure that the church is equipped
to take forward the ongoing mission and outreach programme.

(13) Provide occasional input into ‘traditional’ Sunday services so as to

maintain a presence before the whole church.

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 Salary and Benefits

➢ This is a three year fixed term contract.

➢ Starting salary will be in the range of £27k to £30k depending on

qualifications and relevant experience. (Salary could be slightly higher for
an exceptional candidate).

➢ Twenty eight days holiday plus statutory holidays.

➢ Appointment is to the Bunyan meeting staff team and ultimate

accountability is to Church Meeting through the Deacons.

➢ Appointment to the role is dependent on a recent and satisfactory

enhanced DBS to work with children and vulnerable adults.

➢ Appointment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references.

➢ The working week is 35 hours, with flexibility including evenings and

weekends.

➢ Travel and other expenses incurred while undertaking the various duties
will be reimbursed.

There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the post holder to be a

practicing Christian in accordance with the Equality Act 2010

GS 28/07/22 First Draft

Updated 14/12/22

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