Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and guide individuals exploring lay ministries while delivering training programmes.
- Company: Join the Diocese of Chichester, dedicated to fostering faith and community in Sussex.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexi-time, remote work options, 28 days leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others grow in their faith and discover their calling.
- Qualifications: Theologically articulate with experience in adult education and effective training skills required.
- Other info: Role involves travel across the Diocese and occasional evening/weekend work.
The predicted salary is between 33500 - 44500 £ per year.
Could you oversee the delivery of our strategy for lay vocations and ministry in Sussex? Our Apostolic Life team leads our mission and ministry across Sussex and supports us to live out our vision to “Know, Love and Follow Jesus” in the Diocese of Chichester. We want to enable lay Christians to grow in faith, helping them discern the ministries to which they may be called, and training and equipping them to carry these out.
The principal duties include:
- Offering support and guidance to individuals interested in exploring and/or developing their calling to lay ministries.
- Identifying, planning, and delivering new opportunities for training and CMD.
- Leading the selection of Readers, Authorised Lay Ministers, and Lay Apostolic Workers.
- Overseeing the provision of training programmes including the Bishop’s Certificate, the Living Faith course, Authorised Lay Ministry, Lay Ministers of Communion, and Reader training and CMD.
- Overseeing the design, development, and ongoing running of the diocesan Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to enable an online training provision across the diocese.
Our ideal candidate will:
- Be theologically articulate.
- Have the ability to identify gifts and talents and encourage individuals who are discerning their lay vocation and training needs.
- Have experience in planning, developing, and leading adult education or training programmes.
- Be an effective and inspiring trainer with the ability to deliver training to a diverse range of people and theological traditions.
- Possess good IT skills, knowledge, and experience.
What we offer:
- A salary of £39,140 per annum for 37.5 hours per week.
- Flexi-time and the opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home for part of the week.
- 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and two privilege days per year.
- Membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a generous 15.1% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 0-6%.
- Free parking, the ride to work scheme, and development opportunities.
The post will involve travelling around the Diocese, some evening work, and occasional work at weekends. Chichester DBF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment and comply with the relevant safeguarding policy.
For an informational conversation about the role, please contact the Director for Apostolic Life, The Revd Canon Rebecca Swyer (Rebecca.swyer@chichester.anglican.org). Please apply via Pathways by midnight on 26th January 2025. Interviews will be held at Church House, Hove on 6th February 2025. For more information about the Diocese of Chichester, please visit https://www.chichester.anglican.org/.
Officer for Lay Ministry and Training employer: Church of England
Contact Detail:
Church of England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Officer for Lay Ministry and Training
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Diocese of Chichester's mission and values. Understanding their vision to 'Know, Love and Follow Jesus' will help you align your conversation and demonstrate your commitment to their goals during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in similar roles within the Diocese. They can provide valuable insights into the culture and expectations of the position, which can help you tailor your approach when discussing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in adult education and training. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led training programmes, as this is a key aspect of the role and will showcase your suitability.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider how you can demonstrate your theological articulation and ability to identify gifts in others. Think of scenarios where you've supported individuals in their vocational journeys, as this will resonate well with the responsibilities of the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Officer for Lay Ministry and Training
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements. Make sure you understand the mission of the Diocese of Chichester and how your skills align with their vision.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight relevant experience in adult education, training programmes, and any theological qualifications. Emphasise your ability to support individuals in their lay vocations and your IT skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for lay ministry and training. Discuss specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to inspire and guide others in their faith journey.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any errors. Ensure that your application is clear, concise, and free from typos to make a strong impression.
How to prepare for a job interview at Church of England
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of the Officer for Lay Ministry and Training. Familiarise yourself with the specific duties mentioned in the job description, such as overseeing training programmes and supporting individuals in their lay vocations.
✨Showcase Your Theological Knowledge
Since the role requires being theologically articulate, prepare to discuss your theological background and how it relates to lay ministry. Be ready to share examples of how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles or experiences.
✨Demonstrate Training Experience
Highlight your experience in planning and delivering adult education or training programmes. Prepare specific examples of successful training initiatives you've led, focusing on how you engaged diverse audiences and adapted to different learning styles.
✨Prepare Questions
Have thoughtful questions ready to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the current training programmes, the challenges faced in lay ministry, or how the Diocese supports ongoing development for its staff.
