Co-Lead Pastor – Community Outreach & Pastoral Care in Preston

Why work for Fulwood Free Methodist Church? Senior leadership role at the heart of a growing, multi-generational evangelical church.

• Relocation allowance (reasonable costs covered)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 8% employer pension contribution (NEST)
• Two leadership conferences annually, fully expensed
• Death in Service Cover and Employee Support Service

A warm, faith-centred team environment with a strong co-leadership culture. Fulwood Free Methodist Church exists to be a loving and welcoming community of people who follow Jesus and aim to make Him known. Established 48 years ago, the church has grown to around 400 people across three Sunday services, with youth and children’s work, a network of 20 homegroups, and community ministries including Toddlers, Lunch Break café, Inspiration Crafts, Alpha and a CAP Centre.

The local authority has approved 5,000 new homes within 10 minutes of the church, plus a new high school nearby. Fulwood sees this as a God-given opportunity to take the Gospel into the growing community.

Working in partnership with the Co-Lead Pastor for Teaching & Leadership Development, the new Co-Lead Pastor will provide spiritual leadership, lead and inspire the staff team, and drive community outreach, pastoral care and young adults ministry. This is a genuine co-leadership model built on collaboration, shared decision-making and mutual support.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Share spiritual and strategic leadership with the Co-Lead Pastor and Trustees
• Lead and develop the staff team, fostering a collaborative and growing culture
• Inspire and lead evangelism and outreach to a fast-growing local community
• Oversee pastoral care, building and supporting a team of lay pastoral carers
• Develop young adult ministry, homegroups, and help shape plans for future church planting

This role is ideal for an ordained pastor (or someone eligible for ordination) with proven experience in pastoral leadership, a passion for evangelism, and a heart for shared, collaborative ministry. While Fulwood Free Methodist Church is rooted in Wesleyan Arminian theology, applicants do not need to come from a Methodist background, provided they are fully aligned with this theological position.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. For further details please have a look at the candidate pack. For an informal chat to ask any questions, please contact Nick Thomas, Senior Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Please apply through the Charisma Charity Recruitment website with your CV and supporting statement. Applications are being reviewed on receipt and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. When a suitable candidate is found the role will close, so please apply without delay to avoid disappointment.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9, it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practicing Christian.