Assistant Pastor (Children and Families)

Job Title: Assistant Pastor (Children and Families)

Location: Garland Street Baptist Church, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Employment Type: Full time 37 hours per week including evening and weekend work. (We would consider shorter working hours or part time options (Six-month probation).

Salary: £25,000 (FTE) to £28,000 (FTE) depending on experience

There is an occupational requirement that the post holder is a practicing Christian.

Reports To: Minister and Deacons

Role Overview: Garland Street Baptist Church is seeking a passionate, dedicated individual to join our team as an Assistant Pastor with responsibility for Children and Families. We are an established Church based in the centre of Bury St Edmunds with a God led vision to develop our existing children’s and families work and to build stronger relationships with our community. This exciting role means you will play a key role in nurturing faith, building relationships, and creating a welcoming environment for children and their families. Whilst working with the Minister, leadership and existing volunteer teams we see the successful candidate will be instrumental in the development and implementation of a children and family’s strategy and will be able to shape this role for themselves as we reach more families.

Our Church: A bit about us, 2025 sees Garland Street Baptist Church celebrating our 225th Anniversary, we have a rich history of reaching people in our town and community with the love of God. Post pandemic we cast a God led vision which has seen us grow and become a multi generational and multi-cultural church. We seek to always be in the best position to faithfully serve and react to God as He evolves His Kingdom in the context of GSBC and our local community. You can find out more about us on our website.

Why are we recruiting for the role of Assistant Pastor with responsibility for Children and families: We are committed to the children and families in our fellowship, those on a Sunday but also at our Arise youth group on a Friday. We want to see them spiritually grow, whilst developing and growing this ministry at GSBC. We believe this requires an Assistant Pastor, with responsibility for Children and families, who will work alongside our minister, leadership and church teams to fulfil our God led vision.

Responsibilities 

Children and Family’s Ministry:

• To be the point of contact for children and families in the church and the local community.

• Foster meaningful relationships with children and their families, encouraging and developing their spiritual growth and ensuring their voices are heard in the life of GSBC.

• Plan and actively lead our current programs for children; Sunday school and Arise youth group on a Friday night.

• Develop additional programs for children and families both in the church, and with a focus to connecting and reaching out to the community.

• Carry out other such duties as the church may from time-to-time request, commensurate with the responsibilities of the post. The duties listed above may be varied from time to time without changing the essential character of the post.

 

Development and Training:

• Explore opportunities to develop new initiatives that respond to the needs of children, young families, and the wider community.

• Undertake appropriate training as offered and encouraged by the church for personal, professional and spiritual growth.

• To regularly share in leading worship, particularly where children and families attend.

• Collaborate with other churches or organisations to exchange ideas and resources for enriching our children and family’s ministry.

• To cultivate opportunities to work closely with local primary, secondary and pre-schools within the community.

 

Qualifications and Skills:

• A personal Christian faith and alignment with the ethos of a Baptist Church.

• Experience working with children, young people, and families in a church, community, or education setting.

• Someone who is a “people person” and who enjoys spending time with people and inviting them along to the activities and events that we hold.

• Strong communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to deal positively and constructively with change.

• A leader able to inspire and relate to children and young people.

• The ability to work autonomously, managing your own diary and prioritising tasks in conjunction with the minister and deacons (Leadership team).

• A willingness to learn and grow spiritually and professionally.

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues when they arise with compassion.

• To place safeguarding and risk assessment at the front of all aspects of your role, meetings, planning and execution of activities, to ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.

 

How to Apply: Please send your covering letter and completed application form (downloadable from our website www.garlandstreet.org.uk/vacancies ) to admin@garlandstreet.org.uk If you require more information about this role, please contact Adrian Mundell adrian.mundell@garlandstreet.org.uk or 07738 487518.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on 12 June 2025, with interviews after 23 June 2025.