Families and Youth Worker

Applicant Pack

Milford Baptist Church, New Road, Milford, Godalming, GU8 5BE

www.milfordbaptistchurch.org.uk

Dear Applicant

RE: FAMILIES AND YOUTH WORKER - MILFORD, SURREY

Thank you for your interest in the role of Families and Youth Worker. I am delighted to provide you with further information, and we hope that this applicant’s pack will give you some insight into the role, and also some impressions of Milford Baptist Church (MBC).

This is an exciting period for the church as we develop a new vision for a new decade. What is already clear is that children, families and youth are at the heart of this. MBC is situated in a village that will rapidly expand in the near future, and we are well placed to respond to the potential growth in families and youth work. We look forward to welcoming a new families and youth worker to join us in developing our plans as we seek to Live, Share and Celebrate Jesus.

I would encourage you to visit our website to find out more about MBC: https://www.milfordbaptistchurch.org.uk/

If you would like an informal discussion about the role or arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01483 382331 or drop me an email: simon_bodington@yahoo.co.u k

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

Rev Simon BodingtonMBC Moderator

CONTENTS

1. Introduction2. Job description3. Person specification4. An overview of current children, youth and families work at MBC5. How to apply6. Safeguarding

1. INTRODUCTION

MILFORD BAPTIST CHURCH (MBC)

MBC is situated in the village of Milford, in Surrey. Milford is a large village, to the south west of Godalming. The towns of Guildford and Haslemere are both only 7 miles away. Farnham is 8 miles to the west. Milford has a railway station which is on the mainline between London (Waterloo) and Portsmouth Harbour station.

MBC was set up as a Baptist Church in 1983 with twenty five members from Godalming Baptist Church and has grown over the years into a thriving village church which plays an important part in the Christian life of the village. The ministry of the church is wide ranging and centres on bringing the Good News of Jesus to everyone in the village and further afield.

Some years ago the church set up a Pre-School, Stepping Stones, which is held on the church premises on a daily basis during term time and currently employs five staff and has been graded by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’ at its last inspection in 2015.

We are currently in a period of interregnum, and are being led by Simon Boddington, our committed part-time moderator, and a Church Leadership Team of 10. MBC is seeking to develop a new vision for a new decade - a significant part of which is focusing on our opportunities for children, youth and families. You may have experience in youth, families, or both, but be assured that the CLT and the wider church, will support you in championing growth in this area.

The church has run youth and children’s work with dedicated volunteers since it was first established. Since 2007 the church has had a dedicated youth/children’s worker leading this work, fulfilling a variety of roles across a range of age groups within the church and local community.

Many of the youth and children’s groups that are run are attended in the majority by unchurched children that come to the weekday groups.

2. YOUTH AND FAMILIES WORKER - JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Families and Youth Worker

Accountable to: The Families and Youth worker will report to a designated member of the CLT, closely supported by the moderator and one other CLT member, whilst there is a pastoral vacancy

Location: Milford, Godalming, Surrey

Salary: c. £25,000 dependent on experience and qualifications

Contract: Permanent, full time

Hours of work: 40 hours per week, including Sunday mornings and some evenings.

One designated free day per week

Start date: As soon as possible

What will my main goals be? With the support of the CLT, play a key part in devising and delivering a strategy for the

growth of the children’s and families’ populations within the church To nurture existing young Christians in their spiritual walk, and to foster opportunities for

children and families in the community to find and grow in faith, including preparation for Baptism

To network with the local community through other local churches, schools and other agencies to provide outreach activities and develop new ones.

What will I be doing? develop relationships that inspire, disciple and mentor young people in exploring the

Christian faith build on the programme of existing activities for children, youth and families within MBC

and in the local community to draw existing and new children, young people and families in the area to the church

contribute to growing the church family lead and co-ordinate the Easter Club at MBC organise and lead residential trips for the youth build networks with other local churches develop links with local schools, clubs, agencies to help MBC engage and contribute more

within the community and create new ways of ‘being church’ organise and administer the children, youth and families work at MBC

Who, in MBC, will I be working with and what will they expect?

our designated member of the CLT, closely supported by the moderator and one other CLT member, whilst there is a pastoral vacancy, will work closely with you

our existing families, youth and children’s volunteers will look to you to provide strategic direction, leadership, encouragement and training as you work with them on existing and new ideas/projects

the new volunteers who will be attracted, trained and developed by you our leaders of 18+ groups that support transition from youth to adulthood the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the CLT’s Safeguarding Trustee on any relevant

matters all our groups of children, young people, and families with whom you will pray regularly

How will I contribute to the wider church? occasionally lead services, particularly when relevant to families and youth ministry work alongside the CLT lead for families, youth and children’s work, to represent the needs

of children and their leaders within the life of the church attend CLT meetings and other meetings relevant to families and youth work as necessary produce reports and updates for the CLT and make representations at church meetings as

requested.

How will you support me? regular updates with the moderator support from your allocated mentor and prayer partner a church that’s keen to get to know you, support and pray for you, and help you to be

happy and succeed in your role!

Anything else? you will need to work in accordance with MBC policies including safeguarding, risk

assessment, data protection, health and safety any other appropriate tasks that may be required as both the role and church develop

3. FAMILIES AND YOUTH WORKER - PERSON SPECIFICATION

*Given the nature and context of the work it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder to be a committed Christian.

Attributes Requirements

Education and training

1. A good standard of written and spoken English (GCSE English C/level 5, or equivalent)

2. A nationally recognised qualification in youth/children’s/families work or relevant experience

3. Safeguarding awareness/training.

Experience 1. Be a committed Christian*2. Experience of leading/co-ordinating activities for families and young

people3. Experienced in effectively leading and working within a team4. Experience of working in schools and local church setting.

Knowledge and skills

1. Working knowledge and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children and young people

2. A clear understanding of children and principles of youth/children’s work3. Excellent skills in working with children and families4. IT literate, including use of social media and word processing5. Good presentation skills6. Good pastoral and communication skills appropriate for connecting with

children, interacting with the church family and reaching the community.

Qualities 1. Have a mature understanding of the bible and the ability to communicate it

2. Pastoral heart with a passion for youth and families ministry3. A strong Christian role model with a commitment to engage in

professional and spiritual development4. Be self-motivated with good organisational and time management skills,

working flexibly as necessary5. Able to initiate and carry through projects6. Able to develop positive relationships with young people and families7. Respect for matters of confidentiality and sensitivity.

Other 1. Able to fulfil the safeguarding requirements of the role including an enhanced DBS disclosure and checks with previous employers

2. Have access to appropriate transport for travel within the local area.

4. FAMILIES, YOUTH AND CHILDRENS WORK

The following details illustrate the activities that have taken place over the last year, much of which we are continuing to run through volunteers. We hope that it gives you flavour of the potential for families, youth and children’s work, and gives you the opportunity to consider how you may like to take this work forward. This is a guide, and candidates would be encouraged to see this as an opportunity to develop the role, especially with regards to younger children and young families.

WEEKLY GROUPS

BE.KIDS-FRIDAY AFTERNOON

This group is for ages 5-10 and takes place at Milford Baptist Church with a team of volunteers. We provide a safe place young people can engage in fun activities, including games in the dark, amazing crafts, baking, ball games and fun with a Christian input. This term we have been looking at the parables of Jesus. This tends to be a steady, popular group where children start off and then progress through to the other older groups.

BE.FRIDAY-FRIDAY EVENING

This group is for ages 11-14. The evening consists of a café, games, and the opportunity to learn about Jesus in a way that will empower them in a new way. We go out sporadically to trampoline parks, pirate golf, laser quest and play games over the common in the summer. This is always an incredibly popular group, and currently has a strong group of about 10, usually with boys outnumbering the girls.

Some of these teenagers are very dedicated and volunteer at the younger group. This means that we all enjoy a meal together between the two groups, which has grown in popularity and now has a minimum of 8 present for fish and chips every week.

BE.SUNDAY-SUNDAY EVENING

This group is for ages 15-17. These evenings consist of more social activities, usually food orientated!

This is a much more relaxed group with less bible input, and is more focussed on the social aspects of how to live out who God has called them to be. This has temporarily been paused as there is a lack of youth in this age group.

K – CHURCH -SUNDAY MORNINGS

Running every Sunday morning for children aged 11 and under. The numbers in this group have declined over the last year, but it is still prepared every week.

DOT CHURCH (DISCUSSION OVER TOAST) -SUNDAY MORNINGS

Running every Sunday morning, this new group has flourished. Attracting both churched and unchurched youth aged 11+ it has steady numbers and focusses on a topic of discussion over breakfast.

TODDLERS-THURSDAY MORNINGS

This is a very well established group that runs very Thursday morning within the church. It is attended by many parents and toddlers from the local area, and has been the first point of contact in the Christian life of many present members of the church. It is run by a large group of volunteers.

STEPPING STONES PRE-SCHOOL

Run within the church each day during term time. Church members, pastors and youth workers have all made regular visits to the pre-school to share stories and activities.

OTHER GROUPS & EVENTS

MESSY CHURCH-TWICE A TERM

MBC takes the opportunity to work closely with the other two churches in the village namely, St John’s Church (C.E.) and St Joseph’s (Catholic), including occasional joint services. Members of MBC assist in running a ‘Messy Church’ ministry in the village hall approximately six times a year with members of St John’s Church.

EASTER CLUB

Every year we have a three-day Holiday Club over the Easter Holidays. This attracts up to 70 children from reception to year 6 from the local schools and community. It is one of our biggest forms of outreach, and involves a large amount of volunteers who cheerfully help each year.

RESIDENTIALS

We have found residential trips to be a great way of building the faith of young people and their relationships with one another. Our youth groups love to attend Spring Harvest at Easter and occasionally dabble with Soul Survivor in the summer. Recently they have enjoyed going to Big Church Day Out, and this is fast becoming a yearly tradition. They have found these trips to be a great place for them to meet God away from home, with supportive friends around them, and enjoy a great programme of teaching and opportunities to draw near to God in worship and prayer, whilst surrounded by those of the same age.

5. HOW TO APPLY – APPLICATIONS AND CLOSING DATE

An application pack and form may be found on the church website: https://www.milfordbaptistchurch.org.uk/youth-vacancy/

Completed application forms should be emailed to Brian Pollard, our church secretary: brianepollard@gmail.com by 4pm on 20th February 2020.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role or arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact our moderator, Simon Bodington, on 01483 382331 or email: simon_bodington@yahoo.co.uk

6. SAFEGUARDING

As a church we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this. Our safeguarding policy is available on our website: https://www.milfordbaptistchurch.org.uk/safeguarding-policy/