Church of England Birmingham believes that healthy churches should grow.
We are seeking a mission leader who can help parish churches grow in discipleship, leadership, confidence and fruitfulness so that more people encounter, follow and grow in Jesus Christ.
The Head of Parish Growth will provide strategic leadership for parish growth across Church of England Birmingham. Building on the Mission Planning approach already established across parishes and Oversight Areas, the postholder will help develop the next phase of mission planning, discipleship pathways and parish growth initiatives. They will establish and lead a team of parish growth specialists and will coach clergy and lay leaders to turn vision into action and aspiration into measurable change.
This is a role for an experienced practitioner with a proven track record of enabling church growth and developing leaders. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate how their leadership has contributed to sustained growth in discipleship, leadership, mission engagement or the formation of new Christian communities.
Reporting to the Director of Mission and working closely with the new Head of Church Planting & Revitalisation and Head of Growing Younger roles, the postholder will help shape and deliver a joined-up approach to mission, discipleship and church growth across Church of England Birmingham.
Context
Church of England Birmingham is committed to seeing churches grow at the heart of every community. The Mission Support Team is structured around three interconnected areas of focus: Parish Growth, Church Planting & Revitalisation, and Growing Younger.
The role will foster a missional culture that reflects all five marks of Mission with particular emphasis on the first two:
To proclaim the good news of the Kingdom
To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
and with a deep understanding of how these Marks of Mission are interwoven with those of loving service, justice, and care for creation.
Key Responsibilities
Within the remit given by the Director of Mission and the Parish Growth Theme Board the following:
- Provide strategic leadership for parish growth across Church of England Birmingham.
- Build on the Mission Planning approach already established across parishes and Oversight Areas.
- Develop and lead a team of parish growth specialists.
- Develop coherent approaches to mission planning, discipleship and leadership development.
- Establish new ways of working in contexts where growth is traditionally hard e.g. our rural communities, areas with a high percentage of other faiths.
- Initiate and deliver appropriate ways to train leaders in specific growth initiatives.
- Coach clergy and lay leaders to enable sustainable growth.
- Lead initiatives that strengthen evangelism, discipleship, leadership development and local mission.
- Work collaboratively with the Head of Church Planting & Revitalisation and Head of Growing Younger.
- Contribute to the prayerful culture of the Mission Support Team.
Person Specification
Essential:
- There is a genuine occupational requirement that post-holder be a practicing Christian.
- Proven track record of enabling sustained church growth.
- Experience of leading within a growing church, network or ministry.
- Effective coach of clergy and lay leaders.
- Experience of leading and developing teams.
- Experience of managing staff team colleagues and volunteers’
- Strong understanding of mission, discipleship and leadership development.
- Good understanding of Church of England structures and parish life.
Desirable:
- Experience of mission planning models and organisational development.
- Experience of church planting, revitalisation or new worshipping communities.
- Relevant theological qualification or equivalent experience.
Terms & Conditions
Salary and Pension: Salary of £42,230 plus membership of the Church Workers Pension Scheme with 12% employer contribution.
Contract: Fixed-term appointment for five years.
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week.
Holidays: 5 weeks plus Bank Holidays and 3 discretionary days.
Responsible To: Director of Mission
Closing Date: 25 June 2026
Interviews: 10 July 2026 (in-person, Birmingham)
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community: a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work.
We welcome applications from any individuals who feel they meet the person specification for this post, particularly those who are currently under-represented within our staff teams, including people from Global Majority Heritage and UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQI+.
We offer a range of inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and wellbeing support for our staff teams.
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All postholders are expected to share this commitment.