Pastor in Training

Hope Church Tolworth

Context for the role:
Hope Church Tolworth launched in November 2024, with people from both Cornerstone Church Kingston and Emmanuel Tolworth.
We gather every Sunday for a morning service. We run regular home groups, women's Bible studies, tots groups, youth Bible study, and prayer meetings. Over the past year, we have also
launched a range of outreach and training activities, including door-knocking, prayer walks, an Easter holiday club, Christianity/Hope Explored, Bible-handling training, a summer fun day, Halloween outreach, an outdoor Christmas service, and a church away day.
Since launching we have seen encouraging growth, increasing our average Sunday attendance from 77 to 85. We currently employ one full-time pastor and one part-time administrator, working from a rented office in Tolworth. The eldership has been greatly encouraged by the evident spiritual growth among existing
members and by people coming to faith. God is clearly at work among us, and we are eager, Lord willing, to build on the gospel work already begun, while prayerfully exploring new
opportunities for ministry.
Adding a pastor in training to our staff would mean we have more of a team-based ministry. It would provide increased opportunities for collaboration, mutual encouragement, and
complementary leadership, benefiting both the trainee and the wider church family.
Purpose of the role:
The vision for this role is twofold: to equip and train a new pastor for future gospel ministry, and to strengthen and develop the ongoing ministry of Hope Church.
Key responsibilities:
A Sending Vision
Hope Church aspires to be a generous, sending church-one that uses our resources wisely not only for our own good, but for the growth of God's kingdom beyond our local context. We
recognise a significant and growing nationwide need for well-trained gospel workers. In response, we propose to fund and train a pastor in training, investing intentionally in their theological education, spiritual growth, and practical ministry experience.
We are committed to providing support through regular coaching, supervision, and access to formal theological training. Our desire is that this role would prepare the trainee for long-term
pastoral ministry, whether that ultimately takes place at Hope Church or elsewhere.
Strengthening Ministry at Hope Church
Alongside this outward-looking vision, employing a pastor in training would bring immediate benefits to the ministry of Hope Church. The elders have carefully considered whether our
current needs would be best met by appointing a specialist (such as a youth or children's worker) or a generalist. We have concluded that a generalist pastoral role would best serve the
present and future needs of the church.
A pastor in training would be expected to:
• Assist with general church ministries.
• Assist with leading and preaching in Sunday services
• Support the development of an additional service, potentially on a Sunday evening.
• Train and equip children's and youth ministry volunteers.
• Explore new and creative ways to engage with and evangelise the local community
• Disciple those who are new to the Christian faith
• Develop further ministries and outreach initiatives in line with the trainee's gifts and strengths
• Assist with Pastoral Care
• Be an elder and attend elders' meetings
• Attend and be involved in CoMission events
• Be in and possibly lead a Gospel Community
• Attend and contribute to staff meetings
Formal training
Alongside ministry responsibilities, we expect and will support you in part-time theological training via appropriate theological education. Details of appropriate training will be decided
together with the Senior Pastor according to gifting and previous experience.

Required Skills

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required
Essential
• Evidence of the formation of character and gifting consistent with 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus1:6-9
• A sense of calling to pastoral ministry, so far affirmed by the local church
• Teachable, servant-hearted and prayerful, with a humble dependence on God
• A heart for people, discipleship, and the local church
• Theological alignment with The Co-Mission Churches Trust Statement of Faith
• A passion for ministry in a diverse urban context
• Willingness to live and engage in the local community
• Ability to work in a team and under supervision
• Proactive, self-motivated and able to manage own workload
Desirable
• Some prior ministry or church leadership experience
• Experience of expository preaching
• Gifts in communication, teaching, and pastoral care
• Cultural awareness and experience in diverse contexts
Other
In line with Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, it is an occupational requirement for the post holder to:
• Be an evangelical Christian, committed to the church's beliefs, ethos, and doctrinal distinctives.
• Be male, in accordance with the church's theological convictions on male eldership and pastoral ministry.
This role involves work with children and/or vulnerable adults. Hope Church Tolworth is committed to safeguarding and all applicants will be subject to our safer recruitment process.
The job holder must have the right to work in the United Kingdom.

A cover letter - setting out your interest in the role and how you meet the requirements listed in the job description - and a CV should be sent to: hr@cmct.london with a copy to bart.erlebach@hopechurchtolworth.org

Apply for this job

If you're interested in this job please:

Email Tamas Csejtei at:
tamas.csejtei@cmct.london

This job has been listed by an FIEC Church. We are a family of more than 600 independent local churches with a heart to see the gospel of Jesus making a difference through our nation.

Find out more about FIEC and how you can get involved.