Priest-in-Charge of St Francis, Strood

Tags:

Job Title:

Priest-in-Charge of St Francis, Strood

Position type:

Clergy post

Parish Name:

St Francis, Strood

Area:

Rochester Archdeaconry

Work Terms:

Full-time

Applications Deadline:

16/08/2026

Interview Date:

TBC

Other Information:

Could God be calling you to help St Francis make Christ known in Strood West?

The Bishop of Rochester is seeking to appoint a vibrant, evangelical-orthodox and Spirit-led priest to lead this intergenerational and outward-facing church as it looks to build on existing strengths and develop their mission.

This is an exciting time for the parish.  They have already been through a remarkable time of revitalisation, and are now ready and waiting for their next chapter of long-term growth and sustainability.  Usual Sunday Attendance has tripled since 2022, and regular giving has increased by 72% after the 2024 stewardship campaign.  Relationships with the local schools are excellent, and more than 700 children were reached through Christmas and Easter ministry.

The parish (pop. 16,500) is in the Medway Towns, just west of the River Medway and close to historic Rochester and the North Downs.  It is mainly residential, but with a strong sense of community amongst its mix of people and cultures.

The church was planted from St Nicholas Strood and opened for worship in 1962.  Worship is contemporary and accessible, identifying closely with New Wine.  Their new priest will need to value both Sunday worship and the wider, extensive midweek mission which is important to them.

The ideal candidate will be someone who:

• Has a deep understanding and experience of God's love, and seeks encounters with the Holy Spirit.
• Upholds an evangelical-orthodox and Biblical perspective of the Christian faith, including in matters of sexuality and marriage. You will need to be aligned with the Evangelical Alliance Statement of Faith.
• Has a proven track record of growing churches numerically and spiritually.
• Is a collaborative, experienced leader who is ready to build healthy relationships with key people and networks and empower their Team.
• Devotes time to personal prayer, intercession and growing their own relationship with the Lord.
• Has excellent connections with New Wine or the Evangelical Alliance.

Their vision is to bring the Good News to everyone through the power of His Holy Spirit, seeking to create and grow disciples of Jesus and build-up the Kingdom of God.

You will be supported in this ministry by a number of active servant lay members and ministry leaders, an experienced PCC (including a full complement of Officers), a Missional Outreach Coordinator and an employed Parish Administrator.

For full details of the parish and the story of St Francis' revitalisation in this part of Medway, please see the accompanying Profile and visit the church website St Francis Church

For an informal discussion with Archdeacon Sandra McCalla about this vacancy, please email Fiona Porter in the first instance fiona.porter@rochester.anglican.org

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