Drawing up a Person Specification for inclusion in a Parish/Benefice/Team Profile

Guidelines

Discuss in each PCC,DCC, JPCC, as appropriate, what kind of minister is needed.  Talk about what you have achieved in recent years as a church and what you need to move on to next.

A person specification should be linked to your vision and priorities for the immediate future.

A multi-parish benefice will be looking, in particular, for a man or a woman who has experience of collaborative ministry, knows how to encourage key lay people and build a ministry team/s.

You will want to include statements, as appropriate, about the sort of areas outlined below:

General ministerial skills and expertise

You might have a particular strength in your church/es  e.g. a strong teaching tradition that you wish to continue

Skills linked to the particular development needs and mission of your church/es

For example work with young people, schools work, or community development skills to enable your churches to make a contribution alongside other agencies.

Skills linked to the identified needs of the congregation/s

For example, prayer development, particular training skills

Particular skills

For example, proven experience of team working, team leading, collaborative ministry, as appropriate - ecumenical experience

Working Conditions

Expenses, holidays, support networks available, commitment of the parish/benefice to the personal development of the applicant – retreat etc.

It is not legally permissible to include requirements about marital status, sexuality, political persuasion, age or children.