3 DAYS PER WEEK / 0.6 FTE
Southern Community Church of Christ (SCCC) is an active community of faith located in Cheltenham, a bayside suburb of Melbourne, Australia. We are a mainstream contemporary Church with a strong desire to relate the teaching of Jesus to our community. We strive to be open and accepting, welcoming and valuing people of all ages, beliefs, cultures and backgrounds.
SCCC has a long and rich heritage over more than 160 years. Throughout that time the Church has developed and changed as the community around it has changed. Currently the Church comprises of a predominantly ageing demographic which this position, working together with the current team, actively seeks to address. New people are emerging, innovation and regeneration is our priority.
Day to day our Church is a hive of activity. We are in partnership and share our facilities with the Cheltenham Community Centre (CCC), a ‘Neighbourhood House’ and Childcare facility, an initiative of SCCC over 35 years ago. We also neighbour and are in strong relationship with a retirement village. This year we have established a community garden and have begun offering transitional housing for Asylum Seekers as we expand our outreach focus.
With the opportunities before us we are actively discerning the model of church and staffing requirements that will best serve the local community, trends and needs.
Our Vision:
To be an open community of people exploring relationship with God, self and others, following the way of Jesus.
Our Values:
- People Matter: we value diversity, inclusion, and empowerment of all people.
- Community Matters: we aspire to generously serve the community, meeting human needs and addressing injustice.
- Spirituality Matters: we aspire to communicate the Christian faith and values with clarity, creativity, grace and compassion.
- Life Matters: we aspire to support and offer resources to people in their pursuit of wholeness and wellbeing.
Location: 2-12 Chesterville Road, Cheltenham, Victoria 3192
Responsibilities
The person we are seeking will appreciate the ethos of SCCC and continue to ensure that the Church remains open to people at all stages of their faith journey, allowing differences of belief and culture to flourish and produce the rich, diverse canvas of relevant Christianity that is SCCC’s face to our community.
The person will:
- have a demonstrated passion for God, people and serving in faith community.
- be open to new expressions and possibilities of faith community.
- be a team player keen to see the revitalisation of an ageing church.
- have high interpersonal and communication skills.
- be someone who can birth new avenues of connection with the local community. They may be a place-maker or faith community / church planter or innovator. We are aware that not all the people we hope to connect with as a church will gather and worship on Sundays. We are open to other possibilities and groups supported, discipled, mentored, accountable and connected as part of the Church.
- have a focus on intergenerational / families ministry or young people. This may include multicultural and diversity in ministry, the priority being a younger cohort than the current demographic of the Church.
- work towards developing a discipleship stream within this focus area.
- be keen to engage with people of all ages in a community centre setting, especially those in the above focus area.
- perform some general ministry duties, including Sunday participation in Sunday activities, as we work as a team to discern, pioneer and plan.
Key Prerequisites:
- Relevant qualifications in theology and ministry formation or equivalent experience in ministry leadership.
- Accredited and affirmed as an Endorsed Minister with Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania, or willing and able to work towards this status. Accreditation and Endorsement criteria can be found by clicking this link.
- Willingness and ability to sign the Statement of Compliance under the Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania Practice of Ministry Code of Ethics.
- Willingness to comply with and work within the Safe Places standards of Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania.
- Be an Australian resident.
Remuneration:
Terms and conditions of employment will be as outlined in the Victoria-Tasmania Churches of Christ Recommended Terms and Conditions of Employment of Ministers unless varied by mutual agreement and noted specifically in the Ministry Employment Agreement. The remuneration package will be based on the current recommendation of the Victoria-Tasmania Churches of Christ, amended annually as recommended by Conference Council.
Performance Appraisals:
There will be a 3 month probation period for this appointment, and performance will be appraised annually.
Commencement Date: The position is currently available.
Click here to view position description
Application process
Expressions of interest, any questions, or a cover letter and resume should be directed to:
Monique ten Hoopen
Lead Minister
monique@southerncofc.org.au
(03) 8541 9710