Families Pastor, East Coast Anglican

Families Minister
Anglican Parish of the East Coast, Tasmania

Location: East Coast, Tasmania
(Swansea, Triabunna, Bicheno, Orford – approximately 1 hour from Hobart)

Job Type: Full-time (part-time or trainee positions will also be considered)

Closing Date: when filled

About Tasmania’s East Coast

This slice of paradise features the iconic Freycinet Peninsula and Wineglass Bay, stunning mountains, beaches and weather and the pedestrian-only Maria Island National Park with its abundance of wombats and Tasmanian devils.

The main population centres are Triabunna & Orford (population 1600), Swansea (population 1000) and Bicheno (population 1000), with the total population approaching 5000. Each town is quite different, but all are popular places for tourists and retirement. The main industries are agriculture and tourism.

There are four schools, one of which has 200 students and caters all the way to year 12, there are plenty of children and younger people in the area, along with a large number of older people.

About the Parish

This expansive parish covers over 2500 square kilometres!

East Coast Anglican is an evangelical church in a rural part of Tasmania. After two years without a minister, the parish appointed a full-time minister at the beginning of 2021, and are focusing on prayerfully leading people to follow Jesus, grow like Jesus and serve for Jesus.

There are weekly Sunday church gatherings in Swansea and Triabunna which combine traditional, contemporary and all-ages elements. They hold occasional church gatherings in the small farming community of Woodsdale, and Christmas and Easter celebrations in a hired church building in Bicheno. There is also a monthly chapel service at the May Shaw Residential Aged Care home in Swansea. There are several thriving small groups.

Under God, they are looking for opportunities to introduce local families to Jesus and see them come to him in repentance and faith. They have recently started an after-school primary kids club with 10-12 kids attending regularly. In partnership with the Salvos they run a weekly free lunch at the RSL for anyone who wants company.

They have dreams of starting ministries including a playtime for kids and their parents/carers, and a regular BBQ after church on Sunday to connect with the Kids’ Club Families. There are lots of opportunities to creatively share the gospel with the communities of the East Coast of Tasmania – they are looking for someone to partner with them to pray, plan and share Jesus in this beautiful place.

About You

You are someone who wants to make disciples of Jesus among children, youth and their families. You have a heart for drawing alongside people and sharing the gospel with them, and you love doing ministry with kids and young people. You have a vision for living in and reaching small towns with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Essential Criteria:

• Experience sharing Jesus with young people and children
• Able to build positive connections within the community

Desirable Criteria:

• Degree/diploma from a theological college
• Experience beginning new ministries
• Self-motivated
• Team player
• Able to work with technology

About the Diocese

Bishop Richard Condie, the current Bishop, wants making disciples of Jesus to be at the core of everything we do. He also highly values training and support for church leaders – this includes each ministry leader in the Diocese having a coach/mentor, being in a cohort with others at the same life/ministry stage, and money and time given from the parish for professional development each year.

The current group of clergy/ministry leaders (about 80 in total) meet together twice a year and are highly supportive of each other in gospel partnership.

Find out more at the Anglican Diocese of Tasmania website.

Conditions

• Information about stipends and allowances in the Diocese is found here
• Housing or a housing allowance will be provided
• Appointment will be subject to fulfilling Safe Church Communities requirements, including a Tasmanian Working with Vulnerable People Card and completion of a satisfactory Safe Ministry Screening Check.

How to apply

To express your interest please send a cover letter, CV and details for two referees who can speak to your character and ministry skills to ben@eastcoastanglican.church.

For further information, please contact the Rev Ben Allen, Rector of East Coast Anglican, on 0407 242 522.