We are actively seeking a person to develop and lead our children and families ministry, covering children from birth to primary 7, their parents and carers. The post-holder will build on existing activities and establish new ways of working with children and families; review the current ministry offered; and assess and define the longer-term staffing needs in this critical area of church life.

Our Vision is to ‘Love God, Love Others and Make Disciples.’

This is an exciting opportunity to join a church that is committed to developing both its ministry to our local community as well as enhancing our church life with our members. It is an opportunity to shape a generation.

This post is offered on a fixed-term basis for 3 years and will be subject to PVG Scheme membership. Full Time hours are 35 per week.

Local Profile:

Tillicoultry is situated in the area known as The Hillfoots, nestled below the Ochil Hills. It has a population of around 5000 people. There is a Primary School and secondary-age children attend Alva Academy, 2 miles away. Tilly Baptist is centrally located within the town, with premises at the intersection of High Street, Moss Road, and Murray Square, where the local bus service stops. There is a selection of shops, cafes and a bistro on High Street and a retail outlet at Sterling Mills, off Moss Road.

Tilly Baptist is a growing evangelical fellowship, with expanding children’s and youth groups. The church was established in 1893 and we have recently acquired a second building from the Congregational Church, which sadly closed following the COVID pandemic.

Team Player:

Tilly Baptist has a Pastor who completes the majority of the teaching and preaching. There is also a Pastoral Care team. The post-holder must be comfortable in a team situation, making a positive and supportive contribution within the Pastoral Care team, in relation to the children and families under their remit. The post-holder will work closely with the Leadership Team, operating within the direction they set for the Church, and with the Youth Ministry Team, seeking to develop continuity between the two ministries.

Tillicoultry Baptist Church SCIO, 163 High Street, Tillicoultry, FK13 6DS, SC052310

Theology:

The post-holder should have been baptised as a believer and most certainly be aligned to the theology and principles of Tilly Baptist Church and the Baptist Union of Scotland, as outlined in the church’s constitution:

tillicoultrybaptist.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tillicoultry-BC-SCIO-Constitution-Dec-2022.pdf.

Strategic overview:

Tilly Baptist has since its inception had a volunteer-led ministry to children. The post-holder will commence with a strategic review of children’s ministries in the Church, and the support provided to volunteers. Throughout the period of the post, the post-holder will provide overall co-ordination for this ministry.

Working with children and families:

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and developing ministry with our existing children’s groups and their families and reaching out to families beyond our current circle, developing personal relationships and nurturing their faith in Jesus Christ. You will be passionate about offering the gospel to all and comfortable in sharing the Gospel with, and providing support to, unchurched parents and carers encountered through the church’s community outreach.

We are looking for someone committed to living out their Christian faith and modelling this to those with whom you work. You will be creative in ensuring the inclusion of all our children, their families, and their friends. You will also appreciate the importance of teamwork within our church, and you will contribute to the wider mission and outreach.

The post-holder will have a heart for children and families ministry and will be comfortable and competent in teaching and working with children and their parent(s)/carer(s) and will examine the content and context of what the children are taught, and the other activities and events that form part of the ministry. To this end a qualification relevant to the post is desirable but by no means essential and so candidates with evidence of considerable relevant experience will also be considered.

Supporting parents:

Recognising the challenges faced by Christian parents in seeking to raise their children in a post-Christian world which appears increasingly hostile to the gospel, the post-holder will support parents in nurturing their children in the Christian faith, and will, in partnership with the Pastor and Pastoral Care team provide pastoral care for all families connected to the children’s work. The post-holder will partner with parents both in terms of helping to equip parents for the task of sharing their faith with their children, and ensuring the parents are involved with and invested in the children’s ministry in Tilly Baptist.

Supporting leaders:

Children’s ministry in Tilly Baptist has been solely run by volunteers. The post-holder will support and encourage volunteer leaders, providing training, and promoting children’s ministry within Tilly Baptist, encouraging others to become involved.