St Luke’s Chaplain to the Inner City

Anglican Diocese of Christchurch

Have you a creative spirit with a zest for life, want a new challenge and a sense of adventure?

Have you a heart for inner city ministry and would be excited at the possibility of engaging with the people and the life of the city?

Are you an ordained Anglican priest or deacon in good standing in the Anglican Communion?*

If so, you are invited to make an application for the newly created position of St Luke’s Chaplain to the Inner City based at Christchurch Cathedral, and if appointed will –

• Be part of the praying community of the Ministry Team of the Cathedral.
• Encourage, sustain and maintain contemplative spirituality amongst all people and sectors, of all faiths and none.
• Be immersed in and engaged with the life and issues of the inner city of Christchurch, its sectors (including business, government, social services, arts, media etc), its events and festivals, its people.

The St Luke’s Chaplain to the Inner City will be accountable to the Dean of Christchurch and to the Bishop of Christchurch who will license the appointee upon appointment

For background information on the role, a detailed position description, and application details, please contact Veronica Cross, Executive Assistant to the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch (bishopsea@anglicanlife.org.nz)

Applications will close at 5 pm Monday 11 October 2021

*Due to restrictions on migration and travel to New Zealand, even for NZ residents and citizens, applications from Anglican deacons or priests from outside of New Zealand will only be considered where the applicant is already eligible to come to New Zealand to live and to work.

 St Luke’s Chaplain to the Inner City of Christchurch

Job Description

Vision

“Touching the sacred, Serving the inner city”

The job description here is intended to be permissive rather than prescriptive but the job is intended to be strongly associated with the Transitional Cathedral (and later, the Cathedral in the Square) in the wider context of the mission of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch.

It is envisaged that the appointee will be an Anglican priest or deacon.

Key responsibilities

To be part of the praying community of the Ministry Team of the Cathedral.

As part of that praying community,

• to be responsible for the weekly contemplative Eucharist at the Cathedral, including preaching and (if a priest) presiding at the Eucharist, and arranging a roster of other clergy to preside on a regular basis;
• to share in the worshipping life of the Cathedral, including being available from time to time to preach at and/or lead services in the Cathedral, and (if a priest) to preside at Sunday Eucharists;
• to preach in other churches of the Diocese and in other churches, especially churches in the inner city of Christchurch;
• to regularly worship in and be nurtured by one of the ministry units of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch.

To be immersed in the life of the city in order to:

• encourage, sustain and maintain contemplative spirituality amongst all people and sectors of all faiths and none;
• Serve the inner city of Christchurch, its businesses, its events, its people.

It is understood that the appointee may have strengths such that one of these becomes a stronger part of the position than the other.

To work with others in creating expressions of spirituality in ways which touch the sacred in daily life and therefore supporting initiatives in the city which are responding to human need by loving service, which seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation and which strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

To arrange liturgies and celebrations for significant festivals and public celebrations/events [Matariki, summer and winter equinox, City events like Buskers’ Festival etc., garden festivals, peace festivals etc.]

To support the network of those offering spiritual retreats and other such events etc. in Canterbury.

To work with people of other denominations and other faiths in promoting and sharing contemplative spirituality.

To create opportunities and be available for pastoral conversations: e.g. being around in the Cathedral Square; “creative wasting of time”; accept invites to openings, exhibitions, any opportunity where there is a chance to meet and build relationships including with business owners, office and shop workers, those with homes to go to and those without homes.

Key deliverables

To be agreed once the appointee is in position.

Relationships

The Chaplain to the Inner City will be accountable to the Dean of Christchurch and to the Bishop of Christchurch who will license the appointee upon appointment. 

The Chaplain will report on a regular basis to the Cathedral Chapter and the St Luke’s Trusts Advisory Committee and each body will offer appropriate advice and collegial support to the Chaplain. 

The Chaplain will foster collegial relationships with faith, civic, business, and NGO leaders in Christchurch City.  The role is not intended to duplicate the work of Christchurch City Mission, but the Chaplain will also be expected to have a collegial relationship with that ministry.

Ideal applicant

A soul nourished by a deep spirituality and practice of contemplative prayer;

A heart for inner city ministry excited to engage with the people and life of the city;

A mind for good scholarship with a liberal/radical edge;

An understanding of contemporary Anglo-Catholic liturgy; 

A creative spirit with a zest for life, a new challenge, and a sense of adventure;

A team player as well as self-motivated with ability to set and achieve goals;

A commitment to anchor their prayer life in the corporate prayer of the Cathedral.

Appointment

The Bishop and Dean, in consultation with the St Luke’s Trusts Advisory Committee will make the appointment.

The appointee will be paid the standard stipend, housing allowance and other allowances of the Diocese of Christchurch.

The appointee will be paid via the accounts of the Transitional Cathedral with the grant from CPT for the position being paid to the Transitional Cathedral.

Office accommodation will provided within the Transitional Cathedral or its precincts.