Associate Pastor

Woodlands Church Family; West of England; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The Woodlands Church Family is seeking an Associate Pastor to lead our Young Adults ministry and help oversee the Discipleship Year. You will work closely with Central Senior Leaders and the WCF Academy Lead to develop and resource ministry across the city of Bristol.

This is a permanent, full-time role based at Woodlands Central, requiring discretion, teamwork and a passion for Jesus and His church. The position offers a salary band of £31k-£33k with generous holiday entitlement.

Qualifications

• Experience leading youth and young adults ministry.
• Ability to work with volunteers and staff in a church setting.
• Strong communication and confidentiality in handling sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Young Adults Ministry and oversee the Discipleship Year.
• Support Sunday services and events.
• Collaborate with Central Senior Leaders and WCF Academy Lead.
• Be part of the staff team to release ministry and mission.

Skills

Strong communication

Discretion/confidentiality

Team leadership

Pastoral care

Initiative

Youth ministry

Job description

The Woodlands Church Family (WCF) is a vibrant, growing family of churches with eight sites located across the city of Bristol. Our vision is 'to transform Bristol through the love and power of God' as we create spirit-filled, visible communities of faith in neighbourhoods across the city.

Each congregation is distinct in their style, but we all share the same vision, mission and values to be communities which are welcoming of everyone, authentic in our faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit and expectant of all that God will do in us and through us.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our team as an Associate Pastor. This role offers a unique opportunity to support our Central Senior Leaders Rachel Riddall and Nigel Savage with a focus on helping to lead our Young Adults ministry and investing in raising up the next general of young adults and support and our WCF Academy Lead, Tim Dobson overseeing the WCF Discipleship Team.

Woodlands Central is a thriving city resourcing church, and we are looking for someone with a mature gifting in ministry, with strong communication skills, who is passionate about Jesus and loves the church. A secure and proven leader.

About The Role

This role will carry the significant responsibility of leading our Young Adults ministry. It will also involve helping to lead our Discipleship Team programme as well as helping us deliver Sunday services and events. Candidates should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, able to take initiative, work well in a team and be committed to see the church community grow in their faith and reach the city for Jesus.

Key areas of work for the position of Associate Pastor at Woodlands Central include:

• 1. Lead Young Adults Ministry - We have a large Young Adults community made up mainly of people in their 20’s and 30’s who play a vital part in our church. Our vision is to see many Young Adults come to faith, to disciple them in community and see them released into ministry and mission in the power of the Spirit. The Young Adults lead is to be a figurehead of this ministry and to lead through the many leaders we have within the community to fulfil this vision.
• 2. Oversee the WCF Discipleship Year - We run a Discipleship Year programme for young people who volunteer to serve the church and seek to grow in their faith. This role is about investing in them and delivering the programme, working closely with the Woodlands Church Family Academy Training Lead.
• 3. Resourcing Sunday Services - Support the smooth running of Sunday Services. This involves being a constant presence on Sundays at our services and joining a congregational service team.
• 4. Staff Team - Be part of the wider staff team to help release the church into ministry and mission.

When undertaking this role there may be times when you come across confidential information, therefore it is imperative that you are highly discreet and maintain confidentiality.

Key Terms

• Permanent, contracted full-time position (5 days/37.5h per week) delivering four days a week to supporting the Central Senior Leaders and Young Adults Ministry and 1 day to supporting the WCF Academy Lead overseeing the WCF Discipleship Year. We will also consider part-time applicants.
• The salary band for this role is £31k - £33k, depending on experience.
• The annual holiday entitlement is 25 days pro rata plus 8 days bank holiday pro rata.
• The role will be based at Woodlands Central and there is a requirement should the post holder relocate to Bristol they will become a worshipping member of Woodlands Church Family at Woodlands Central.
• The detailed terms and conditions will be contained in the post-holders Contract of Employment and the staff handbook.

Right to Work in the UK

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that all our employees have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Therefore, please only apply if you are eligible to work in the UK as we will have to verify this before you can start work.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 22nd November 2026. However, this vacancy will close once we have sufficient applications.