Team Vicar - Discipleship Lead in Wigan

Church of England; Wigan; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Church of England in Wigan seeks a Team Vicar – discipleship lead, an ordained priest who is a creative missioner and relational leader, to grow disciples and empower local church teams.

You will guide mission and discipleship across seven churches in the Wigan hub, serving a community of over 45,000, and engage with regeneration and wider town life.

Qualifications

• An ordained priest who is a creative missioner, discerning where the Spirit is at work and guiding disciples.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of mission and discipleship in the Wigan parish hub.
• Collaborate with local church leadership to empower and grow disciples across seven churches.

Job description

Church Wigan: Team Vicar – discipleship lead

Overview

We are looking for a priest who is a creative missioner who discerns where the Spirit is atwork, and helps others to do likewise and join in and a relational leader who draws alongside local church leadership teams in an empowering and inspiring way and is able to help parishioners grow as disciples of Jesus in a manner that reflects the context and culture.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for an ordained leader who longs to invest their time, energy and faith in growing mission-minded disciples rather than the business of simply running a parish.

You will lead the development of mission and discipleship in the parishes of Wigan Town Centre and Wigan Central which work together and share resources as a single ministry ‘hub’ and consisting of seven churches including the ancient Parish Church serving a population of 45,413.

Wigan itself is undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration of its town centre around an artisan food hall and vision to bring back residents and lively activity. There is an active veterans’ centre serving the thousands of Wiganers who are connected to the Armed Forces. A college with 14,000 16-18 year olds. One of the largest and best CoE high schools. The world’s best rugby league team (certainly according to Wiganers), a Youth Zone and large grassroots sports club. A growing cultural scene around food and drink which goes beyond (but never forsakes) pies. An innovative Council and award-winning hospital trust, lots of green spaces and a burgeoning reputation as a great place to live.

The vicarage is a well appointed 4-bedroom detached house which enjoys a central location in the parish and is just three quarters of a mile from the centre of Wigan and all its amenities: two shopping centres, supermarkets, cinema, restaurants and sports stadium all within easy reach.

It is also well located for access to motorways leading north, south and west. Two train stations are nearby in the town centre enabling you to reach the hearts of Liverpool and Manchester within 45 minutes. If you like walking or cycling, the Leeds- Liverpool Canal towpath is a short distance away. If you’ve got the stamina you can reach the seaside in one direction, or if you go the other way you can discover Wigan’s industrial heritage and historic pier. A well-regarded primary school is just a few doors away and the fantastic Deanery CE High School and Wigan & Leigh FE College are little more than half a mile away.

We are praying for the right person to step into this role and join us in sharing the hope and love of Jesus with the world. Could that be you?

Closing Date: 13th December 2026

Interview Dates: Jan 2027

For more information please contact: Ven Pete Spiers Archdeacon of Knowsley and Sefton

Mob: [phone] or email:[e-mail]