Vicar of Castle Churches

Church of England; Maidstone; Remote; GBP 33,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Castle Group of Churches in Kent invites applications for the post of Vicar of the Castle Churches Benefice, part of the North Downs Deanery. The post requires capacity to discern gifts in parishioners and to lead worship across traditional and contemporary styles.

You will develop children’s ministry, strengthen community links, and oversee church buildings to serve wider community. The Diocese provides support structures including pastoral supervision and a Ministry Training Programme.

Job description

Vicar of the Castle Churches Benefice – Part of the North Downs Deanery

The Castle Group comprises the Parish of Otham with Langley and the Parish of Leeds, Broomfield and Kingswood. Our churches offer different types of worship, from the traditional Eucharist to more contemporary and informal styles including Messy Church. Our varied styles of worship accommodate different preferences.

The Castle Group of Churches is situated to the east of Maidstone, Kent at the foot of the North Downs which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

We are a group of five churches; our congregations have enthusiasm and commitment to our faith and mission within our area. We are sure that once our vacancy is filled, we will be able, with leadership and guidance, to grow our church and build on the success already achieved. Our aspiration is to connect with our community and support God’s mission at home and in our places of work.

Qualities of our new Vicar:

• A person capable of identifying, encouraging and using the gifts, talents and skills of the people in the parish.
• A person who is comfortable with our differing styles of worship and is happy to work in that environment.
• A person who will build on our children’s work and encourage growth in this area of mission.
• A person who is flexible in their approach with imagination and enthusiasm to develop what exists and take our mission forward.
• A vision for developing the use of our church buildings to encourage and involve members of the wider community.
• A person who has good administrative and IT skills and will use these to further the delivery of our mission within the parish and beyond.
• A person who will further develop relationships with the rest of the Deanery.

Whoever takes up this post will be warmly welcomed into the life and support structures of the Diocese of Canterbury. Every Incumbent and Priest in Charge is accompanied through the Canterbury Diet, our framework for sustaining healthy, effective ministry — including regular pastoral supervision, a spiritual accompanier, and a structured Ministry Training Programme in the early years of ministry.

If you feel that God is calling you to new ministry in The Castle Group of Churches and would like further information, please contact the Archdeacon of Maidstone - The Venerable Estella Last, [e-mail]

The priest appointed to this role must be ordained in the Church of England, or in a Church in communion with it, and must have successfully completed a training post with the appropriate sign-offs required to apply for an incumbency or other ordained role.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and does not currently qualify for visa sponsorship.

The priest appointed will serve as an office holder under Common Tenure, and the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations will apply.

Closing Date: Sunday 3 January 2027

Interviews: Thursday 11 February 2027