Assistant Pastor Sought

Salem Chapel at Martin Top is seeking a part time, assistant pastor for a two-year period subject to a six-month period of probation. The assistant pastor may be a trainee or experienced person, and will play a part in the different areas of the church life as well as developing new ones, including teaching and preaching, and may assist with an existing church plant in the Yorkshire Dales or help establish a second plant in the town of Burnley.

Martin Top is a rural area but has a desire to reach the lost and begin Bible-believing churches in places where evangelical Christianity is poorly represented.

Required Characteristics

We are looking for a man who will endeavour to be a faithful under-shepherd and engaging Bible teacher. He should:

  • Satisfy the biblical requirements for a church leader
  • Be able to declare wholeheartedly his acceptance of our statement of faith (https://martintop.org.uk/content/our-beliefs)
  • Demonstrate godliness in his devotional life, personal life, ministry and personal relationships
  • Handle God's word faithfully and engagingly as he preaches the truth
  • Have a pastoral heart, showing care and understanding to our church family
  • Have a desire to reach the lost
  • Be able to work effectively as part of a team with the existing pastor, elders, deacons, other officers and evangelist

Desired Characteristics

  • The ability to drive will be helpful: the church is rural with limited public transport
  • The ability to manage his own time
  • Have a desire to develop ministry, perhaps with a view of pastoring another church afterwards

Package

  • The part-time position will allow flexibility in work days as well as the option of seeking some additional employment
  • The church manse can be made available for accommodation (three bedrooms, but rurally located, next to the chapel)
  • A financial package will be offered
  • The existing pastor and leaders would be prepared to offer mentoring and support

Timescale

  • The position may commence in 2026, depending on the availability of the successful applicant

About Salem Chapel

The church attracts around 70-80 persons on Sunday morning, but rather fewer in the evening (20-30). The Hetton plant attracts between 25-35 on average. Worshippers at Martin Top come from a wide area, from Burnley in the south to Clapham in the north, Ilkley and Grassington in the east, as well as Clitheroe and Barnoldswick. There is no public transport to the chapel and the location is generally regarded as remote. It is led by elders (spiritual direction), deacons (the building) and trustees (manse and legal compliance) though major decisions, including this appointment, will be taken by the members. The existing pastor is not planning to leave; this appointment would complement his work rather than replace it. The website contains much information which may be worth reviewing.

Interested?

Interested persons should contact the existing pastor with a letter of application and a CV via pastor@martintop.org.uk. Applicants are strongly urged to visit the chapel in person, both informally and unannounced on a Sunday morning, as well as by arrangement with the pastor mid-week to assess our remote location and limited building. On the recommendation of the elders, a candidate’s name may be presented to the members for the final decision, and may include an opportunity to preach beforehand. Consequently, this advert may be withdrawn at any time.