We want to train and equip the next generation of gospel workers, serving God through full-time ministry or in the workplace. Our ministry trainees made significant contributions to the life of the church and have continued to serve God here in Norwich or elsewhere.
We would love to see this work continue, and we would love you to be a part of this.
On the programme you will get significant experience working across all areas of the life of the church. You won’t get a scaled-back or sugar-coated version - you’ll see what church ministry is like on the front line in one of the most secular cities in the UK, and the unique opportunities and challenges this brings.
Our aim for the ministry trainee programme is that you will grow in three ways:
- CHARACTER: The Bible puts a far greater importance on character rather than ability - something that can often be opposite to what our culture prizes. Through the ups and downs that ministry can bring, we pray that you will grow in godly character during the year as you serve and lead in various ministries and are tested outside your comfort zone. You will be discipled and receive regular spiritual formation and input from one of our senior members of staff.
- SKILLS: Ministry can be fast-paced and tough, so adaptability and resilience are key attributes we’d want you to grow in. But more importantly, we’re not looking for someone who thinks they’re the finished article, but someone who is ready to identify their weaknesses and not just learn, but think, reflect and grow.
- THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: As well as training through hands-on experience in the church, you will participate in the TEAM Training Programme one day a week across the year, which will help you grow in your love and knowledge of God’s Word and your ability to communicate it effectively in various contexts. You will also attend conferences, the cost of which will be included in the programme.
What does an average week look like?
It may look like reading the Bible one-to-one with people, helping to lead an evangelistic course or Bible study, or helping with social media and web design! You will contribute in a variety of ways across several ministries, as well as specialising in a few key ministries, depending on areas of need as well as where you would like to gain experience.
What role would I play within the team?
You will be a valuable and committed member of our growing staff team, and part of our weekly staff meetings. You will be discipled and receive regular spiritual formation and input from one of our senior members of staff, helping you to grow in these areas.
Our prayer is that at the end of your time on the ministry trainee programme, you’ll be better equipped to serve God and His church in whatever context he calls you to next. We will tailor your experience towards this end, so that you get the opportunity to develop skills and receive training that will sharpen you.
About CityGates
We’re a growing city-centre church seeking to reach the city of Norwich and the surrounding area with the good news of Jesus Christ. In 2022 we changed our name from Surrey Chapel as part of a wider raft of changes intended to increase the reach of the church to this end.
We have two morning services (9:30am and 11:15am) with around 350-400 people attending on an average Sunday, as well as an evening service at 6pm of 50-60 people. We have a church membership of over 170, and are a multi-generational church with people of all ages and backgrounds. We have been growing in cultural diversity, with a significant number of students, people in their 20-30s and young families in our church family.
We want to be a church that seeks to be a lifeboat to our city - an ordinary group of people growing in love for the gospel, living in obedience to Jesus and sharing Him with our city. We have regular evangelistic events happening so that the many non-Christians who come along on a Sunday have further opportunities to investigate the claims of Christianity. One of the highlights of our year is Summerfest - a week of events in the summer reaching our community in a local park.
We’re part of the FIEC and hold to and embrace the values and mission of this fellowship of churches. We partner with other gospel-minded churches, and are a founding member of the Norfolk Gospel Partnership, as we recognise the great need for more gospel churches in the city and further afield in our county.
You can find out more about the church by visiting our website, following on social media at @citygatesnorwich and YouTube, or visiting us on a Sunday!
Interested?
The role is a fixed term position of one year, and the salary is £15,288. You will work 30 hours per week excluding your involvement in the TEAM Training Programme. The deadline for applications is Sunday 21st April.
To find out more, please speak to one of the staff team or email [email protected] if you’d like an informal conversation. Please email [email protected] for an application form.