Anglican Chaplain to the University of Birmingham

Anglican Chaplain to the University of Birmingham The Anglican Chaplain will serve as a visible, confident, and pastorally grounded Christian presence within the University of Birmingham. Rooted in the worshipping life of St Bartholomew's (Old Church) and operating from the Multi Faith Chaplaincy Centre at the heart of campus, the Chaplain will:

• embody a ministry of prayer, proclamation, service, and hospitality;
• nurture intellectual and spiritual growth among students and staff;
• contribute to the flourishing of the university community through pastoral care, public engagement, and collaborative chaplaincy.

The Chaplain will be the Bishop of Aston's nominee for appointment as a Recognised Chaplain, with all accompanying university privileges and responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities A. Mission, Discipleship, and Formation

• Lead a confident and prayerful Anglican presence across campus, engaging students and staff with warmth, integrity, and intellectual curiosity.
• Develop a mission shaped strategy that integrates worship, discipleship, and engagement with academic life.
• Create and support accessible opportunities for exploration of Christian faith marked by hospitality, depth, and clarity.
• Encourage and resource the Christian student community, including support for faith societies and emerging leaders.
• Foster theological literacy and engagement with Scripture in ways that strengthen Christian witness in academic contexts.
• Provide visible presence amongst the student and staff communities - comfortably stepping outside of the chaplaincy building.

Pastoral and Spiritual Care

• Offer pastoral care to staff and students of all faiths and none.
• Maintain a welcoming, safe, and confidential ministry within the Chaplaincy Centre.
• Establish rhythms of prayer, intercession, and worship in partnership with Chaplaincy colleagues.
• Support those discerning vocation to Christian leadership, public service, or ministry.

Advocacy, Culture, and Public Engagement

• Act as a thoughtful and constructive Christian voice within university conversations.
• Build positive relationships with university leadership, schools/faculties, Student Services, Wellbeing, and the Guild.
• Participate in governance structures relevant to chaplaincy, helping shape its development.
• Represent Christian perspectives in campus debates and public forums with grace and confidence.

Partnership and Collaboration

• Work collaboratively within the Multi Faith Chaplaincy team, contributing to shared initiatives and respectful dialogue.
• Build links with teaching and research centres, including the School of Philosophy, Theology & Religion.
• Engage with the University of Birmingham Chaplaincy Trust and utilise resources responsibly for student and staff wellbeing.
• Maintain strong and supportive relationships with Church of England parishes involved in ministry to the university.
• Participate in local, regional, and national chaplaincy and student mission networks.
• Foster unity amongst Christian groups on campus.
• Establish positive working relationship with the University of Birmingham Anglican Chaplaincy Trust

Student Facing Parish Based Ministry (St Bartholomew's)

• The parish based element of the role will normally equate to two days per week (including Sundays).
• Serve as part of the ministry team at St Bartholomew's, contributing to its worshipping life and mission
• Support the parish in developing sustainable student engagement, including midweek discipleship and welcome.
• Preach, preside, and participate pastorally in Sunday worship.

Relationship with St Bartholomew's (Old Church) The Chaplain's rootedness in St Bartholomew's is foundational to this model of chaplaincy. The parish provides:

• a worshipping community for spiritual nourishment;
• a base for forming and sending Christian students in partnership with the Chaplain;
• partnership, accountability and integration into the wider parish mission;
• practical support including office space, resources, and team collaboration.

The Chaplain will be an integral member of the parish team while maintaining clear accountability for university based responsibilities through the Director of Mission.

Council of Reference (Proposed) To ensure transparency, shared confidence, and healthy relationships with a range of stakeholders, a Council of Reference will meet three times per year. Its purpose is advisory rather than operational.

Membership may include

• Director of Mission (Chair)
• Incumbent of St Bartholomew's
• A representative from the University of Birmingham Chaplaincy Committee
• A representative from the Birmingham Anglican Chaplaincy Trust
• Two parish clergy from churches with significant student ministry (to reflect breadth)
• One chaplain from another HE institution
• The Anglican Chaplain (in attendance; not chairing)

Functions

• To provide wisdom, feedback, and accountability in the development of the chaplaincy.
• To ensure positive and collaborative relationships across differing perspectives.
• To review emerging opportunities and challenges in the chaplain's ministry.
• To affirm and support the Chaplain's wellbeing and professional development.

This mechanism creates a transparent, relational, and future facing space that builds confidence across the diocese and partners.

Person Specification

• Ordained priest in the Church of England (or a church in communion).
• A prayerful, reflective minister with a love of learning and deep commitment to student ministry and mission.
• Ability to minister within the liturgical and theological tradition of St Bartholomew's.
• Demonstrated competence in leading public worship
• Proven ability to communicate Christian faith clearly and joyfully across diverse environments.
• Clear evidence of working effectively and sensitively within culturally, socially and religiously diverse communities, showing mature pastoral judgment in complex environments.
• Demonstrates pastoral sensitivity, safeguarding awareness, and the ability to relate well to people at all stages of faith.
• A collaborative team member able to build constructive relationships across the university and parish.
• A self starter able to work independently while remaining accountable.
• Commitment to working within the safeguarding parameters of University of Birmingham and the University of Birmingham chaplaincy.
• The post is subject to enhanced DBS check with Barred List check, satisfactory references and completion of relevant Safeguarding Training
• Experience in chaplaincy or student ministry.
• Academic or theological research experience.
• Ability to navigate cultural and intellectual diversity with creativity and grace.
• Experience using digital and social media for mission.

Support and Resources

• University office base:Office provision, IT and admin support is provided by Birmingham University in St Francis Hall Multi-faith Chaplaincy Centre, with dedicated space for corporate worship and fellowship.
• Working expenses:The University of Birmingham Anglican Chaplaincy Trust contributes towards the Chaplain's working expenses in ministry to the University.
• Parish office space and worship resourceswill be provided by St Bartholomew's Church. St Bartholomew's PCC is responsible for covering parish based costs.
• Ongoing oversight and ministerial supportfrom both the parish and diocesan mission team.
• Reflective Pastoral Supervision:Regular participation in confidential Reflective Pastoral Supervision is strongly recommended for clergy engaged in pastoral ministry. This is available at no cost through the Birmingham RPS scheme.
• MDR: Ordained ministers Licensed by the Bishop participate in Ministerial Development Review and Continuing Ministerial Development.

Terms and Conditions Employer: Birmingham Diocesan Board of Finance (BDBF)

Reports to: The Director of Mission and will have day to day supervision from the Incumbent of St Bartholomew's

Location: The role will be based out of St Bartholomew's Church, Edgbaston

Hours:Full time (5 days, 35 hours per week) funded for a fixed term of 5 years.

License:Licensed by the Bishop of Birmingham for 5 years.

Pension: Membership of the CofE Clergy Pension Scheme

Accommodation:For the better performance of the duties of the post, the postholder will be required to live in provided accommodation (currently a 4 bedroom town house in Selly Oak with small garden and car parking, conveniently located to Birmingham University Selly Oak and Edgbaston campuses.)

Annual Leave:Five weeks' annual leave per calendar year plus Bank Holidays plus 3 additional Diocesan Discretionary Days.

As this post involves the delivery of ordained Anglican ministry within the University of Birmingham, including being rooted in the worshipping life of St Bartholomew's (Old Church), the post carries a genuine occupational requirement for the postholder to be an ordained priest within the Anglican Communion.

Closing date for applications: 6 th May 2026

Interviews to be held in person: 20 th May 2026

To apply for the role, please click here.
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