Associate Vicar St John's and Toft

Overview

Associate Vicar:
St Johns Knutsford and Toft

The United Benefice of St John the Baptist, Knutsford and St John the Evangelist, Toft comprises two neighbouring parishes serving contrasting but complementary communities within Cheshire.

St John the Baptist, Knutsford is the larger parish, situated at the heart of a historic market town with a growing population. The congregation wishes to focus on families and on discipling people of all ages. Toft is a smaller, rural parish, with a close-knit and welcoming congregation.

The shared vision of the benefice is to see people come to a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to grow in Christian maturity through the faithful, systematic exposition of Scripture and intentional discipleship.

Both parishes have petitioned the Bishop of Chester under the House of Bishops Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Presbyters and have passed the 2008 GAFCON Jerusalem Declaration. St John’s, Knutsford is affiliated with the Church Society.

The Associate Vicar will be canonically licensed by the Bishop of Chester. The post-holder must be a presbyter ordained in the Church of England or another Anglican jurisdiction. Under the terms of the House of Bishops Declaration, only male candidates will be considered for this role.

• The Associate Vicar will be a full member of the staff team and will share responsibility with the Vicar for the spiritual life, pastoral care, and mission of the benefice.
• While the role spans the whole benefice, the Associate Vicar will have particular accountability for pastoral care, discipleship and the nurture of families, children, and young people in both parishes.

• Presbyter ordained in the Church of England or another Anglican jurisdiction; canonical licensing by the Bishop of Chester.
• Under the House of Bishops Declaration, only male candidates will be considered.
• Up-to-date safeguarding training and a valid DBS check for current post; candidates are required to submit relevant training certificates with their applications. A fresh Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for the successful candidate.

• This is a full-time stipendiary post for a fixed term of five years, with the possibility of renewal by mutual consent.
• Accommodation in Knutsford is offered in a well maintained and spacious property.

For a conversation about the post, please contact the Vicar, The Reverend Nigel Atkinson, by email in the first instance:
Nigel.

Atki The Bishop of Stockport would also be pleased to discuss the role: bpstockportlican.org.

Completed application forms should be returned by email to the Vicar:
Nigel.

Atki, and copied to The Bishop of Stockport: bpstockportlican.org. Closing date:
Sunday, 8th February 2026. Interviews:
Friday, 20th February 2026.

The Diocese of Chester will not shortlist candidates unless they can provide an assurance of up-to-date safeguarding training and a valid DBS check for their current post. Candidates are required to submit relevant training certificates with their applications. A fresh Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for the successful candidate.