Pastoral Assistant

We are excited to offer the opportunity to join our team at Orchardlea Community Church as a Pastoral Assistant. The role of the Pastoral Assistant is to work alongside and be responsible to the Minister and assist the Kirk Session in delivering pastoral care within the congregation and wider community. The post holder will liaise with and assist the Pastoral Care team, engage in visiting and pastoral support, and contribute to the life and worship of the church through the development of additional pastoral activities.

Orchardlea Community Church is a newly formed congregation following the recent union of Orchardhill Parish Church and Merrylea Parish Church, two longstanding congregations in the southside of Glasgow and we are seeking to grow as an open, welcoming and outward-looking Christian community. We are looking for someone with compassion, good listening skills, the ability to work under their own initiative, and who has a heart for pastoral ministry who can help us care well for people across all stages of life.

The post is for 18 hours per week with a salary of £14,368 - £16,490.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year, with the potential to continue on a longer-term basis.

The holiday entitlement is 5 weeks per year pro rata, the holiday year runs to 31^st December.

It is expected that there will be a flexibility of working hours including evening and weekend working.

Applications will be welcomed equally from both those ordained to a recognised ministry and those who are not.

The closing date is Friday 11^th September 2026

For further information, please contact the minister. GRooney@churchofscotland.org.uk

To apply, please send:

a C.V.
a personal statement outlining why you are the right person for this role.

Description of Pastoral Assistant Duties

To support the development of a pastoral care framework for caring for and visiting members and adherents, alongside the pastoral care team.
Working with the Minister, to coordinate and support visiting elders and pastoral visitors.
To undertake visiting in private homes, care homes and hospitals, particularly with those who have the greatest need, being willing and able to offer to pray as appropriate.
To keep the Minister informed about the wellbeing of members and adherents.
To help the Minister keep the Kirk Session informed regarding pastoral care, including occasional reports to the Kirk Session.
To develop opportunities for pastoral support to be offered informally. For example: setting up a bereavement support group.
To attend Sunday worship regularly, as agreed, in order to engage with the congregation in relation to pastoral needs and to contribute occasionally to worship services.
To attend weekly staff meetings as required.
To provide pastoral cover in the Minister’s absence.
To carry out such additional duties as may reasonably be requested from time to time.
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK and will be subject to a satisfactory PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will have or will be:	Essential	Desirable
Strong pastoral skills with a track record in providing effective empathetic and confidential care, whilst respecting boundaries.	x
Knowledge and understanding of the congregational life of the Church of Scotland.	x
Ability to communicate and engage with people who have little or no church connection and across a spectrum of ages	x
Experience of organising events and activities from conception to evaluation.	x
A committed Christian, with a live church connection (this is a Genuine Occupational Requirement in terms of the Equality Act 2010).	x
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.	x
Innovative and able to evidence creative and different ways of working and trying new initiatives		x
Ability to use own initiative and to work unsupervised when necessary.	x
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and contribute to effective teamworking.	x
Energy and creativity.	x
A valid driving licence with access to own private vehicle with willingness to travel beyond the parish to hospital or care homes if needed. Normal travel expenses will be paid in line with current Church of Scotland mileage rates.	x
On-going commitment to personal development including a willingness to work towards further qualifications and accredited training, if required.	x
Qualified or similarly accredited training in pastoral work or significant, recent and relevant work experience in this area.	x

Applications will be assessed in respect of the above criteria.