Streatham Church

20 members
One elder: David Hollands - part time. (Phil Crowter was a paid, full-time elder, but left in July 2007 because of ill health.)

Sexes: roughly equal male/female
Age range: good spread, with a hump in the 30s/40s
Racial mix: varied
Maturity: most have been Christians for some years

For the most part, the believers are in good heart and wanting to grow in grace and to reach others with the gospel. The prayers and attitudes show an agreement with our church motto 'making Jesus known'. There is usually a relaxed attitude to secondary issues and a concern to be real about the gospel. Some struggle with long-term health issues.

Three men are involved in the teaching ministry (although Phil did most of the preaching), and others in a variety of other work. One or two are actively involved in evangelistic Bible studies.

Two Sunday services. The morning service tends to have a number of visitors, some of whom are not yet believers. There is a children's talk for a few younger children, and other items (e.g. missionary focus, persecuted church spot).

The evening service is well attended by the members, but other visitors are infrequent.

We use 'Praise!' hymns (+ OHPs, as suitable) and NKJV mostly (we are flexible on Bible versions).

Thursday Bible study and prayer meeting. This is informal and interactive and is held in the church. Three men take it in turns to lead this ministry. It is generally well attended.

Our concern in all these meetings is to unpack God's word and put it to work in our own lives and church, and to equip and encourage one another to reach a lost world. There is a relaxed, friendly feel as we seek out what it means to be a family of God.

Sunday School. 'Discoverers' (4-11) and 'Truth Connection' (12+) meet on Sunday afternoon. There are around 20 in total, mostly from non-Christian homes.

Toddler groups. The group of around 30 adults (average 20 adults + 25 children) meets on Wednesday morning. The focus is on relationship building. These groups are currently run by Ruth Woodcraft with help from others.

Christianity Explored groups. We try to run these at least once a year. A recent course had nine mums from the toddler group! There are ongoing Bible studies with some of these.

'Baron's Lodge' meeting. We hold a monthly meeting at a home for people with psychiatric illness.

'Inside Out' is our three-times-a-year evangelistic newsletter for distribution to 1,000 homes.

Much of our efforts go on building relationships with people wherever we have contact with them.

We would like to start meetings to reach older youth.

Wider ministries

The church is involved with a number of other ministries: schools work, reaching night clubs, literature projects for overseas pastors, camps. One of our members is a medical missionary in Papua New Guinea.

Facilities and environment

The church building is well kept, but fairly old, small and limited, with one side room opening out into the church and a small back room with a sink, together with modernised WC facilities.

It is situated in a street of terraced housing, some converted into flats. The population is mixed socially and racially (British, European, Asian, Afro-Caribbean). There is little trouble and the area has a reasonable, even friendly 'feel'.

There is no manse. House prices start at around £300,000 for a three-bedroomed house.

The future need

The church is looking for a full-time couple to continue the work and build on the foundation which has been laid. We are looking for people who will share the church's vision and work together with the church family to make Jesus known.

We are looking to the Lord to provide a godly couple who share a little of his heart for the work of the gospel here in Streatham. There are many opportunities to develop what we already do, especially among the many women with whom we have contact. The following qualities for a prospective pastor are worth highlighting:

• Vision. We long not only to maintain what we do, but grow in grace, and reach more people with the gospel.
• Teaching. The clear presentation of God's word is foundational to the growth of the church. We value careful, accurate handling of God's word in an accessible, insightful and relevant style.
• Experience. Proven in some degree in ability to handle people and care for spiritual needs. Proven to be responsible, faithful, reliable. Inexperience may be offset somewhat by motiviation to learn and openness to counsel.
• Personality. Comfortable with a wide range of people, good with unbelievers.
• Team player. Able to lead with the fellow elder in partnership, and with the rest of the church as we serve the Lord co-operatively.
• Godly wife. Willing and able and available to take responsibility in women's work. (We see the need for a couple working together.)
• Adaptable to environment Able to cope with living in South London.

Theologically, you will need to fit into a Grace Baptist church (Reformed in doctrine, baptistic, communion restricted to baptised members of evangelical churches; please refer to http://www.agbcse.org.uk/ourbeliefs.htm)

Practically, there may be housing difficulties because of having no manse and the high house prices in Streatham. We hope, in most cases, to be able to find a suitable solution within our financial constraints.

If, after reading our information, you have outstanding questions to clear before applying, please telephone David Hollands on 020 8640 7094 or email him via the 'Contact' tab.

We are concerned to fill this position as soon as possible. We will, therefore, process applications as they come in and follow up those of interest. We will acknowledge your application and then get back to you within two weeks if we want to proceed.

The first stage would be to request a sermon tape/CD, chat over the phone and then arrange a Sunday preaching visit.

Please apply via the 'Contact' tab including the following:

• Personal details (age, children, housing)
• Contact details (address, telephone number)
• Brief history
• Church / missionary / gospel experience
• Telephone number for your pastor / fellow elder

Our church motto verse for 2007 was Jeremiah 29.11: 'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.' It is a great joy to rest ourselves in his plans for us and for the gospel.