We’re looking for Ministry Assistants to join our staff team for 1 year in a role combining theological and leadership training, mentoring, and serving in one or more of our ministry departments. Departments currently seeking Ministry Assistants include:
River Kids (0-10s)
River Active (Sports)
Ministry Assistants (MAs) will work 4 days per week: 3 days (21h) per week at River Church, and 1 day (5h) per week in our coffee shop, Applaud Coffee. On top of this we will enrol MAs on St Mellitus College’s Beginning Theology course (or allow day release for one of their degree courses). MAs will receive tickets to HTB’s Summit conference and Focus festival.
The Ministry Assistant role is ideal for someone taking their first steps into paid ministry, exploring a vocation, or just leaving education.
Closing date: 4th September 2026
Salary: £24,233 FTE (pro rata)
Start date: September-October 2026
To apply, complete the application form below, or email your CV and a covering letter explaining your church experience, preferred ministry department, and how you fit River Church’s Dream, Purpose, and Goals to [email protected].
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Role Profile
Job title: Ministry Assistant
Department: TBC
Reports to: TBC
Principal location: River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ
DBS check required: Yes
Special conditions of employment: There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010.
Start date: Sept-Oct 2026
Working days/hours: Part-time
Rate of pay: £24,233 (pro rata)
Travel: May be required on occasion
Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)
Probation period: 6 months
Contract length: 1 year
Other expectations: Whilst the role will usually be Sunday to Thursday, the role holder will need to be available to work some other key dates, such as special services (Christmas, Easter etc.), annual meetings, and Focus (our annual one-week church holiday in the summer). It is expected that staff members will be active members of River Church—praying at prayer meetings, serving on team, giving financially, and growing as part of a Hangout.
For a candidate with the right skillset and character, this role could be combined with another role currently vacant.
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Notes for Applicants
We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose ethnicities are underrepresented in the Church of England. We would welcome informal conversations with anybody considering applying for this position. Email [email protected] to get in touch. When completing the application form, please feel free to continue your answers on separate pages if you require more room.
We reserve the right to close applications and/or shortlist at any time. As such, we recommend applying for this role at your earliest convenience.
We will inform you as to whether or not you will be invited for interview once applications have closed.
Interviews will be held in person at River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ.
Please bring your passport (and, if necessary, proof of right to work in the UK) and a document showing proof of your home address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your interview.
Please note that any offers made are subject to: the receipt of satisfactory references; satisfactory completion of a DBS check, safeguarding training, and any other training necessary for the role; proof of right to work in the UK; satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period; and agreement to adhere to the policies and procedures of River Church.
When you apply for this role, please also complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form at the bottom of this page.
