West Melbourne Baptist Church

The West Melbourne Baptist Church is looking for a new Community Builder to join several others who seek to build community in the vertical community of the Hawke and King Apartment Complex in West Melbourne and in the local communities of North and West Melbourne. If you are keen to help build a diverse community that is committed to inclusion, justice, fairness and a welcome to all, this might be the role for you.

Background

The church established the Hawke and King Apartment Complex which was opened in July 2018. The vertical village has 75 apartments and it is home to 175 to 200 people. The church retained several apartments designated for Community Builders who are appointed to be intentional about building a resourceful, diverse and supportive community. This might take the form of being involved in social events initiated by Apartment Complex committees, having coffees or offering hospitality to people.

Gifts and Qualities Needed

Being an effective Community Builder requires many gifts and takes on so many different forms but some of the gifts and qualities that we are looking for include an ongoing questing for a Christian faith that is real and authentic, an affinity with the vision and values of the WMBC, a passion and enthusiasm for the role, availability for people, a love for engaging with people and the ability to get along with others, time to talk and be present with people, especially in the sphere of one’s ministry, courage to go outside one’s comfort zone, openness to connecting with people of different ages and backgrounds, compassion, a patient listener, a zest for learning, non-judgmental openness to be with and relate to all demographics, agility to adapt expectations and effort to go where the openings are, flexibility and a desire to celebrate with people the natural ways of doing life.

Specifics

• There is no remuneration for this service but a one-bedroom apartment is reserved for this Community Builder (single or a couple) at a rental of 75% of the market rate.
• This is a church appointment made by the West Melbourne Baptist Church diaconate.
• In addition to generally being neighbourly, each Community Builder is invited to discern a specific ministry focus, either within the Hawke and King Apartment community, through the West Melbourne Baptist Community Centre or in the local suburb.
• It is vital that Community Builders be regular attenders at the weekly gatherings of the West Melbourne Baptist Church (Sundays at 5.30pm) and will engage enthusiastically with the church community.

Further Information

• Information about the West Melbourne Baptist Church, its story, vision and values can be found on the West Melbourne Baptist Church and Community Centre website.
• A Position Description (which spells out the Vision for the Apartment Community, the purpose of Community Builders, terms and conditions of the role etc.) for West Melbourne Baptist Church Community Builders is available to those who ask through this email address: [email protected], using the subject line: Community Builder enquiry via EthicalJobs
• Short-listed candidates will be given a tour of the Hawke and King Apartment Complex.
• Short-listed candidates are invited to attend worship gatherings of the West Melbourne Baptist Church over four weeks to help them further become acquainted with the ethos of the church.
• Interviews of shortlisted candidates will be conducted by a group appointed by the WMBC Deacons.

Timetable

• The closing date for Expressions of Interest is 5 December 2020.
• There is some flexibility about the starting date but it might be towards the end of January 2021.