Explaining the Good News of Jesus Christ to people who speak English

ICS and the Anglican chaplaincies it supports often have opportunities for short- or long-term service.

Applicants need to

• be prepared to minister in a cross-cultural situation to people of many nationalities and denominational backgrounds, or who may have no prior church involvement;
• have a real vision for ministry to English-speaking people
• wholeheartedly agree with ICS's Basis of Faith
  

Whilst seasonal and permanent chaplaincy opportunities are primarily in mainland Europe and the Mediterranean, ICS does assist with the recruitment of permanent chaplains in South America and the Falklands. All appointments as chaplains are subject to the approval of the relevant Diocesan bishop, and are subject to the terms of his licence. Chaplains nominated by ICS serve under the relevant diocesan terms of service and, although they are mission or ministry partners of ICS, the Society is not their employer.

From time to time the opportunities for service may include the following.

Permanent chaplaincies

Vacancies for chaplains and assistant chaplains…
to serve in churches where ICS recruits the chaplain for the Diocese concerned. These are principally in Europe and North Africa. Applicants must be ordained Anglicans, and suited to the special demands and opportunities of chaplaincy work (see Qualities needed.) Vacancies are usually advertised in the Church Times, the Church of Ireland Gazette and the Church of England Newspaper, and here. Some of the larger chaplaincies may be able to offer curacies.

Youth workers and lay assistants
Each year several chaplaincies advertise for youth student workers and lay assistants, usually to work for one year starting each September. These are an ideal opportunity (especially but not exclusively for new graduates) to serve God in an unusual church setting. The ICS office usually knows of any vacancies on offer in the February/March of each year and can give you contact details for the chaplaincy concerned.

General enquiries about permanent chaplaincy work are welcomed - please contact ICS on enquiries@ics-uk.org

Seasonal Chaplaincies
ICS sends ordained Anglican ministers and Readers to European resorts each year for 2 weeks (France, Italy or Switzerland) or longer (Ibiza). Applicants must be ordained Anglicans or licensed Readers. These are unpaid, volunteer roles (ICS makes modest travel grants). Seasonal chaplaincies involve publicising and holding services for holidaymakers and organising mid-week events - see qualities needed (below). However the major part of the work involves relating one-to-one to tourists, holiday reps, resort workers and local English-speakers who may know nothing of the Christian message, be ex-church people, or who are enquiring about the Christian faith: we look for chaplains therefore who are able to pastor and explain the gospel to such people in a relevant and faithful way. The role can also involve visiting those injured or ill whilst on holiday, and in tragic circumstances comforting the bereaved. In some cases a team can accompany the chaplain - an ideal training opportunity for people from your parish, or (in some circumstances) for ordinands.

General enquiries about seasonal chaplaincy work are welcomed - please contact ICS on enquiries@ics-uk.org

Qualities needed in ICS chaplains

Convictions and Qualities should include	Permanent	Seasonal
Ability to live creatively in a foreign culture	Yes	Not vital
Ability to manage creation and loss of short term relationships	Yes	Not vital
Ability to relate well to people of all ages	Yes	Yes - mostly
Appropriate experience	Yes	Yes
Vision for ministry to English-speakers	Yes	Yes
Wholehearted agreement with ICS's Basis of Faith	Yes	Yes
Willingness to speak/learn local language	Essential	Useful
Willingness to work with church members from many denominations and cultural backgrounds, demonstrating appropriate sensitivity	Yes	Yes