Jesus Stories: On This Rock | Dave Mitchell | 8th September 2024 at 6.30pm

Jesus was a master storyteller. Twenty-one centuries on, his stories are still timeless and provocative, but they were also deeply relevant and challenging in the surrounding culture of his day.

This September, our series Jesus Stories highlights five well known parables told by Jesus to explain the unique dynamics of the kingdom of God. It's teaching that is designed to both reassure us and get under our skin!

The purpose of this series is to explore the teaching of Jesus on what it means to be a disciple and a citizen of His Kingdom. Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Jesus Stories: On This Rock | Dave Mitchell | 8th September 2024 at 11am

Jesus was a master storyteller. Twenty-one centuries on, his stories are still timeless and provocative, but they were also deeply relevant and challenging in the surrounding culture of his day.

This September, our series Jesus Stories highlights five well known parables told by Jesus to explain the unique dynamics of the kingdom of God. It's teaching that is designed to both reassure us and get under our skin!

The purpose of this series is to explore the teaching of Jesus on what it means to be a disciple and a citizen of His Kingdom. Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Jesus Stories: Seeds of Faith | Nigel Savage | 1st September 2024 at 6.30pm

Jesus was a master storyteller. Twenty-one centuries on, his stories are still timeless and provocative, but they were also deeply relevant and challenging in the surrounding culture of his day.

This September, our series Jesus Stories highlights five well known parables told by Jesus to explain the unique dynamics of the kingdom of God. It's teaching that is designed to both reassure us and get under our skin!

The purpose of this series is to explore the teaching of Jesus on what it means to be a disciple and a citizen of His Kingdom. Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Jesus Stories: Seeds of Faith | Rachel Riddall | 1st September 2024 at 11am

Jesus was a master storyteller. Twenty-one centuries on, his stories are still timeless and provocative, but they were also deeply relevant and challenging in the surrounding culture of his day.

This September, our series Jesus Stories highlights five well known parables told by Jesus to explain the unique dynamics of the kingdom of God. It's teaching that is designed to both reassure us and get under our skin!

The purpose of this series is to explore the teaching of Jesus on what it means to be a disciple and a citizen of His Kingdom. Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Commissioning Sunday

This month, Dave Mitchell will be passing on the baton of leadership of Woodlands Central to Rachel Riddall and Nigel Savage. We'll be marking this on a special Commissioning Sunday on the 8th September at all of our services. We’d love everyone to come along to support and pray for them.

Nigel and Rachel have been part of the Core Leadership Team at Central working closely with Dave Mitchell for many years. Practically speaking, Dave Mitchell has been handing over the operational leadership of the Woodlands Central congregations to Rachel & Nigel and their team over the summer. In addition, his Executive Assistant Abby Harvey has also transitioned over to supporting Nigel and Rachel at Central and we’ve recruited Catherine Penn as Dave’s new Executive Assistant.

Here’s what Dave Mitchell, Senior Lead of the Woodlands Church Family, recently wrote in his email to the church:

”My own role as leader of the Woodlands Church Family means I will still maintain a presence and involvement with Woodlands Central but will be released to have time for congregations on the other seven sites that represent the Woodlands Church Family, as well as for our wider connections in the City.

It might be worth reminding you of exactly who Woodlands Church Family is, and some of the nomenclature involved.

  • Woodlands Central covers the congregations that meet in the Woodlands Christian Centre on Belgrave Road itself. This includes the 8am, 9.15am, 11 am services, the 6.30pm service and monthly Quiet Service also at 6.30pm.

  • Highgrove is our Sea Mills congregation meeting at 10 High Grove with services at 9.30am and 11am.

  • The Community Church meets at the Greenaway Centre on Doncaster Road, Southmead at 10.30am.

  • Branch Community Church meets at Emmanuel Church Satchfield Crescent in Henbury at 4pm.

  • Southside meets at Victoria Park Baptist Church on St John’s Lane at 3pm.

  • Woodlands Metro meets at the Cathedral School (Cresswell Centre) at 11am on Sundays.

  • Hillside will be the name for the congregation meeting in Backwell meeting in Fairfield Primary School at 11 am on 3rd Sundays.

  • From the end of September Woodlands Church Family will be stewarding Chelsea Christian Centre in Easton, name tbc.

Thanks (I think) to everyone who has congratulated me on retirement, but that is still a little way off though I do become eligible for my state pension at the end of September!”

Jesus Stories Series

Jesus Stories Series

Unpacking Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom

Jesus was a master storyteller. Twenty-one centuries on, his stories are still timeless and provocative, but they were also deeply relevant and challenging in the surrounding culture of his day.

Our series Jesus Stories highlights five well known parables told by Jesus to explain the unique dynamics of the kingdom of God. It's teaching that is designed to both reassure us and get under our skin!

The purpose of this series is to explore the teaching of Jesus on what it means to be a disciple and a citizen of His Kingdom. Here’s what we’ll be talking about each week on Sunday…

  • 1st September: Seeds of Faith

  • 8th September: On This Rock

  • 15th September: Lost Sheep & Little Ones

  • 22nd September: Unmerciful Servant

  • 29th September: The Kingdom of God is a Party

Download our discussion notes to go deeper with the topics each week. This also includes recommended reading and videos to watch as well:


MESSAGES FROM THIS SERIES

Prayer Week 2024

At Woodlands Central, we love to pray and each September we celebrate Prayer Week, where we come before God together and offer him what is on our hearts.

Prayer Week is happening from the 15th - 22nd September 2024. It is a lovely time of fellowship, where we look forward and prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming season. The week consists of daily events and a 24/7 Prayer Room that can be booked by individuals or groups.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Influencers: Ruth | Fatima Sibanda | 4th August 2024 at 6.30pm

This August, we are looking at stories of extraordinary women in the Bible who shaped the course of human history by their faith, strength and courage. This series invites us to read their stories and be challenged and inspired into greater devotion towards the God they loved and served. 

We were blessed to have Pastor Fatima Sibanda join us a guest speaker, sharing her testimony with us in this service. Fatima and her husband Osian are the Senior Pastors of God’s House International Centre.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Watch Fatima’s preach: https://www.youtube.com/live/UVTzWXHFzDY

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Influencers: Ruth | Dave Mitchell | 4th August 2024 at 11am

This August, we are looking at stories of extraordinary women in the Bible who shaped the course of human history by their faith, strength and courage. This series invites us to read their stories and be challenged and inspired into greater devotion towards the God they loved and served. 

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

All In: Transformed | Dave Mitchell | 28th July 2024 at 6.30pm

This July we’re looking at what it means to be all in for Jesus! Our vision for the Woodlands Church Family is to see our city transformed by the love and power of God. In order to realise this shared mission, each of us needs to feel empowered, equipped and understand the vital part we each play in God’s unfolding plans for our city. This series will unpack our Woodies value of ‘every member a minister’ and the radical call of discipleship from the Bible.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Influencers Series

Influencers Series

FIVE EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN WHO SHAPED HISTORY

This August, we are looking at stories of women in the Bible who shaped the course of human history by their faith, strength and courage. This series invites us to read their stories and be challenged and inspired into greater devotion towards the God they loved and served. 

Here’s what our messages will be looking at each week…

  • 4th August: Ruth

  • 11th August: Esther

  • 18th August: Mary (Mother of Jesus)

  • 25th August: Mary & Martha

Because our midweek groups take a break in August, instead of providing discussion notes, we’re recommending two books that will help you go deeper with the series content.

Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church

Better Together by Danielle Strickland
How Women and Men Can Heal the Divide and Work Together to Transform the Future


MESSAGES FROM THIS SERIES

All In: Transformed | Clare Thompson | 28th July 2024 at 11am

This July we’re looking at what it means to be all in for Jesus! Our vision for the Woodlands Church Family is to see our city transformed by the love and power of God. In order to realise this shared mission, each of us needs to feel empowered, equipped and understand the vital part we each play in God’s unfolding plans for our city. This series will unpack our Woodies value of ‘every member a minister’ and the radical call of discipleship from the Bible.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

All In: Gifted | Rob Scott Cook | 21st July 2024 at 6.30pm

This July we’re looking at what it means to be all in for Jesus! Our vision for the Woodlands Church Family is to see our city transformed by the love and power of God. In order to realise this shared mission, each of us needs to feel empowered, equipped and understand the vital part we each play in God’s unfolding plans for our city. This series will unpack our Woodies value of ‘every member a minister’ and the radical call of discipleship from the Bible.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

All In: Gifted | Nigel Savage | 21st July 2024 at 11am

This July we’re looking at what it means to be all in for Jesus! Our vision for the Woodlands Church Family is to see our city transformed by the love and power of God. In order to realise this shared mission, each of us needs to feel empowered, equipped and understand the vital part we each play in God’s unfolding plans for our city. This series will unpack our Woodies value of ‘every member a minister’ and the radical call of discipleship from the Bible.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Vacancy for Youth Minister (Part Time)

Woodlands Central is a large and vibrant, city centre church that serves the city of Bristol as part of one of six church sites in the Woodlands Church Family. Our vision is to see our city transformed by the love and power of Jesus.

Central to our plans to reach this city for Jesus are young people! In Bristol, there are 90,000 young people who don’t have regular contact with church or faith. We would love to see this change!


The Role

We are looking for someone who can work alongside the youth director, full-time youth minister and established youth team and congregation leaders to help our youth ministry double its impact in the next 5 years. Within this role, the youth minister will inspire and equip the Youth Team within Woodlands Central to share faith, disciple and equip young people to live lives of whole-hearted devotion and commitment to Jesus.

When undertaking this role there may be times when you come across confidential information, therefore it is imperative that you are highly discreet and maintain confidentiality.

Terms

  • This is a part time, permanent contract at 2.5 days per week.

  • The salary for this role is £23,500.00 – £24,250.00 pro rata, depending on experience. We give a generous leave allowance of 33 days including bank holidays.

  • The role will be primarily based at Woodlands Church in Clifton, Bristol with flexible and home working available by arrangement. The working pattern can be negotiated and a term time only contract may be considered for this role.

  • The detailed terms and conditions will be contained in the post-holders Contract of Employment and the staff handbook.

  • There will be a three-month probationary period with a review point after six weeks. An appraisal will take place to confirm completion of the probationary period and appraisals will take place annually thereafter.

  • The post is subject to satisfactory references and DBS check.

  • We have a legal responsibility to ensure that all our employees have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Therefore, please only apply if you are eligible to work in the UK as we will have to verify this before you can start work.

Occupational Requirement

As a group of churches our vision is to continually reproduce the life of Jesus. We therefore seek to create a culture and environment in our churches where every team member and volunteer is able to encourage and challenge one another and the many people who pass through the doors each day, to pursue that vision. 

The role is primarily based at Woodlands Church in Clifton, Bristol. As a member of the staff team, you will be joining a faith community that meets to worship and pray together every week and we share prayer and worship moments throughout the day. Around the building, you’ll often come across teams or individuals praying over their work and really speaking the language of faith. 

Therefore, the role has an occupational requirement that the post holder be a follower of Jesus and a worshipping member of either Woodlands Church Family or another local church to ensure protection of our strong Christian ethos and values, and our charitable objective of advancing the Christian faith. We also want to ensure all team members thrive and flourish in this environment.  


How to Apply

  • JOB DESCRIPTION
    You can read the full Job Description for Youth Minister online as a PDF.

  • QUESTIONS?
    If you have any questions about the role and would like an informal chat, please contact Jack Saunders, our Senior Youth Director at jack.saunders@woodlandschurch.net.

  • APPLICATION FORM
    For an application form, please email Jenny Hanley, our HR Administrator at jenny.hanley@woodlandschurch.net.

  • CLOSING DATE
    The closing date for applications is midnight on Saturday, 31st August 2024. This vacancy will close once we have sufficient applications.

  • EMAIL YOUR APPLICATION
    Please send completed applications to our Senior Youth Director Jack Saunders at jack.saunders@woodlandschurch.net and copy them to Julia Shrimpton, our HR Lead at julia.shrimpton@woodlandschurch.net

  • INTERVIEW DATES
    If shortlisted, interviews will take place at Woodlands Church on the afternoon of Friday, 6th September 2024