Lay Employment

Vacancies across the District:

Job title: Youth Work Pioneer (Application form) (Job advert)
Employer: Darlington and Teesdale Methodist Circuit
Location: The Well Methodist Church with Circuit wide travel
Closes: 27th November 2025, Midday

Job title: Circuit Administrator (Application form) (Job advert)
Employer: Stockton Methodist Circuit
Location: Church premises within the Stockton Circuit
Closes: 30th November 2025, Midday

Please note: As part of our safer recruitment processes, CV's are not considered at shortlisting stage. All applications for employment should be made on a Methodist Church application form, a copy of which is available to download here.

Looking to employ?

If you are considering employing a lay worker, and for an early conversation around good practice, please contact Andrew Crawford, our District Lay Employment Advisor. Andrew can be reached at hr@darlingtonmethodistdistrict.org.uk

Should you have Church Council or Circuit Meeting approval to make an appointment, complete the authorisation to recruit form and send to Andrew so that the necessary district approvals can be achieved. (Standing Order 438a).

Andrew will support you to create a job pack and will remain available to you during both the recruitment and onboarding process. A conversation at this stage will ensure that the district's recommended employment guidelines (Under review – link disabled) are incorporated into your vision.

Using Contractors:

From time to time it may be commercially appropriate for you to use the services of a self-employed contractor. If you are considering making an appointment on self-employed terms we ask that you read our guidance on self employed contractors and we encourage you have an early conversation with Andrew to ensure that the correct employment status is established and documentation produced.

Policies, Processes, & Forms:

The district has approved a range of employment and workplace policies, and guides. Please contact Andrew if you need any support.

Line Management:

Did you know that the Learning Network deliver line management training for anyone who line manages a lay employee in the Methodist Church? Click here to learn more and to see the schedule of future training sessions. Further line manager support is available through a recently updated Line Manager Handbook .

Employment Drop-In Sessions:

Andrew will host frequent drop-in sessions for lay employees, line managers, and members of employee support/management groups. Held via Zoom and booked via Eventbrite, conversations can be on a 1-1 or a group basis, depending on your preference. Next confirmed dates are February 2026.

Please note that no vacancy may be advertised, neither can an appointment can be made, unless prior approval has been obtained from the District Lay Employment Sub Committee (CPD 438A (5)). This can be achieved through conversation with the District Lay Employment Advisor.