Voluntary role (until June 2030)
Do you care about Suffolk’s glorious historic churches? Do you want to be the person who leads the conversations about their upkeep, conservation and future? If so, then we’re keen to hear from you.
We’re looking for a new chair for the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC), the body that advises on and oversees our functioning church buildings, 95.6% of which are nationally listed, with 50.8% at Grade I and 37.2% at Grade II*. Among them are nationally and even internationally famous buildings, such as Holy Trinity in Blythburgh and SS Peter and Paul in Lavenham. The DAC is the body that exercises listed building consent, handling applications for anything from the disposal of unwanted pews to the construction of new extensions. As chair, you’ll be responsible for advising the Chancellor, the judge of the Diocese, in deciding faculty applications for these works.
We’re looking for someone interested in architectural history, but we certainly don’t expect you to be word-perfect on it. You’ll be working with a team of highly experienced heritage professionals, who are there to give chapter and verse on expert matters whenever you need it. In any case, this job is as much about seeing things from the point of view of the communities who worship in and use these buildings as it is about the fabric and fittings, so a solid understanding of the operation and mission of the Church is every bit as important. You’ll be working alongside clergy, who will help to form that perspective, especially when dealing with pastorally sensitive matters such as the commemoration of the dead. You’ll also be at the forefront of discussions about the role of church buildings in the Diocese’s wider mission, such as meeting the commitment to become Carbon Net-Neutral by 2030 and making them accessible to disabled people.
You’ll need a sensitive ear for the human aspect in all these things. Above all, you’ll need to be a good leader and diplomat, with a proven ability to strike a balance between the conflicting aims of different stakeholders and to facilitate clear and pragmatic decision-making. Past experience of chairing committees, no matter what the brief, is definitely a bonus. Though nobody is expected to know all 476 church buildings in the Diocese, close familiarity with Suffolk and its communities is vital.
This post is voluntary, but all reasonable expenses will be paid to the successful post holder.
If you’d like to find out more, please contact Edmund Harris by email on edmund.harris@cofesuffolk.org for an informal conversation.
The DBF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All postholders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.
All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory DBS check where required.
Applications marked ‘Confidential Application’ to be sent to: HR@cofesuffolk.org or by post to Diocesan Office, St Nicholas Centre, 4 Cutler Street, Ipswich IP1 1UQ.
Closing date: 30 November - However, please note we will be reviewing and assessing applications on an ongoing basis prior to the closing date so you are advised to apply ASAP.
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