✍️ INTRODUCTION

Serving the countryside through faith, mission, farming and community

Across the UK, churches, Christian charities, rural networks and farming organisations are looking for people who feel called to make a difference in the countryside. From church ministry to community support, from food production to environmental care, rural vocations include clergy roles, chaplaincy, outreach, youth work, farming leadership and a wide range of charitable or support roles — some explicitly faith-based, others more broadly rooted in values of compassion, stewardship and service.

At The Arthur Rank Centre, we’re pleased to host a growing range of rural job opportunities — from church-based ministry to roles in farming, community organisations and rural charities. We hope this becomes a place of connection – where calling meets opportunity, and rural churches and communities find the people they need to thrive.

📢 CURRENT VACANCIES

Below are the latest opportunities submitted to us. More will be added regularly. If you’d like to advertise a vacancy, please see the section below.

December 2025 Closing Dates

January 2026 Closing Dates

Priest in Charge – Kirk Langley, Mugginton, Kedleston, Longford and Long Lane

Organisation: Diocese of Derby

Location: East Midlands – rural parishes on the edge of the City of Derby

Role type: Part-time permanent stipendiary role

Closing date: Friday 9 January 2026

Interview date: Tuesday 27 January 2026

These rural parishes lie on the edge of the City of Derby, giving easy access to the beautiful Derbyshire Dales
and the Peak District, whilst being within 15 minutes’ drive of vibrant city life.

The churches seek an enthusiastic, pastorally hearted, missional priest to work with them to:

  • Build links and develop relationships with the church schools, partnering with them to form new worshipping communities.
  • Nurture and disciple church members, particularly through launching small groups to help deepen their relationship with God.
  • Partner with Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy to support the farming community.
  • Support the churches in progressing through the Eco Church Awards.
  • Develop new and innovative ways of communicating across the benefice.
  • Explore sustainable models of governance.

You would be supported by church members committed to looking after your well-being,
ensuring you do not take on unrealistic levels of work.

Enquiries: Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales – nicky.fenton@derby.anglican.org


For further information and to apply, please click here

Rural & Agricultural Chaplain – Lincolnshire                                                                                                       

Organisation: Lincolnshire Rural & Agricultural Chaplaincy

Location: Lincolnshire (county-wide)

Role type: Part-time (0.5 FTE), ecumenical appointment

Closing date: 31 January 2026

A new opportunity to serve as a Rural & Agricultural Chaplain, offering a visible pastoral presence across Lincolnshire.
The role focuses on building trusted relationships and providing an independent listening ear to people within farming and rural communities.

The appointment is open to ordained ministers from any denomination, and to lay people with appropriate experience in pastoral, rural or agricultural contexts.

Enquiries:
Mrs Meryl Ward, Chair, Lincolnshire Rural & Agricultural Chaplaincy – 07860 565289
Revd Alan Robson, Agricultural Chaplain – 07542 272049

In partnership with: The Diocese of Lincoln; The Methodist Church (Lincolnshire District); Lincolnshire Agricultural Society; LRSN.

To view Job Description, please click here

To view Person Spec please click here

To apply please complete the Application form and Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form

✉️ SUBMIT A VACANCY

If you’d like to share a role here – whether clergy, lay, chaplaincy, youth, admin or outreach – please send the following to info@arthurrankcentre.org.uk:

  • Job title

  • Organisation

  • Location

  • Role type

  • Application deadline

  • Short summary (approx. 100 words)

  • Link to apply or download a full job description

  • Optional logo or image

Listings are currently free to support our rural churches, communities and partner organisations.
We may introduce a small fee in the future to sustain this service – details will be published in advance.

WHY WORK IN RURAL MINISTRY OR MISSION?

Rural ministry is often less about hierarchy and more about relationship. It’s about presence, trust, hospitality and collaboration. Whether you’re leading worship across multiple parishes, working with farming communities, supporting rural schools, or enabling local outreach, rural roles offer space for creativity and depth.

Want to explore more?
📖 Read real stories in Country Way
📚 Explore our training opportunities

SUPPORT THIS RESOURCE

If this page helps you or your organisation, please consider supporting the work of The Arthur Rank Centre with a donation. Together, we can resource, encourage and equip the rural Church.

👉 Donate now