Would a church employ me if I'm not at all religious?

[Blackbeardsvest]

Just that really, a local church has advertised an admin type job and I would like to apply but don't know if I would be considered because I'm not religious. Just thought there might be people here who would know what might happen at their church, would a non-church goer be considered?

The CofE do employ open atheists, even as priests.

I used to be a quite senior volunteer at a church, as an agnostic. I volunteered because the role suited me.

They often encouraged me to apply for paid positions in partner churches.

Tip: for certain types of admin roles, they cannot hire from within their own congregation. So I'd say they'd be happy to have your application.

Best of luck

Brilliant, thanks both. I'm trying to get back into work after 15 years at home with DC so I'm quietly terrified! This position is only a few hours a week though so I'm hoping it might be just what I need, thanks again for the info.

Sounds great, go for it OP!

I'd be very wary of this. Through my job I sometimes have to work with our local cathedral and they employ some of the most difficult people I have ever met. They are surprisingly very unchristian when it comes to neighbourly values!

I work in the church and find people generally very appreciative. There's the odd funny one that everyone tolerates because, you know, Christian values!

You will need to be sympathetic to their core principles- not to believe, but not to undermine or conflict.

I organise a network of church administrators- it can be a lonely role- and one of us is not Christian. It really isn't a problem.

That's CofE though. Independent churches will vary.

It should say on the advert/job description if there is an occupational requirement for Christian beliefs. If not, go for it.

However, I would check the church’s Website to see if they have a statement of belief on it. If they are very dogmatic, I would avoid.

😆 "even as priests"

Go for it op and good luck :)

I've seen roles working for Christian charities advertised, where you are requested to be sympathetic to their beliefs, but do not have to hold them yourself. I imagine this would be the same.

I'm sorry, what?!

Completely agree with AGlinnerOfHope.

I am not religious but I work as the administrator for a group of CofE churches. No problem at all.

I do admin for 3 churches. I am Christian but don't attend services.
Depending on the role description it does help to have some knowledge of how a church works, and I deal with a lot of bereaved families and difficult brides, and a lot of elderly volunteers. So having patience is a big plus!
But no I don't think it matters. Generally the church folk I deal with are just very grateful to have someone who is good at the admin!

You'll have to be not anti their cause. And they may try and convert you

That's not my experience! if you were very anti religion, why would you apply for the job??!?

I've spent the last 15 years caring for and home educating my autistic DD so patience is second nature to me. I don't have faith but wouldn't say I'm anti-religion at all and was raised broadly C of E (it's a C of E church) so have some understanding of how things work. Dealing with the bereaved, volunteers and the elderly sounds right up my street tbh, I like people and don't get remotely fazed by people's quirks, I have plenty of my own 😊

I'm slowly putting together a (hopefully impressive) covering letter to go with my (woefully unimpressive) CV and your replies are really helpful as to what they will be looking for so thank you all. Need all the luck I can get tbh, don't think I'm a very attractive proposition for most employers having been out of the workforce for so long so hoping the church will look kindly on me!

What denomination is the church?

Yeah, the CoE have gone to the dogs

Good luck! I work for a church in community outreach but don’t worship. But their values are my values! Community, kindness, service and three key values: love, respect and hope.
You don’t have to be religious to agree with that.

It really depends on the denomination.

The church I attend is a large, studenty church that only employs Christians.

This hurts my heart 💔

It would be hard to argue that being a practising Christian is essential for an admin role. However it might be that the role is only open to church members due to the sensitive nature of the information held.

Well I'm not certain on this but I suspect for a church administrator's position that would be illegal.

I'm a PCC secretary and our last administrator was certainly not a member of our church and so far as I'm aware wasn't a member of any.

I also attended the same hobby class as an administrator at an abbey church, who told me she wasn't a believer.

As to sensitive information - everyone's subject to the same data and safeguarding regulations, whatever their faith or lack of it.

As a church in wales vicar (like church of england) when I advertise for administrators I have no expectation that they will be a christian but obviously that they would be sympathetic to the ethos. I wouldn't want someone phoning up about a funeral and the administrator saying 'are you sure you want a funeral with the fairy tale element...' (OK maybe that is unlikely to happen but I can't think of a proper example at the moment)
Also as I have only ever advertised part time roles personally I expect to have applications from people coming back into the work field after having children etc. Good luck with your application.

Possibly you live near me🙂
There should be a good job description, which probably says something like "In sympathy with the Christian faith and the mission of our parish". So, being a practising Christian isn't a requirement, but if you were anti-christian then you're not the right person for the job. Good luck with your application!