2700 SW Martin Highway, Palm City, FL CHURCH INFORMATION FORM

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1 2700 SW Martin Highway, Palm City, FL CHURCH INFORMATION FORM Palm City Presbyterian Church is prayerfully seeking to fill the position of SENIOR PASTOR/HEAD OF STAFF. Congregational Overview: Palm City Presbyterian Church is located in beautiful Palm City, Florida on the Atlantic coast between Jupiter and Ft. Pierce. We have 563 members and had an average weekly worship attendance of 326 in Many of our members are seasonal, with attendance highest from November through April. The church budget for fiscal year January 1, 2015 December 31, 2015 was $1.3 million. We have a thriving ministry with educational programs for children, teens and adults and an active missions ministry that includes 24 local and 14 global mission partners. SUNDAY MORNINGS: We have three worship services on Sunday mornings, sharing the same sermon message at each. The 9:30 a.m. service features Praise and Worship with our Cornerstone Praise Band and the 8:20 and 11:00 a.m. services feature our Chancel Choir with a traditional style. Sunday School for all ages is offered at 9:30; Sunday School for pre-k through 2 nd grade is offered at 11 am; Nursery Care (infant 2 years) is offered all morning.

2 SUNDAY EVENING AND WEEKDAYS: Palm City Presbyterian offers a variety of programs: Middle School and High School Youth Groups, Ambassadors, MOPS, Preschool Praise, Awana, Kid s Ring! (children s bell choir), Bells of Praise (adult bell choir), Cornerstone Praise Team, Brass Ensemble, and Chancel Choir. Adult Education opportunities include adult Sunday school, Community Bible Study, Men s and Women s Bible Study, Pastor s Bible Study, Firm Believers, Sandhill Cove Study, and four weekly Small Groups. Our facilities are also used regularly by community groups such as, Toastmasters, Civitan, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Our History: Our church was established as Palm City Presbyterian Church in 1984, and held its first service on our existing campus in Our services originally took place at the Palm City Civic Center. We became a member of the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) in April, Our Identity: Presbyterians are Christians. As followers of Jesus Christ, there are many beliefs we share in common with other Christian denominations such as the Trinity, the Incarnation of Christ, the death and resurrection of Christ, and the inspiration of Scripture. Presbyterians are Evangelical. We share beliefs in common with other Protestant denominations that were formed in the sixteenth century as well as those that were founded later. These are best summed up with the Five Solas of the Reformation. (See Presbyterians are Reformed. The Reformed faith, or Calvinism is taken from the theological system developed by Swiss Reformers of the 16 th century and is often summarized by the Doctrines of Grace. (See An expanded Statement of Our Identity is available here. Our Purpose / Mission: To unite with Christ and make Him known. Our Strategy: We accomplish our purpose and our vision through five strategies: 1. Worship: We honor God through both our corporate worship and our individual lives. 2. Fellowship: We relate to one another and to Christ through gospel-based community. 3. Education: We learn about the person and work of Christ through Bible study and prayer. 4. Ministry: We serve God, our fellow Christians, and those who don t know Christ through our spiritual gifts. 5. Mission: We reach out to a world in need through charity, giving, witness, and time.

3 Our Leadership Sturcture: As of July 1, 2016 we have an experienced Transitional Pastor serving as Lead Pastor and Head of Staff. We are led and served by a board of Elders and Deacons each of whom serves a term of three years. There is a staff liaison and Elder representation on each of our seven ministry teams: Christian Education, Personnel and Administration, Membership, Worship, Building and Grounds, Missions and Finance. Our Current Staff: Transitional Pastor/Head of Staff (FT), Associate Pastor/Director of Music (FT), Director of Youth Ministries (FT), Director of Children s Ministries (FT), Administrative Assistant (FT), Principal Organist (PT), Secretary/Receptionist (PT), Bookkeeper (PT), Musicians, Youth Ministry Assistants, Child Care Workers, Custodial Worker (PT), Sexton (Contractor) Our Campus: The 8.2 acre campus includes a sanctuary which seats more than 500, a 90-seat chapel, and adjacent buildings with multipurpose gathering space, classrooms, nursery facilities, choir room, library, meeting space and private offices. The grounds include a columbarium and memorial garden marked the grand opening of our Huizenga Family Life Center. This building houses a gymnasium, a performance stage with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, a commercial kitchen and servicing area. The Lord has blessed our church family! We are excited at all the opportunities God has in store for us in the future.

4 SENIOR PASTOR/HEAD OF STAFF POSITION DESCRIPTION The role of the Senior Pastor/Head of Staff is a full-time commitment with responsibility for worship, serving as Head of Staff in overseeing daily operational and personnel matters, providing Pastoral Care for congregants, moderating the Session, interfacing with the ECO denomination and other duties as assigned by the Session. The congregation has expressed via a recent survey the following priorities for the Senior Pastor: Qualifications: Strong in teaching and preaching Strong leader with staff and volunteers Visionary leader who can inspire others Warm and caring personality Encourages children and youth ministry A growing and vibrant faith with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior Demonstrated knowledge of the Bible; strong preaching skills with the ability to proclaim the Gospel Teaching experience and ability to equip people at all stages of spiritual life and growth with a deepening knowledge and ability to apply Biblical principles in their daily lives and to minister to others Wholehearted agreement with the doctrinal statements of ECO and eligibility for approval by the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians as a Senior Pastor/Head of Staff Master of Divinity required; Doctorate of Ministry desired. Preferred 10+ years in Ministry with three years experience as a Senior Pastor/Head of Staff Proven track record with a church of substantial membership and growth over time Demonstrated people and communication skills; comfortable relating to people of all ages; warm and caring personality Excellent management, organizational, fiscal, and administrative skills Successful track record in recruiting and involving lay members Successful track record in team building and staff mentoring

5 Responsibilities: Prepare, lead, pray, preach the Word, and administer the sacraments in Sunday worship and other services as appropriate Embrace and appreciate the music ministry of the church Embrace and enhance the mission ministry of the church Embrace and nurture the church family, striving to build unity, healing, and fellowship and reaching out to strengthen existing, inactive and new member relationships and connections Provide leadership and ministry concerning change, conflict management, reconciliation, planning and growth Guide the congregation in ever deepening personal and corporate prayer Supervise activities of the church working in partnership with the staff, ministries, committees and teams to assist them in carrying out their assigned tasks and providing accountability for results Provide leadership for budgeting and financial planning; manage accountability of stewardship/finance teams Provide for pastoral care to include visitation, crisis care, and counseling Officiate at weddings, baptisms and memorials as requested Plan and moderate Session and Congregational meetings in consultation with the Clerk of Session and in accordance with the bylaws of Palm City Presbyterian Church and the polity of ECO Conduct regular staff meetings to coordinate program and administrative responsibilities, to provide continuity of vision and leadership, to establish accountability measures and to build a unified team Provide leadership in the search process for open pastoral and staff positions Exercise general oversight of church facilities Represent Palm City Presbyterian Church to the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) and to the community and community organizations Compensation and Housing: Compensation for the Senior Pastor includes salary and housing allowance, pension plan, insurance and other typical benefits as specified by ECO. Candidates wishing to be considered for the Senior Pastor position should send a resume, letter of introduction, and application to Brandon Tucker at bdtucker97@me.com. Additional information on the church may be obtained at

6 Expanded Statement of Our Identity OUR MISSION: To unite with Christ and make Him known. OUR STRATEGY: We accomplish our purpose and our vision through five strategies: 1. Worship: We honor God through both our corporate worship and our individual lives. 2. Fellowship: We relate to one another and to Christ through gospel-based community. 3. Education: We learn about the person and work of Christ through bible-study, prayer, and corporate worship. 4. Ministry: We serve God, our fellow Christians, and those who don t know Christ through our spiritual gifts. 5. Mission: We reach out to a world in need through charity, giving, witness, and time. OUR IDENTITY: Presbyterians are Christian. As followers of Jesus Christ, there are many beliefs we share in common with other Christian denominations. God is creator of the universe and all that exists within it. Christ is the incarnation of God on earth fully human and fully God. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in the world and in the believer. The Trinity is God as one in essence, but three in person. The Church is a universal company of Christ's followers. The forgiveness of sin is made possible through repentance and faith in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Life everlasting and the resurrection of the body is ours because Jesus rose from the dead. The Bible is the inspired word of God.

7 Presbyterians are Evangelical. We share beliefs in common with other denominations that split from the Roman Catholic Church in the sixteenth century as well as those that were founded later. These are best summed up with the Five Solas of the Reformation. Faith Alone (Sola Fides): Protestants believe that faith in the work of Jesus Christ as the sole grounds for our justification before a Holy God. We are justified, or brought into a right relationship with God through grace. This does not happen by our own effort, but by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Because of God's love for us, Jesus Christ took sin upon himself and became the full and final sacrifice for the sins of the world. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 3:6-11, 2 nd Helvetic , Westminster , Essential Tenets III.A-B.) Grace Alone (Sola Gratia): Classical Protestantism has always recognized that the faith that justifies us before a Holy God is God s gift to us. We do not produce or manufacture this faith from some inner part of our being. Faith is not man s contribution to the plan of salvation. It is the gift of God lest any man should boast (Luke 17:5, Romans 9:10-16, Philippians 1:29, Ephesians 1:3-8, Ephesians 2:8-9, Scots Confession XII, Heidelberg 4.065, 2 nd Helvetic 5.113, Essential Tenets III.A.-B.) Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura): Protestants also believe in the authority of scripture. Scripture is the written revelation of God and always points, through the Holy Spirit, to the living revelation of God in Christ. The purpose of scripture is to bring persons to salvation and guide them in living a life of faith. (Psalm 119:18, Psalm 138:2, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Westminster 6.001, Essential Tenets I.) Christ Alone (Solus Christus): Our salvation comes through the work of Christ alone. It is the works of Christ alone which satisfies the demands of God and the Law. The righteousness by which we are justified is an alien righteousness. It does not originate in us but rather comes from Christ. His sacrifice takes away our sins. His perfection (imputed righteousness) makes us acceptable to a holy God. (John 5:24-25, John 11:25, John 14:6, I Timothy 2:5-6, Colossians 1:13-18, Acts 4:12, Westminster 6.038, 6.043, 2 nd Helvetic XI.) To God Alone Be the Glory (Soli Deo Gloria): Man is by very nature prone to idol worship. The essence of idolatry is worshiping a substitute in the place of God. God alone is worthy of our worship and as such any form of worship to other gods is idolatry. God alone is the focus of our worship. (Exodus 20:3, Romans 11:36, I Corinthians 10:31, Revelation 19:1, Revelation 1:6, II Peter 3:1, Ephesians 3:21, Romans 11:36, 2 nd Helvetic Confession 5.023, Essential Tenets II.A.) Presbyterians are Reformed. The Reformed Faith, or Calvinism is taken from the theological system developed by Swiss Reformers of the 16 th century and is often summarized by the Doctrines of Grace. However, true Calvinism encompasses more than these famous five points. Radical Corruption: Sin affects every part of the human condition. Our bodies, our minds, our emotions, our will, our sexuality: everything. John Calvin argued that knowledge of God is implanted in every human heart, but is suppressed by human sin. People willingly choose not to acknowledge God as their creator and instead

8 create idols defined as anything we create that we give our ultimate allegiance to. (John 3:19-20, John 6:44, Ephesians 2:5, Colossians 2:13, Romans 5:12, Mark 4:11, Scots Confession III, Heidelberg Catechism 4.005, 2 nd Helvetic Confession , Westminster Confession , , Essential Tenets III.A.) Sovereign Election: Before we ever said yes to God, God said yes to us. The central point is that the initiative belongs to God, and we respond to Him. His decision is based solely on what pleases Him, and not any future action or decision we make. Any part we might contribute in this process gives us something to boast about. God stands at the beginning, the middle, and the end of our salvation. Election is the Reformed way of saying "grace alone." (Ephesians 1:4-8, Romans 9:11,15,16,21, I Thessalonians 1:4, John 3:16-18, 2 Peter 1:10, Ephesians 2:10, Scots Confession VIII, 2 nd Helvetic Confession , Westminster Confession , Essential Tenets III.B.) Definite Atonement: God s saving love is particular. When Christ died on the cross of Calvary, he received exactly what he paid for. He did not die to make salvation possible for everyone. He made salvation guaranteed for those who were elected by the Father. Jesus is an actual Savior, not merely a potential Savior. (Isaiah 53:4-6, John 10:11, John 10:27, John 17:6-12, Ephesians 5:25, Matthew 26:29, John 6:37, Essential Tenets III.A.4.) The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is able to regenerate our hearts, making them inclined to God, despite our natural inclination to resist God s grace. Our hearts are made alive by the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit works in conjunction with the Word of God to affect this change of heart. This regeneration produces a real and substantive change in a person s nature. Regeneration proceeds faith. (John 1:12-13, John 3:5, John 5:25, John 6:37, Romans 8:14, Colossians 2:13, Acts 11:18, I Peter 5:10, Westminster Confession , Essential Tenets III.B.1.) The Perseverance of the Holy Spirit: God finishes what he starts. The same God who began a good work in us will finish the job. He doesn t leave us to ourselves. While we still sin, even in our state of justification, the Holy Spirit works in us to conform us to the image of Christ. (John 3:16, John 4:13-14, John 6:39, John 17:12, Romans 8:28-39, II Corinthians 4:7-16, Philippians 1:6, Westminster ,, Essential Tenets III.A.2.) The Sovereignty of God: We know the actions of God are intentional and directed toward the accomplishment of his purposes in his creation. God also uses human means in history to accomplish his purposes, yet such means do not involve coercion. We are still responsible for our decisions and actions. Everything that happens falls within the realm of God s will, either passively, or actively. (Romans 8:28, Essential Tenets II.A.2., 2 nd Helvetic Confession 5.029, Westminster ) Stewardship: Stewardship is an attitude toward all of creation. We are creatures given the responsibility as stewards, or servants, to care for all God has created, in the same way Adam and Eve were charged to care for the Garden of Eden (Gen. 1:28). Grace motivates us to live in gratitude. Redemption calls us to respond in thankfulness by caring for all that God has given us. As we recognize that all life, faith, love, and every other gift comes from God, so we recognize our responsibility to render back a portion of what has been given us in these areas. This "rendering back" might include time, talent, and treasures. Stewardship is a spiritual matter, not a synonym for raising money. (Scots Confession XIII, Essential Tenets III.D.1., Heidelberg Catechism 4.086) Obedience: We are to be obedient to the Word of God, which directs us to work for justice in the transformation of society. All our life is a response to all that God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has done and is doing. (Westminster Confession , , Essential Tenets III.E.) Go back to page 2

9 Senior/Head of Staff Pastor Application Personal Information Name Address City State Zip Phone Office Cell Home Current Position Ordination Date Presbytery Current Presbytery Anticipated Date of Entry into ECO Status {see ECO } Pastor/Head of Staff Associate Pastor Assistant Pastor (could be equivalent to parish associate as well) Transitional Pastor Pastor in Validated Ministry Affiliate Pastor Honorably Retired Pastor Narrative Information 1. Why are you interested in bringing your ministry to PCPC? 2. Can you provide a Statement of Faith? 3. How does your current ministry compare to your knowledge of ECO and PCPC? 4. How do your personal convictions compare to the identity statement in the CIF? 5. What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing Christianity today? Commitment If received into ECO I agree to {please initial at each line}: Receive and adopt the Essential tenets of ECO: {If serving an ECO congregation} Ensure that all elders and deacons receive, adopt and be bound by the Essential Tenets of ECO: Participate fully in the peer review process: Signed Date Print Name Go back to page 5