Second Church in Newton West Newton, MA. Senior Pastor. Massachusetts Conference, Metropolitan Boston Association SUMMARY CHURCH PROFILE

Transcription

1 Second Church in Newton West Newton, MA Senior Pastor Massachusetts Conference, Metropolitan Boston Association December 4, 2017 SUMMARY CHURCH PROFILE LISTING INFORMATION Church name: Second Church in Newton Street address: 60 Highland Street, West Newton MA Supplemental web links: Additional ecumenical affiliations: Conference: Massachusetts Association: Metropolitan Boston UCC Conference or Association Staff Contact Person: Rev. Wendy Vander Hart Title: Associate Conference Minister Phone:

2 Summary Ministry Description: We are seeking an energized pastor to join with us and guide us to a deeper and more engaged Christian discipleship, giving of ourselves to each other, to the local community, and to the wider world. We are looking for a settled pastor who shares our values as an Open and Affirming, Progressive Christian congregation of the United Church of Christ. Our recent Crossroads project incorporated the thoughts and ideas of a large percentage of our congregation and confirms our desire to develop a realistic path to provide spiritual growth through service, and, with God s help, growth in our numbers as well. We seek to become a strong recognized force in our community - not just a neighborhood church, but an organization that prides itself on being accepting of all those who cross its threshold regardless of their motivation. We understand that prudent use of our assets amassed by so many committed members through the years must be paired with investment of our own talents of time, personal knowledge, and abilities as God would have us do. Our congregation expects the pastor, staff, and lay leaders to work collaboratively, balancing responsibilities to provide meaningful services, support members, promote activities and manage church operations. We are looking for a pastor who has the passion to believe in what they are doing as well as the ability to inspire others. One with communication skills who is comfortable initiating conversations rather than waiting for others to speak first. We would welcome a thoughtful listener with a sense of humor who guides with wisdom, compassion, and love. We believe a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which the rest of ministry will be built. SECOND CHURCH IN NEWTON - SUMMARY CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 2

3 Photographs: Figure 1: Aerial view of the church Figure 2: Front Entrance Figure 3: Sanctuary Figure 4: Parsonage SECOND CHURCH IN NEWTON - SUMMARY CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 3

4 What we value about living in our area: We are located close to Boston with all its rich culture and opportunities. Newton is a beautiful community full of diverse perspectives. It is a safe community with a vibrant school system and a wealth of community involvement. Current size of membership: 124 Languages used in ministry (other than English): Occasional German, Latin, French, Spanish, and other languages in music and on special days such as Pentecost and World Communion Sunday. Position Title: Senior Pastor Position Duration: Settled The position is a settled position, to be governed by a pastoral evaluation process with clear goals, objectives, outcomes and follow-up. Compensation Level: Full Time Does the total support package meet conference compensation guidelines? Yes SCOPE OF WORK We expect that our new settled pastor will energetically help us extend our mission deep into our community, lead us to effectively streamline our governance, and expand our Christian Education program. We are looking for someone who is spiritually grounded and seeking to grow in Spirit and faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ with us. We value variety in Christian spiritual practices as well as those from other faith traditions. SECOND CHURCH IN NEWTON - SUMMARY CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 4

5 Otherwise, the Scope of Work is well described on page 5 of the Call Agreement Workbook. Core Competencies: Organized Enthusiastically Christian Mission Oriented COMPENSATION AND SUPPORT Salary Basis: We intend to follow Conference guidelines regarding salary and benefits. Benefits: Salary plus Benefits What is the expected living situation for your next minister? Parsonage Comment on the residential/commuting expectations for your next minister. Our parsonage, located at 154 Randlett Park in West Newton, is a 10-minute walk to the church. State any incentives: None Describe peer and professional supports available for ministers in your association/conference: We strongly encourage our pastor to participate in a MACUCC Clergy Community of Practice. There is an active Newton Clergy Association. SECOND CHURCH IN NEWTON - SUMMARY CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 5

6 If applicable, describe how your church will adopt part-time adjustments in the pastoral schedule to support a minister s bi-vocational employment: We do not anticipate bi-vocational employment. WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US? A. Clarifying our identity-- who we are and who we aspire to become. We are on a path of clarifying who God is calling us to be. By the time our new pastor joins us, we will be further down that path. However, our new identity will no doubt still be emerging, and our new pastor can help us clarify and claim it. The following is our draft purpose statement (pending affirmation of congregational meeting): The Second Church in Newton is an inclusive community of curious and creative spiritual seekers, committed to learning, teaching, social justice and embodying a progressive practice of Christianity through loving kindness, engagement and joyful worship. B. Being more impactful in building a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. We know that we want to have a more potent impact, and we know that doing so together will fuel our spiritual growth individually and collectively. One of the primary reasons that families with children come to our church is because they want the children to learn, by both thinking and doing, about making the world a better place for all of us, for we are all God's children. We invite our new pastor to help us engage these challenges. C. Building our relationships within our congregation across the generations and reinvigorating our Christian education for all, young and old. Our Associate Pastor, who was quite effective in attracting and keeping young families, left abruptly to become a Senior Pastor in Maine. Despite valiant efforts on the part of a small group of dedicated volunteers on the Christian Education Committee, our number of families with children through high school has dramatically declined, and we are rebuilding youth and adult education. Our new pastor will help us to find our passion for being an integrated, learning community, and help us to create a path of renewal. SECOND CHURCH IN NEWTON - SUMMARY CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 6

7 We recognize that Second Church is in the process of reinventing itself. This will be helped by a minister who is a leader as well as a nurturer. They must be able to call forth the gifts of the church members to make this transition. Patience is a must, but a sense of urgency when things start to drag on will also be necessary and appreciated. Specify language requirements or culturally-specific capacities preferred in a next ministerial leader, and why those matter to the congregation s sense of calling. Our next minister will need to listen deeply and be in dialogue with a wide range of people of various ages, wealth, education, work, race, language, national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Today our church includes many people with a high degree of formal education and economic status. However, we want to be in right relationship with our neighbors with less means, less formal education, those in transitional housing, and those at risk because of their immigration status. Having a minister who can help us achieve, over time, these lofty aspirations will be transformative. Based on what you have learned about who your church is, who your church s neighbor is, and who God is calling the church to become, describe four areas of excellence from The Marks of Faithful & Effective Authorized Ministry that your next minister will display to further equip the congregation s ministry in these areas. Building transformational leadership skills Working together for justice and mercy Exhibiting a spiritual foundation Strengthening intra- and inter- personal assets SECOND CHURCH IN NEWTON - SUMMARY CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 7