February 12, 2015 Bethany Baptist Church 275WestMarketStreet Newark,NJ07103 Rev.Dr.M.WilliamHoward,Jr.,Pastor 973A623A8161 www.bethanyanewark.org The Reverend Dear Reverend, Thank you for your inquiry about the application for Pastor of our Church Enclosed is a Pastoral Profile, a brief history of our church and an application for pastoral leadership. We are seeking applications from experienced, competent ministers. The Profile highlights basic requirements for the position. Please complete the application and return it to the Secretary of the Succession Planning Committee (SPC) as follows: Bethany Baptist Church Attn: Marjorie Hunter, Secretary Succession Planning Committee (SPC) 275 West Market Street Newark, New Jersey 07103 You can also email your information to: clerks@bethany-newark.org You are asked not to contact any member of the Pulpit Selection Committee. Any candidate who contacts a member of the Pulpit Selection Committee seeking information or favoritism will be automatically disqualified. If you have any questions, please write/email (don t telephone) the Secretary of the Committee and we will respond to you in timely manner. May God Bless you in your ministry. Sincerely yours, Marjorie Hunter Marjorie Hunter Secretary, Succession Planning Committee
PastoralProfile Bethany Baptist Church Newark, NJ Spirituality and Vision: Bethany is looking for a Pastor who is deeply rooted in Biblical principles. This pastor s life should reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ and the applications of the same in everyday interactions with members and others. As the spiritual leader of the church, the pastor must have a heart for the deep longings and aspirations of the members of the church. We are looking for someone who models humility borne out of wisdom, a growing spirituality, compassion, a passion for justice and love. The pastor must have an abiding belief in the role of the church as a beacon of light to the unsaved, and be guided by this vision. We are looking for someone who is rooted in the life of the study of the faith, and lives it out with understanding, enthusiasm and creativity as a teacher of the Bible for 21st century application and discipleship. Pastoral Skills and Leadership Style The candidate must currently possess a Bachelors degree and a M.Div. from an accredited seminary, and must also be licensed and ordained (according to the standards of the American Baptist Churches, USA) with five or more years ministerial experience along with knowledge of Baptist policies, principles and procedures. A plus would be to have earned or working on an earned Doctorate. The candidate should demonstrate sensitivity and excellence in counseling and have an open and welcoming spirit, inclusive of all ages, races, sexual orientation and educational levels. Bethany Baptist Church is looking for a good planner and administrator to work collaboratively with the officers in programming, evaluating and improving the effectiveness of church ministries. There should be special focus on youth ministry and involvement. The pastor should be an engaging preacher committed to teaching spiritual discipline and insight that deepen devotion and commitment, competency in equipping the people of God for ministry. The ideal candidate will be able to connect with all age groups and skilled in developing age specific programs. The pastor should be able to connect and work with civic and social leaders on local and national levels. The candidate should also display political awareness (locally and globally) and be committed to connecting spiritual, health, political and fiscal matters for the benefit of the membership. The candidate must demonstrate through accomplishments, partnerships and testimony of previous churches, strong and visionary leadership that will take Bethany s ministry into the future on solid spiritual ground. Personal Qualities: Bethany Baptist Church is looking for a pastor who lives out a life of integrity (personal, spiritual, professional) rooted in the ethical life of a servant-leader. We are looking for a pastor who has the warmth of the Holy Spirit, approachable, possesses a capacity for laughter, able to cultivate a climate of friendship in the church, and conducts a life worthy of the dignity of the office the pastor.
ABriefHistory&OverviewofBethanyBaptistChurch Est.1871 BETHANYBAPTISTCHURCH Rev.Dr.M.WilliamHoward,Jr.,Pastor 275WestMarketStreet Newark,NewJersey07103 973B623B8161 973B643B1701(fax) www.bethanybnewark.org
Mission Statement Empowered by Holy Spirit, Bethany s mission is to Recruit, Equip, and Deploy witnesses for Christ Startingwiththemissiontorecruit,equipanddeploy,Bethany schurchorganizationsexaminetheir practices,motives,andoutcomeswithadeterminationtoworkwithintheirowncapacitiestoward thesameultimategoalofbeingthevoice,handsandfeetofchrist. UltimatelywewanttobestudentsofChristwhouseourunderstandingtomakemeaningful, transformativechangesinourownlives,ourhomes,ourneighborhoods,cities,andtheworld. RECRUIT Bethanyinvitesindividualsandfamiliestojoininweeklyserviceandencouragesmemberstobe involvedinchurchministries. Bethanysupportsandencourageschurchministriestobeablessingtothespiritual,physical,mental, andsocialneedsofthecongregationandthegreaterchurchcommunity. Bethanymaintainsanactivepresenceinthelocalandglobalcommunitytobestmeettheneedsand challengesoftheday. EQUIP BethanyiscommittedtoexploringthedepthandbreadthoftheBible,informingourunderstandingof thecallofchristinourlivesthroughthelensofourchristianethicsandtradition. Bethanyconsistentlyworkstohelpmembersbridgethegapbetweenourfaithandworks,teaching thejoyandgiftofservice. Bethanyprovidesongoingopportunitiestoexpandthespiritual,health,financial,political,andsocial knowledgeandunderstandingofthecongregationandcommunityatlarge. DEPLOY Bethanyseekstoensurethatthegifts,camaraderie,andblessingsfoundandnurturedwithinthe churchwallsaresharedwiththecommunityandtheworld. Bethanyencouragesmemberstosharetheirtime,talentandmoneyinawaythatmeetstheneedsof God speopleandhonorstheteachingsandwalkofchrist. 1
BriefHistory Bethany is a strong; Christ centered church that continues to grow in love. We are also community centeredandmissiondriven.ithasbothpassionandcompassionbessentialsforchrist sfollowersand moves forward with resolution, imagination and trust in the unchanging God. Through the years BethanyhassupportedbothlocalandnationalBaptistconventionsandassociationsthatarededicated tocaringfor theleastofthose amongusascommandedbyoursavior.currentlyweareaffiliatedwith AmericanBaptistChurches/USA,AmericaBaptistChurchesNJ,LottCareyForeignMissionConvention andthenationalbaptistconvention.wealsosupportseverallocalassociations.wearetheoldestblack BaptistchurchinthecityofNewark. Bethanyhashadtwelvepastorsinthe144yearswiththelastthreecoveringover80years. Rev.Dr.WilliamP.Haynes The Great Depression impacted Newark and Bethany. For almost two years, the churchwaswithoutapastor.dr.williamprestonhayes,whowaspastorofmt.olivet Baptist Church in Harlem, accepted the invitation to serve Bethany as pastor and assumed office on June 5, 1932. Reverend Hayes was a manuscript preacher of greatskillanddepth.hewasactiveinbaptistcirclesandservedformanyyearsas president of the New England Baptist Convention. He was recognized as a prince among preachers. He served Bethany 29 years and much was accomplished. One of the best indicatorsofhisinfluenceinthecommunityat_largewashisserviceasacommissioneronthenewark HousingAuthority.Duetohisserviceinthatcapacity,alargepublichousingdevelopmentwasnamed inhishonor.dr.hayesretiredaspastoronjune30,1961,anddiedin1963attheageof82. Rev.Dr.JamesArthurScott OnNovember19,1962,thecongregationvotedtocalltheReverendJamesArthur Scott.ReverendScottwas,atthirty_twoyearsofage,oneoftheyoungestpastorsin thehistoryofbethany.thenewpastorhadpreviouslyservedasdirectorofurban ChurchProgramsandFieldRepresentativeforAmericanBaptistChurches,basedin New York, NY. His experience and training were to be severely tested, because Bethany was being forced to relocate due to urban renewal. Dr. Scott, having earned a Ph.D. degree at Rutgers in Urban Planning, served as president of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention and the American Baptist Convention. He was active internationally throughthebaptistworldalliance,andwaschairpersonofthebaptistworldalliance scongressin Australiaintheyear2000.RevScottpreachedhisfinalsermonaspastoronMay2000. Quiet,butfastmovingandunwillingtoacceptdefeatortoacknowledgedisappointment,Reverend Scott targeted programs toward the church community. The congregation had eroded during the periodwhentherewasnopastor.newprogramssuchasartshowsandyouthactivitieswerestarted. Anewchoirofyoungadultswasformed.Thecongregationacceptedmanynewideas,installingMrs. ThelmaB.Robinsonin1965asitsfirstfemaletrustee.Thechurch,ontheinitiativeoftheWoman s League, sponsored debutantes balls in 1969 and 1970. A new parsonage was purchased in 1969. Theneedforanewchurchfacilitywasevident.Acceptingthis,thecongregationandpastorgirdedfor thechallenge.thebuildingfundbudgetgrew,andthefirstmilliondollarshadbeenbankedby1974. OnJuly7,1974,groundbreakingserviceswereheldforanewchurchat275WestMarketStreet. 2
ThefinalworshipserviceatOldBethany,locatedat117WestMarketStreet,washeldat8:30a.m.on Sunday, November 30, 1975. Led by the pastor, deacons, trustees, ushers, choirs, and the Sunday School, the congregation marched from the Old to the New Bethany, singing We re Marching to Zion. Dedication services were held on May 2, 1976, followed by a weeklong celebration. Bethany continuedtogrow.infact,itsgrowthwassorapidthatitsoonfounditsfacilitiesinadequateinsize. Itsmembershippeakedatabout2,000orabout700families,andanexcellentstewardshipprogram insuredthatthemortgagewaspaidaheadofschedule. Dr.Scott,havingearnedaPh.D.degreeatRutgersinUrbanPlanning,servedaspresidentoftheLott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention and the American Baptist Convention. He was active internationally through the Baptist World Alliance, and was Chairperson of the Baptist World Alliance scongressinaustraliaintheyear2000.dr.scottpreachedhisfinalsermonaspastoron May7,2000. Rev.Dr.M.WilliamHoward,Jr. According to a divinely_inspired plan, overseen by Dr. Scott in the latter days of his tenure, The ReverendM.WilliamHoward,Jr.assumedleadershipas12thpastorofBethanythefollowingSunday, and later that same afternoon presided over his final commencement as president of New York Theological Seminary, a graduate school for theological education, which specialized in training leadersforserviceinpost_industrialcities,especiallythoseinthemetropolitanareainwhichnewark islocated. Thenewpastorbroughtarangeofexperiencesthatwouldlendthemselvestoasmoothtransitionof leadership, having served as an executive in the nation s oldest protestant denomination, as the youngest president of the National Council of Churches, and as a leader in the World Council of Churches. His tenure began with addressing concrete challenges facing the congregation and the community.heusheredinaneweraofcommunityengagementbythechurch.bethanyextendedits community outreach to include a successful elementary school University Heights Charter School, and a community development corporation Bethany Cares, Inc., (BCI) which supported the operationofachildren sdefensefundaffiliated FreedomSchool,andaprogramthatassistedsoon_ to_be_released,incarceratedyoungmenpreparingtoreturntoproductiverolesinsociety.inaddition, aprogramtoenhanceadultliteracyinthebroadercommunityandanafterschooltutoringprogram forelementaryschoolchildrenwerelaunched.throughhisefforts,dr.howardfosteredanenhanced commitmentbybethanytoadvancingsocialjusticeministries. 3
AmongtheinitiativesDr.Howardundertookbytheculminationofhisfirstdecadeaspastorin2010 were a Jazz Vespers worship service that recognized Jazz for it sacred dimensions, as well as an Institute for Sacred Music; he led in building a memorial plaza at the entry way of the church; professionalized the financial and information technology systems of the church; revived the Fellowship Circles, designed to keep in close touch with all church members; launched a golf outing that helps in underwriting costs for community ministries; participated in the transformation of the traffic intersection directly in front of the church, facilitated two persons to the ordained ministry, and spearheaded the congregation s historic decision to accept the baptisms of all Trinitarian believers. It was also during this first leg of Dr. Howard s tenure that Bethany hosted Fugitive Safe Surrender, a national program that paved the way for some 4,200 people to have criminal and civil warrants adjudicated with the least adverse impact on their lives. By its 140th year of service in 2011, Bethany was poised for even greater witness, with an even stronger connection to the daily challenges confronting the people of Newark. The congregation is enthusiastic about the divine opportunity for service it has been afforded by God s plan for the world. WeareacommunityBmindedchurchservingthecommunityatBlarge.Oneoflargestmissionsisour foodpantryandclothingcloset.thisisanonbprofitministryofbethanybaptistchurch.bothare outreach components of the Women s League and staffed by volunteers from the membership of Bethany.AlthoughtheprogramisChurchandFaithbased,religionisnotacriteriontoreceiveservices. Allarewelcomed.DuetothesupportoftheBethanyFamilyandthededicatedvolunteers,theFood PantryreportforthemonthofJun,2014served1,019.Wehaveprovidedemergencyfoodforover 7500people.AreferralfromapublicorprivatecommunityBbasedagencyisrequired.Ourfoodpantry isinpartnershipwiththecommunityfoodbankofnewjersey.assuch,itismonitoredbythestate andfederalgovernment.allinformationisstoredonthecomputer. 4
WealsohaveJazzVespershereattheChurchwhichisinits15 th year.thistakesplaceinthesanctuary ever1 st Saturday,fromOctoberthroughJune.Duringthesummer,theentiremonthofAugustwe worshipthelordinthespiritofjazzwithdifferentjazzartists.theattendanceisgreatwithavery diverseaudience.aworshipserviceispresentedwithashorthomily. YouthActivities TheGirl sritesofpassageprogram aimstoprepareyoungwomento meetthechallengesoftransitionfrom girlhoodtowomanhood,while internalizingprinciplesthatinstill confidence,self_esteem,and commitmenttofamilyand community. TheJuniorMissionaries,justlikeourSenior Missionaries,fullysupportthemandatefor missionwhichisfoundinacts1:8.our missionthereforeistocommitourselvesto reachoutthroughpersonalwitnessby helpingthepoorandneedy,thesickand shut_insinthegreaternewarkareaandto workzealouslytoseekprojectsthatserve thosewithouthope.wearecommittedto ChristandHiswordandshallsupportthe ministriesofourpastor,officersandchurchbodywhileweservegodandmanasmissionariesinthe communitythroughprayersandactsofhumankindness. 5
JuniorUsherBoard Psalm84:10Foradayinthycourtsisbetterthanathousand.Iwouldratherbeadoorkeeperinthe houseofgod;thandwellinthetentsofwickedness. ThemissionoftheBethanyJointSeniorandJuniorUsherBoardsistoperformadualserviceon Sundayandonspecialoccasionsasthedoorkeepersofthechurchandasambassadorsseekingto meettheneedsofourcongregationwhilegreetingandassistingourvisitors.thejointusherboardis committedtoachievingandperfectingeveryaspectofsteward_shipintheheartofourchurchandthe community.ourmissionistotrulyservegodandman. YouthChoir Bethany Cares Inc.,( BCI) Freedom School: www.bci-newark-org 6
TheBCIFreedomSchoolproject,modeledafteraprogramfoundedbytheChildren s+defense+fund,is a six_week summer program designed to serve children in communities where quality summer academic enrichment programming is rare, cost_prohibitive or non_existent. The program launched the first Newark site in 2006 at Bethany Baptist Church. Bethany Cares, Inc. services 85 scholars betweentheagesof5and11yearsoldwithasafeacademicsummerexperiencethatwillinstillin them the belief that they can make a difference (the+ Freedom+ School+ Theme) through a focus on literacy, cultural heritage and parental involvement. Through the Summer Freedom School experience,bethanycares,inc.alsoprovides16highschoolstudentsfromthegreaternewarkarea and 15 undergraduate students with a quality internship opportunity for six weeks this summer. Bethany Cares, Inc. aims to expand each young person s knowledge of literacy and of African American and Latino authors, playwrights, poets, etc. It is also our goal to develop young people academically and socially through the Integrated Reading Curriculum. The curriculum promotes readingenrichment,youthleadershipdevelopment,culturalenrichment,parentempowerment,civic engagement,andsocialaction.thechildren sdefensefundfreedomschoolprojectismodeledafter themississippifreedomsummerprojectof1964.the1964freedom+schools,+withacurriculumthat focusedonliteracyandhumanities,werestructuredtomotivateyoungpeopletobecomecritically engaged in their communities and to help them identify and design authentic solutions to local problems.thefreedomschoolsmovementwasrebornin1993undertheleadershipofmarianwright EdelmanandtheChildren'sDefenseFund'sBlackCommunityCrusadeforChildren. Accordingtotheendofthesummerscholarassessmentresultsover70ofFreedomSchoolstudents were academically prepared to enter the next grade level. The majority of returning scholars have shownimprovementinatleasttwoofthefollowingfiveways: Maintainedorimprovedliteracylevels Improvedattendanceinschool Improvedbehaviorinschool Betterengagementinschoolactivities Abilitytotalkaboutaproblemintheircommunityandhowtheymighttrytosolveit Amajorityofparentsattendingindicatesimprovementinatleastoneofthefollowingareasoverthe subsequentschoolyear: Attendedmoreparentmeetingsattheirchild sschool Volunteeredinthechild sschool AttendedthemajorityofFreedomschoolparentmeetings Ofthe25highschoolandcollege/graduatestudents internsandteachers: All have exhibited knowledge of problems in the community and are able to express potential solutionsandhowtoinvolveotherinthesolution. Allhavestayedontracktograduateandentercollegeortheworldofwork Allhavedemonstratedtremendousleadershipabilities. 7
SomeofBethany soutreachministries FoodPantry/ClothesCloset For+I+was+hungry+and+you+gave+me+something+to+eat,+I+was+thirsty+and+you+gave+me+ something+to+drink,+i+was+a+stranger+and+you+invited+me+in,+i+needed+clothes+and+you+clothed+ me,+i+was+sick+and+you+looked+after+me,+i+was+in+prison+and+you+came+to+visit+me.+ +Matthew+ 25:35H36 Isitnottodealthybreadtothehungry,andthatthoubringthepoorthatarecastouttothy house?whenthouseestthenaked,thatthoucoverhim;andthatthouhidenotthyselffrom thineownflesh?_isaiah58:7 HealthMinistry Ourmissionistoeducateandinformthemembershipandthecommunityabouthealthrelatedissues andpreventivemeasuresthatimpactusasafricanamericans: 1. weightcontrolandobesity 2. dietandexercise 3. smokingandalcohol 4. medicationcompliance 5. Lifestylechanges SeniorMissionaries TheSeniorMissionarySocietyfullysupportsthemandateformissionwhichisfoundinActs1:8.Our missionthereforeistocommitourselvestoreachoutthroughpersonalwitnessbyhelpingthepoor andneedy,thesickandshut_insinthegreater_newarkareaandtoworkzealouslytoseekprojects thatservethosewithouthope.wearecommittedtochristandhiswordandshallsupportthe ministriesofourpastor,officersandchurchbodywhileweservegodandmanasmissionariesinthe communitythroughprayersandactsofhumankindness. Women'sLeague ThemissionofTheWomen'sLeagueisto:promoteandencourageChristianfellowshipamong women;helptoimprovethequalityoflifewithinbethanyandinthecommunityat_largethrough monetarycontributionsandcharitableservices;and,tosupportandmaintainthebethanyclothes ClosetandFoodPantryforthosewhoaredestitute. 8
LineDancingGroup LineDancingatBethany_Strengthening+our+Bodies+to+Strengthen+our+Ministry AsapartoftheHealth&FitnessMinistry,LineDancingisdesignedtoassistmembersandfriendsof Bethanyinexercisingbodymuscles,improvingcardiovascularflowandburningafewexcesscalories inafun&vigorousmanner.everywednesday,participantslearnandexecuteaseriesofbody stretchesaswellasbeginner,intermediateandadvance_levellinedancesduringa60_minutesession. Eachworkoutempowersparticipantstomovetogetherinreachingtheirhealthgoalsandremaining equippedandfitforextensivechurchministry. DanceMinistry TheDanceMinistry smissionistoworshipandgrowclosertogodthroughdancemovement, FellowshipandBiblestudy. 9
Bethany Baptist Church Ministries and Associated Organizations Bethany Ministries: Altar Guild Archive Committee Black College Committee Black History Committee Book Club Christian Women's Alliance Clothes Closet Cradle Roll Dance Ministry Flower Club Food Pantry Girl Scouts Girls Rites of Passage Health & Fitness Ministry International Committee Jazz Vespers Joint Usher Board Junior Missionaries Junior Usher Board Ladies Union Lecture Committee Line Dancing Male Chorus Mass Choir Men's Fellowship Nurse's Unit Refuge Repast Sanctuary Choir Scholarship Fund Senior Missionary Sunday School Sunrise Choir Surrogates of Christ Travel Club Tutorial Program Unity Club Van Ministry Women's League Youth Choir Organizations Associated with Bethany University Heights Charter School Bethany Cares, Inc. (BCI) o Programs include: o BCI Freedom School o Tutorial Program (SCEEP) o Literacy Volunteers of Bethany o Golf Outing 10
Pastoral Application Form PERSONAL & FAMILY INFORMATION Full Name Home where correspondence should be sent E-mail & Social Media Pages, i.e. Facebook, Linkedln, Twitter Phone Numbers home cell Date of Birth Marital Status date of marriage Spouse s Name spouse s date of birth List all children with their ages EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS List all colleges, seminaries, and graduate schools attended, location of school, years attended and degrees List all denominational affiliations, positions held and dates
WORK EXPERIENCE Employer Name Title/Position Employed from to Employer Name Title/Position Employed from to Employer Name Title/Position Employed from to Employer Name Title/Position Employed from to Present salary, fringe benefits and total compensation Submit a copy of your Ordination Certificate Provide a statement about your call to ministry Provide a statement about diversity in the church, i.e. class, gender, race and sexual orientation Provide a statement on tithing How many staff do you supervise now and in the past, please describe What is the active membership at your present church, if applicable?
What is the annual budget for which you are responsible at your current place of employment, if applicable? List some major accomplishments during your tenure at present church or place of employment List membership on boards and committees List membership to civil rights groups REFERENCES Submit five references: -one from a full-time executive of a Church Denomination -one from non-baptist clergy -one college or seminary -two from people that you have pastored Name & title Organization Phone number e-mail Name& title Organization Phone number e-mail
Name & title Organization Phone number e-mail Name Organization Phone number e-mail Name Organization Phone number e-mail Confidentiality Statement: All names and material submitted to this committee will be handled with strict confidence. Your data will only be shared with members of the Pastoral Search Committee. You will only be contacted in the manner stipulated by you. Please indicate your preferred method of contact. Name: : City: State Zip: Phone # Email address: Again, thank you for your interest in this position. We will respond to you in a timely fashion.