QUESTION #1: What is the congregation's or organization's vision for ministry? Additionally describe how this vision is lived out. Davidson College Presbyterian Church (DCPC) is a large, vibrant multi-generational church located at the corner of campus and community less than 20 miles from Charlotte in one of the fastest growing areas of the state. In addition to being a college church and church home to many young families, the church was co-founder of The Pines--a retirement community of over 400 senior citizens including a number of retired faculty and clergy. Members of DCPC strive to live out the mission we established for ourselves. Our mission statement reads: We are the body of Christ-worshipping, learning, serving, loving, givingseeking to realize God s vision in the world. To enact this mission, DCPC supports: three Sunday services with Sunday school meeting during two services, as well as Bible Study, circle groups, intercessory prayer meetings throughout the week, and weekly fellowship meals followed by worship. community initiatives to meet a host of local needs including, but not limited to, service work with Ada Jenkins (a multi-service community agency), the Davidson Housing Coalition, the Davidson Cornelius Child Development Center, Habitat for Humanity, and Blythe Elementary School. active partnerships with churches in Kilambe, Nicaragua, and the Sigona Presbyterian Church in Kenya involving frequent trips for service and fellowship, as well as financial support of missionaries working in other areas of the world. an active music program with two large adult choirs, active youth and children s choirs, Sunday Union (Christian folk group), Roxology (youth group), and two bell choirs. The church also sponsors Organ at Davidson. a benevolence budget of 18.4% of the total budget, giving financial support as well as the time and talents of the church family to many worthwhile causes. As Christian believers, we gather for worship in the strength of the Holy Spirit. We teach the Gospel, minister to the needs of those in our community, seek the transformation of people s lives and equip them to reach out to the larger world for the sake of the glory of God.
QUESTION 2: How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging need of your community or constituency? As both a college and community church, DCPC has a deep historical commitment to lifelong learning. We believe that Christian education must be integrated into every aspect of the church s mission and must be integrated and practiced throughout all areas of congregational life. The Associate Pastor for Faith Formation will work collaboratively with the Faith Formation team to develop and implement a vision for comprehensive faith formation for all members of the DCPC community from childhood to adulthood. Responsibilities for the AP for Faith Formation include: leading, collaborating, supporting, and teaching within the adult ministry including our current work with adult Sunday school classes led by retired professors and ministers, Presbyterian Women, Disciple classes, Bible study groups, a men s breakfast group, the Beloved Community (partnership with Davidson Presbyterian Church), an Earth Care group, and a young adult group. overseeing the week-day school director and staff associates for children s and youth ministry. sharing in pastoral care ministry, providing staff support for church-wide retreats, and share in worship responsibilities as scheduled.
QUESTION 3: How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals? DCPC cites learning as an important part of our church s mission. As such, we seek an Associate Pastor who can help develop pathways for Christian Faith Formation. As a congregation, we are eager learners of the Word. Our community is comprised of a wide spectrum of learners-- from young children who are barely able to walk towards the chancel for our special Children s sermon to seniors who bring wisdom and maturity to our wonderfully inclusive community by faithfully attending more than one education opportunity per week. We are a community yearning to learn. We seek an Associate Pastor of Faith Formation who will help us fulfill the following vision and mission goals: A leader who inspires the congregation to want to learn--despite the pressures of daily calendars and other obligations. A leader who can find new ways to help the congregation study the Word and enrich our everyday lives with the teachings of our Lord and Savior, while sustaining our successful traditional adult programs. A leader who helps equip us for living in community, seeking to realize God's vision for the world. This position is pivotal for our church. The Associate Pastor who serves in this role will lead a team of staff and lay leaders by identifying, supporting, coordinating, implementing and nurturing the Christian formation for all God's children at DCPC.
QUESTION 4: Provide a description of the characteristics needed by the person who is open to being called to this congregation and/or organization. Our congregation values spiritual formation as a top priority, and as such we seek a candidate who embodies the following: A love for Jesus Christ, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and all those whom God brings to our fellowship or permits us to serve. Mature spirituality, intellectual and theological curiosity, and the ability to work with others of diverse viewpoints and differing levels of spiritual development. A love for teaching and a passion for helping others to teach. Empowering and supportive of other church staff, lay leaders and volunteers. Able to minister to persons of all ages, to support individuals and families in their spiritual journeys, and to incorporate them into the life and work of the church. Gifts for organizational leadership and experience in program building, coordination and implementation. Organized and able to follow through with tasks. Accountable for self, volunteers, and programs. Skillful at communicating through public speaking and written texts. Personal warmth, creativity, and enthusiasm. An ability to embrace our traditions while enabling us to improve as a congregation.
QUESTION 5: What specific tasks, assignments, and program areas will this person have responsibility? Much of the vision for the role of AP of Faith Formation is described in previous questions. To summarize, we seek an AP who serves two primary roles: A Managing Director for all Christian education programs in our church who: coordinates educational curriculum in collaboration with youth director and staff director for children s ministry. oversees the important work done by the youth director and staff director for children s ministry (job descriptions posted on our website) works with current (and future) staff and volunteer leaders to establish a faith formation vision that is carried across all age groups and classes. ensures that all programs have support and representation in staff meetings, with special attention to adult programs. provides leadership for staff and volunteer leaders, particularly for adult programs. enacts quality control for all programs by setting, monitoring, and assessing goals and accomplishments of the programs. A Teacher within the church who: provides inspiration and vision for staff and volunteers involved in faith formation. serves as a visible and approachable leader during faith formation programming leads Sunday School classes when needed. offers educational enrichment for existing programs.