Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church Paterson, NJ We are a multi-racial, multi-cultural congregation which is committed to transformation of our neighborhood and the Paterson, New Jersey community. There is a place for you here to grow as a disciple of Jesus. http://www.macrc.org
CHURCH PROFILE Church Information : Name: Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church (MACRC) Location of church: 494 Madison Avenue, Paterson, NJ 07514 Classical Church Counselor: Rev. Sheila Holmes Search Committee Contact : Name: Wanda M. Tugman Address: 1011 East 25th Street, Paterson, New Jersey 07513-1645 Home: N/A Cell: (973) 800-7860 Email: tugmanaka@yahoo.com Community Setting : Location Function Growth Rural Industrial Growing Small Town College/University X Static Metropolitan Agricultural Declining Suburban X Inner City Small City Recreational Military Bedroom community Approx. population of community: Surrounding community 16,596 - City of Paterson 146,199 (Based 2015 U.S. Census projections) 2 Page
Church Profile : We are open to: Male and Female Pastors X Female pastors only Male pastors only List all staff positions: Senior Pastor, Commissioned Pastors (Spanish speaking congregation and Youth Minister), Chief Musician, Administrative Assistant and Custodian. Madison Avenue Crossroads Ministry (MACCM): MACCM Executive Director, Administrative Assistant, Food Pantry Director, Director of Discipleship House, Christian Child Care Center Director, and Director of English as a Second Language (ESL) Position Available: Senior Pastor Date of vacancy: September 1, 2018 General position description: In accordance with Articles 11 & 12 of Church Order of the Christian Reformed Church, a minister of the Word serving as pastor, is responsible for the following: The calling of a minister of the Word is to proclaim, explain, and apply Holy Scripture in order to gather in and equip the members so that the church of Jesus Christ may be built up. A minister of the Word serving as pastor of a congregation shall preach the Word, administer the sacraments, conduct public worship services, catechize the youth, and train members for Christian service. The minister, with other office bearers, shall supervise the congregation and fellow office bearers, exercise admonition and discipline, see to it that everything is done decently and in order, exercise pastoral care over the congregation, and engage in and promote the work of evangelism and diaconal outreach. The Senior Pastor at the Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church: has a sense of calling; is personally committed to the Reformed world and life view promotes the vision and mission of the Church to the congregation and community. ensures that all ministries of the church are being implemented consistent with the goals and objectives of the church. supervises all ministry leaders (Worship/Music, Pastoral Care and Membership, Outreach, Adult ministries, Youth Ministries, etc.) provides primary preaching responsibilities and coordinates preaching schedule. serves as worship leader and coordinates worship services with the Worship Team/Music coordinator. 3 Page
participates in and promotes calling on the sick and family visiting. participates in and promotes prayer ministry. promotes a vision for outreach and serves as a role model for witnessing for Jesus Christ. provides direction and support to ministry groups to model love, learn, seek, and serve. serves as resource and provides assistance to lead the church in small group ministries, spiritual gift ministry and spiritual growth ministries. promotes the spiritual development of our youth through educational and relational ministries that lead us to love, learn, seek, and serve. provides direction and support to the Youth Minister in fulfilling goals and objectives. sets the pace in developing relationships within the Madison Avenue neighborhood. connects church to the community and the community to the church. interacts effectively with community leaders (political, clergy, institutional). provides effective representation within the Classis and denomination. connects the church to it s Classis and denomination. assists in training Elders and Deacons is accountable to the Council in doctrine, life, and duties. supervision by the Council will include love, counsel, encouragement, and assistance in the work of the Lord. additional responsibilities as assigned and/or needed. Full-time or Part-time [F or P]: Full time Bi-vocational position [Y or N]: No Number of years preferred of ministry experience of potential candidate: 5 to 10 years min. Required languages : English Church Demographics : Average Sunday Attendance : 112 Active adult professing member : 96 Profile of church members: Age : 7% 0-11 7% 12-18 4% 19-24 4% 25-34 9% 35-49 44% 50-64 25% 65+ Occupation: (over age 18) 4 Page
10% Business 27.4% Professional 6.7% Trades 0% Stay-at-home parent 0% Agriculture 34.3% Retired 3.3% Student 18.3% Other Percentage of members belonging to the congregation: Less than 5 years 8.3% 5-10 years 21.7% 10 or more years 70% Racial/Ethnic composition of congregation: Black (African American/African/Caribbean) 60%, Caucasian/White 21%, Hispanic/Latino 18%, Other 1% Racial/Ethnic composition of surrounding community: The church is located New Jersey s third largest city. According to the 2015 U.S. Census the community racial/ethnic composition is as follows: Asian 0.4%, Black/African American (non-hispanic) 50.4%, White (non-hispanic) 3.5%, Hispanic or Latino 44%, Pacific Islanders/American Indian/Other (non-hispanic) 1.7%. While outside of the defined surrounding community, it is important to recognize the City s growing number of residents from South Asian, Middle Eastern and Arab nations, many who are of Muslim faith. Composition of congregation: Mono-Cultural Multi-Cultural Specific Ethnicity (specify: ) X List the last three persons in this position: 1. John Algera 1978 to present 2. Donald Sherow 1983 to 1986 3. Carl Kammeraad 1977 to 1982 4. Anthony Van Zanten 1965 to 1976 5 Page
Worship : How are members involved in planning and participation in the liturgy/worship? Worship Team members meet weekly to review song selections, discuss order of service and rehearse. Worship Team members participate by sharing musical talents both vocally and instrumentally, as well as by assisting in planning and preparing special occasions/recognition elements of the service (i.e. Mother s Day, Black History Month, etc.). Describe the worship services in your church: MACRC offers two services each Sunday - English: 10:15 am and Spanish: 2:30 pm, services typically are 1.5 hours in length. MACRC honors the traditions of the CRC church while structuring services to reflect the intentions and needs of the congregation demographic. This service is a time of celebration as we worship together and explore God s Word. The music in this service draws from a combination of familiar songs of the Church as well as new/contemporary songs of praise that focus our attention on Christ. MACRC receives two collections: The first is for tithing and the second collection supports the needs of another ministries. Outreach ministries are both local and global. After the congregational welcome children ages 3-12 are invited to participate in Children s Church. During this time member-volunteers provide a loving and fun environment for children to learn about and glorify God. A nursery is also provided. This service format offers all members of the Church Family an opportunity to connect, learn and grow in Christ. Describe the discipleship practices in your church for all ages of members and attenders: Members and attendees of MACRC are given the opportunity to grow in their faith and walk with the Lord through the following programs and gatherings: - Sunday Nursery: Ages 0 2 years - Children s Church: Ages 3-12 years - Small Group Ministries o Strengthening Your Marriage o A Deeper Journey (Men) o Bible Reading (Open to all) o Brotherhood (Men) o Women s Bible Study o Wednesday @ Noon: Prayer and Sharing o Various Small Groups 6 Page
o Men s Sheltering Program o Youth Ministries: Cadets, GEMS, Youth Groups & Truth Seekers - Crossroads Ministries o Discipleship House I & II (Men) o New City Kids (After School & Summer Camp) o Food Pantry o River of God School of Paddling o Crossroads Crusaders (Seniors Ministry) o English as a Second Language (ESL) o Child Care Center 7 Page
Building/Financial : Present annual budget: $230,299.54 Last year's annual budget: $241,757.98 Percentage of financial obligations met (last complete year reported): Budget 88.91% Denominational Ministry Shares Classical Ministry Shares 100% of pledged shares 100% of pledged shares Amount contributed above budget and ministry shares: $2,743.75 Facilities: Describe facilities: The church building is a three level facility with handicap accessible entrances and the sanctuary seats 250. The building consists of three offices, conference room, three classrooms and a kitchen. The Christian Child Care Center is housed in the church building. This ministry occupies one office, lower level common area and two classrooms. The adjacent property, the Potter s House, currently serves as a meeting space for many of the church s small group ministries. In this 2 story location there are 4 meeting spaces, Food Pantry, a kitchen, two bathrooms.. Are your buildings adequate for your ministries? Yes X If no, please explain: No Is a building program projected? Yes No X If yes, describe what and when: Does the church own a parsonage? Yes X No Location of office or study : both church and parsonage 8 Page
Compensation : The salary range we are prepared to offer our new pastor is based on the CRC Minister Compensation Survey for our area: No. If other, please specify: Salary is based on the 2017 median ranges Classic Hackensack The average annual increase for this position over the past three years is: $ or A 2% increase annually Housing: X Housing allowance Parsonage only Either of the above Benefits and expenses: X Pension X Medical insurance Life insurance (part of the medical package) X Social Security (1/2 the 1040 SE amount) X Travel/mileage Continuing Education funds Continuing Education time allotted X Sabbatical policy in place 2-4 weeks Annual vacation (# weeks) Other (please specify): Annual vacation time is based on years served. 9 Page
Church Characteristics : [Check which one(s) are closest to your church s characteristics] Presently, the FOCUS OF OUR CHURCH s MINISTRY is The community The community The community and Current members/ Current members/ exclusively primarily current members/ participants participants primarily exclusively External X Internal In our church, the WORSHIP SERVICE IS DESIGNED FOR Designed for Emphasis on Unchurched and Emphasis on Designed for unchurched unchurched believers believers believers Unchurched X X Churched In our church, the STYLE OF MUSICused in the worship service is Contemporary Mostly Blended Mostly Traditional contemporary traditional Contemporary X Traditional In our church, LEADERSHIP is generally provided by the Predominantly Frequently Lay leaders and Lay leaders function Predominantly Lay leaders lay leaders pastoral staff share under the pastoral pastoral staff leadership staff Congregational Pastoral Members X staff Our church seeks to ENCOURAGE SPIRITUAL GROWTH through No specific Ministries for a Ministries for Ministries for Ministries for all ministries few groups selected groups most groups groups Informal X Formal In our church, EVANGELISM STRATEGIES AND METHODS are Predominantly Generally Equal Generally Predominantly unplanned unplanned emphasis planned planned Unplanned X Planned 10 Page
Our church is representative of the ECONOMIC DIVERSITY of our community Strongly Mostly Moderately Mildly Weakly representative representative representative representative representative High X Low representation representation Our church is representative of the ETHNIC DIVERSITY of our community Strongly Mostly Moderately Mildly Weakly representative representative representative representative representative High X Low representation representation Our church s RESPONSE TO COMPASSION, MERCY, AND JUSTICE NEEDS is Commitment to Encouragement of Church-based and Encouragement of Commitment to church-based action church-based action personal action personal action personal action Church-based X Personal Our church s MISSIONAL FOCUS is All local Mostly local Equally local and Mostly All global global global Local X Global Narrative: Do you have a recently articulated mission/vision for ministry? [Y] Our Mission: Meeting needs, transforming lives by the Power of Jesus Our Core Values: Making Disciples: We value making more and better disciples of children, youth & adults who transform lives & communities for Christ. Cultural Diversity : We value being a church of all nations & cultures where we exist in diversity & unity. Serving Neighbors : We value serving our neighbors in word & deed as we represent Christ to them & they represent Christ to us. 11 Page
In what ways does your church participate in ecumenical activities? Madison Ave CRC celebrates with Baptist churches around our neighborhood. We have shared teen leaders and participated in youth programs with our neighbors at Canaan Baptist Church We have celebrated Jewish holidays with a Jewish congregation. Learning the history of the holiday and we participated in preparation for service. Through Crossroads Ministry a number of community programs are hosted: MACRC Day Camp and New City Kids Worship. In partnership with churches throughout the City of Paterson, we participate in a Men s Homeless Shelter. During the winter months churches rotate in providing beds, meals and fellowship. Reflect on your strengths/gifts as a church: Historically, MACRC has a powerful strength in supporting our surrounding community. With anchor resources such as Day Camp, Nursery, Food Pantry, ESL Classes, connecting with the school administration. We are a friendly and welcoming church with hospitality being one of our strong points. We are a multi-racial congregation and we celebrate and welcome diversity. Reflect on your passions as a church: The love and passion for Christ is visible in our ministries. Our commitment and passion for racial reconciliation. Spreading the Word of God and making disciples of service. Engage and support the surrounding community and the City of Paterson. Serving as a voice for those disenfranchised and underrepresented (i.e. the poor, sick, addicted, children, etc.). List specific problems with which your congregation struggles: We struggle with retaining teens, young adults and young families as members. We are an aging congregation. Volunteerism and leadership fall on the same group of people. Conflicting ideas regarding worship style (i.e. traditional vs. contemporary music, cultural influence, etc.). As a multicultural church, matters of race and racism have touched our congregation. What has been the most interesting and challenging event in the life of your church in the last three years? The retirement of our Pastor. It is interesting to go through this process because there are so many lasts and remembering of first. The need to balance the church moving forward while respecting the feelings of loss by Pastor John and the congregation. 12 Page
The decline in membership, specifically among the 40 and younger demographic. Pastoral and congregational healing from an incident centered around some members communicating their feelings of paternalistic attitudes and micromanagement. With God s grace we have experienced healing and mutual understanding. List major goals that this congregation has set for itself or opportunities the congregation anticipates: We recently hired a Minister of Music with the hopes of retaining and attracting younger members. We are working as a leadership and congregation to fulfill the command to Go and make disciples and to teacher them everything we have been told by God. We are anticipating a church of disciple makers all doing their best. We participated in a two year renewal process and continue to develop and grow disciples for Christ. Describe what being Christians of Reformed accent means to you: As stated by the Church, We believe that the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule for faith and life. We af rm three creeds the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed as ecumenical expressions of the Christian faith. We also af rm three confessions the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort as historic Reformed expressions of the Christian faith, whose doctrines fully agree with the Word of God. Describe your understanding of the relationship between the local church and the Christian Reformed denomination: Within the congregation there is a general understanding regarding the local church and the domination. The common thread of understanding is that the Christian Reformed denomination serves as a guidance and source of accountability for the local church. As we have grown in the search process there is a greater understanding for the two governance; structures Ecclesiastical matters (i.e. ethical issues, and church life and practice) and Ministry Governance is in place to govern the ministries undertaken jointly by CRC congregations. Identify some of the cultural challenges facing Christians and Christian churches today. Some of the cultural challenges facing Christians and the Christian church include: Same sex marriage. The participation of women in offices and leadership roles in the Church. Lack of respect for cultural competencies and how it influences ministry. The shift in family structure and values typically. The influence of technology has created challenges. What have been the three most important events in the history of your church? 13 Page
In the early 1950 s Madison Ave and its neighborhood experienced a significant racial and cultural shift. As people of other ethnic and racial backgrounds (non Dutch) started to move into the neighborhoods the congregation questioned if it should relocate. Many churches and other religious organizations moved out of Paterson to neighboring suburban communities. The formation of a separate 501(c)3 to form Crossroads Ministries. Financially, that decision has proven to be a huge blessing over the years and has allowed it to grow tremendously. The decline in membership, specifically young adults. It seems that this change has a ripple effect - membership, financial and engagement. Leadership : How many council members does your church have? The council consists of 11 members 4 elders and 7 deacons. Consists of: the Senior Pastor, 2 Commissioned Pastors, 4 Elders, and 7 Deacons. What is the length of term for council members? A council member term is for three years, with possibility of serving two consecutive terms. How often does the full council meet? The council meets every other month. What subgroups of council exist, how do they function and how often do they meet? The only subgroup of the council consists of Elders and Deacons. This group meets monthly and functions in accordance with the Church s established guidelines. 14 Page