Arnold Community Church Knowing Jesus and making Him known Pastor of Discipleship Ministries Ministry Profile
Preamble: With the implementation of our new vision knowing Jesus and making Him known combined with our ministry values, our Elder Team has prayerfully worked at aligning other aspects of our ministry to our vision. This includes our pastoral staffing. Following our extensive refocusing process, and significant leadership discussions involving our Elder Team, Children s Ministry, and Youth Ministry, our Elder Team identified four ministry areas that needed focused oversight as we implemented our vision. They included Children s, Youth, and Family Ministry components and Discipleship. Specifically, our Elder Team identified Discipleship as the key overarching ministry area that we will need to address to ensure that we are actually on mission as our vision demands. On May 11, 2015, at a congregational meeting discussing our pastoral staffing requirements to pursue our vision, two recommendations were put forward. 1. Recommendation #1: To immediately begin a search for a full time Youth Pastor who would begin to lead our youth ministry in alignment with Vision 20/20. This gained 100% affirmation and the decision culminated in the hiring of Ernest Romanchik. 2. Recommendation #2: Within one year, to begin the search for a full time Pastor of Discipleship/Family Ministries to address the overarching need identified as discipleship oversight. This gained an 87% affirmation. What has transpired since these decisions? The Lord blessed us with a relatively quick yet thorough search process for a Youth Pastor. Our Youth Ministry has been reinvigorated, infused with both spiritual challenge and high investment in relationships. It is very encouraging to see a growing community of youth comprised of churched, non-churched, marginalized, and seekers form. We currently serve approximately 115 teenagers grades 7-12 through our Youth Ministry. We have seen about six families connect and begin to root at ACC. Again, the key theme is families who mostly, though not entirely, come with younger children. A growing recognition among our Elder Team that without a champion who will guide our discipleship pathway, we will meander with no clear intentionality as to how to guide individuals along their spiritual journey. In other words, we know that people engage with our ministry at some entry point but there is no clear pathway or coach to help them navigate the pathway. The Elder Team has taken the past four months and focused significant time beyond their regularly scheduled gatherings to address not only a potential ministry staff role but our understanding of discipleship and how that might be applied to any staff role.
Following is a summary of our findings 1. What do we mean by discipleship? The following brief phrases capture the essence of what we understand to be at the heart of a biblical understanding of discipleship. These phrases include inner attitudes/actions along with outer actions that result in reproduction of more of the same in another person. Motivated by God s love (John 3:16) Formed by God s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Transformed by God s Spirit (2 Thess. 2:13) Developed in community (Acts 2:42-47) Reproduced in more disciples (Matt. 28:19-20) 2. How might we apply this understanding in our ministry context? While we see aspects of the above attitudes/actions within our church family, we believe we can grow. For example, does our church family fully understand God s love for each one of us as His children? Further, do we understand that it is that love that has so captured our heart that we are motivated to love others? We are not convinced this is embedded in our culture. Another example might be how our church family understands the significance of community in our spiritual formation. In a culture of individualism and isolationism, of what importance is it for each disciple to be formed and developed in the community of faith as opposed to doing faith/life on their own? This is a reality of our culture which the local church must work at diligently. We also understand these different characteristics to eventually become a cultural mindset embedded within our church family. Thus, we seek to trust God in developing within us a mind-set first which leads to a changed culture. Undoubtedly there will be some aspects of ministry program integrated within our formal ministry to help cultivate a mindset but the cultural mindset must become rooted. We believe God is affirming a growing reality/need we see in our ministry related to intentional oversight of a discipleship pathway. We know people find entry points into our ministry but we have no cohesive understanding or plan as to how they might develop along their spiritual journey. It is not that spiritual development is absent but there is no champion to come alongside our Ministry Leaders and/or Ministry endeavours ensuring that our vision and accompanying values guide the discipleship pathway. We believe God is leading us to seek an individual who currently embodies a fruitful discipleship mindset, while able to equip others in developing a discipleship culture.
Vision Vision 20/20 Knowing Jesus and making Him known Values God s Word Intimacy with God Evangelism People Compassionate Service Discipleship Risk Taking Obedience Ministry Model (Gather, Grow, Give, and Go)
What will be our discipleship culture? What kind of discipleship culture must we cultivate if we are going to pursue our full potential and accomplish our vision? A discipleship culture is one in which pursuing intimacy with God in prayer is normal. We must live in dependence upon God. A discipleship culture is one in which the Word is central. A discipleship culture is one in which the pursuit of worship in spirit and truth is normal A discipleship culture is one in which the pursuit of investing in relationships is important. A discipleship culture is one in which pursuing mission with others in the power of the Holy Spirit is normal. A discipleship culture is one in which pursuing a life of generosity and simplicity is normal. Do we want to leave a crowd or an army of disciple makers? (Henry Schorr, Senior Pastor Centre Street Church) How are my spiritual vital signs? (Metrics of a growing disciple) I follow Jesus as my Lord - how have you followed or not followed Jesus this week? I am growing in my relationship with Jesus - how are you growing in prayer, worship, listening, confession, trust, baptism, giving, generosity, etc? I am being transformed by God s Word and God s Spirit - where are you seeing evidence of this transformation?
I invest in relationships both within and beyond the Christian community - who is investing in your life and in whom are you investing? I am an active witness of the good news of Jesus with others - with whom have I shared or am sharing the good news? I actively serve other people with the compassionate love of Jesus - how is this evidenced?
Pastor of Discipleship Ministry Description Ministry Position: Pastor of Discipleship Ministries Full-time Equivalent: 0.75 (three quarter time with an intent to move toward full time in the future) Ministry Focus After a season of ministry refocusing, Arnold Community Church is trusting the Lord for a Pastor of Discipleship Ministries. This person will be a spiritually mature disciple of Jesus called to serve Arnold Community Church and her vision of knowing Jesus and making Him known. Specifically, this individual will provide oversight to our desire to grow disciples in our discipleship pathway. We understand this pathway to include essential components in the life of a disciple, yet not necessarily in a prescribed order. Together with a broad team of engaged volunteers, this individual will embody a discipleship mindset while having the ability to equip others to reproduce themselves throughout our community. The following brief phrases capture the essence of what we understand to be at the heart of a biblical understanding of discipleship. These phrases include inner attitudes/actions along with outer actions that result in reproduction of more of the same in another person. Motivated by God s love (John 3:16) Formed by God s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Transformed by God s Spirit (2 Thess. 2:13) Developed in community (Acts 2:42-47) Reproduced in more disciples (Matt. 28:19-20) Ministry Context Arnold Community Church is an established church affiliated with the British Columbia Mennonite Brethren located in rural Abbotsford. Ministry to children, youth, and the families from which they come has been the most significant aspect of our ministry over the past twenty years. Currently, our congregation comprises approximately 350 people with about half of that number grade 12 and under. Another 40% include young adults, younger parents, and adults age 55 and under with a smaller cluster in the seniors category. Our average Sunday morning attendance is 240 over two worship services at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Following a season of congregational refocusing, our desire is to place our focus on making disciples. The Pastor of Discipleship Ministries will play a key role in this regard by cultivating a discipleship mindset and equipping a broad group of volunteer Ministry Leaders collaboratively pursuing our vision with other pastoral staff and our Elder Team.
Qualifications 1. Education Bachelor s Degree in Biblical Studies, Theology or similar degree is required although a Masters Degree in one of (Biblical Studies, Theology, Christian Ministries, or Leadership) is preferred. 2. Experience Required At least several years serving as an Associate Pastor in a local church. 3. Skills and Abilities Experience in pastoral ministry and areas of discipleship development. A life marked by a love for people and their spiritual growth. Skills in equipping/coaching volunteer Ministry Leaders and team development flowing from a pastoral heart. Demonstrated preaching and teaching abilities in both large and small groups and with a variety of age group levels. Must be in agreement with Arnold Community Church s Ministry Vision and Values, Ministry Code of Conduct, the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith, and be willing to be credentialed within the BC Mennonite Brethren within the first year of employment. Has a reputation of living a lifestyle that honours and elevates the name of Jesus. Spiritual gifts Shepherding, Leadership, Teaching Church attendance Faithfully attends Arnold Community Church
Ministry Responsibilities The ministry responsibilities of the Pastor of Discipleship Ministries will include but not be limited to Personal Demonstrate a mature relationship with Jesus Christ. Personal spiritual growth is evidenced through Bible study, prayer, service, compassion, mission, and evangelism. Enjoys friendships, has interests and hobbies outside of ministry (a balanced person). Knowledgeable and comfortable with who he is as a result they know their limitations, are able to set personal boundaries and resolve conflict directly. If married, enjoys their spouse s full support (i.e. they share a love for the church and a ministry vision and have clear agreement on respective roles and involvement in ministry.) They model wholesome (not perfect) family life and deliberately protect their time so as to maintain healthy balance. Motivated and resilient in the face of difficulty. A self-starter who experiences set backs without defeat and in adversity acts with integrity. Contribute to the well being of and engaged with the body at Arnold Community Church. Ministry 1. Development and oversight of discipleship pathway. Based on our Vital Signs of a developing disciple, the Pastor of Discipleship will develop and provide a map for our faith community that engages, equips, and empowers people to grow in their walk with Jesus at any stage in their discipleship journey. To clearly communicate the discipleship pathway with Elder Team, fellow Staff, Ministry Volunteers, and the congregation encouraging every believer to be engaged with Jesus, each other, and their world in the process of discipleship. To put this pathway into very practical terms, one might ask, how does an individual move from the foyer to the family or from a seeker to a servant? The Pastor of Discipleship will equip our church family to address this question. 2. Pastoral mentor and coach The ability to implement and facilitate this pathway of discipleship in partnership with other leaders in the church will be critical. This will require the Pastor of Discipleship to be approachable, patient, possessing a warm, relational, and caring heart. He will come alongside both existing ministry leaders and congregants to equip, mentor, and coach leading to an authentic integration of all spheres of one s life (eg. work, family, leisure).
Specifically, the Pastor of Discipleship Ministries will be the pastoral mentor and coach of volunteer leaders at Arnold Community Church who provide oversight to our Women s and Men s Ministries, Small groups of any focus, and specialized areas of ministry (eg. Community Care, ALPHA, Growing Deeper, Leadership Development, Marriage Mentoring/Counselling, etc.). In this capacity, the Pastor of Discipleship Ministries will utilize their leadership influence to elevate vision and values, defining and refining distinctives of various groups, encourage participation that contributes to spiritual formation within community, and mentor/resource leaders for optimal discipleship effectiveness. He will assist our different ministry leaders in the preparation and monitoring of budget alignment to discipleship vision. He will evaluate existing and/or future ministries to ensure alignment with a corporate discipleship vision. 3. Integration of individuals at Arnold Community Church at three strategic points in this discipleship pathway. In partnership with the Lead Pastor, the Pastor of Discipleship Ministries will take initiative in elevating a Newcomers introduction (eg. Newcomers class, lunch, etc.), baptism, and membership from an evangelical/anabaptist (Mennonite Brethren) perspective. This will take the form of both formal (through scheduled class offerings) and informal (one on one discipleship/mentoring) approaches as we encourage spiritual growth of individuals wherever they are at in their faith journey. Newcomers Integration Together with a team of volunteers (eg. Ushers/front lines, info desk, relational folk) identifying and connecting with newcomers (who are they, what are their names, what is a bit of their story). Establishing warm, personal connections beyond Sunday morning (follow up phone calls, coffee, etc.). Hosting regularly scheduled Newcomer connection points and Newcomer Classes (eg. Welcome to ACC). Baptism To clearly communicate the meaning of Biblical baptism To promote and encourage every believer to be baptized To develop and communicate a clear, simple, process for people to be baptized To implement and help facilitate the process of baptism To follow up with baptizees connecting them in the next step of their discipleship journey Membership To clearly define the vision, values and purpose of membership for Arnold Community Church
To communicate what membership is in a clear, simple, and inviting way To promote and invite participants to become members To develop and communicate a clear, simple process for people to become members To implement and help facilitate that process To plan for new member introductions in partnership with the Lead Pastor 4. Pastoral Be able to occasionally preach/teach within the broader congregational context (worship services, etc.). Engaged as a pastoral leader on weekend worship services serving together with the Lead Pastor, Youth Pastor, Worship Leaders, Ministry Team Volunteers in a variety of roles. Engaged in the life of adults at various stages of faith, family, and life in a relational, encouraging manner available to mentor/counsel as needed. If the Pastor of Discipleship had significant life, family, and/or ministry experience, one area of opportunity currently that exists centres on our Boomers (especially those between 50-60). This crowd is asking different questions of faith, life, and family and are largely moving to the perimeter of our church family even though they have much to offer in various areas of life and ministry. Note: We expect the Pastor of Discipleship to invest 70% of their time and energy in Ministry Responsibilities 1-2 and 30% in Ministry Responsibilities 3-4. Administrative/Other Work with Lead Pastor and Administrative Assistant in coordinating schedules, holiday time, and staying accountable with ministry work time as all staff are required to do. This builds accountability and trust with co-workers and overseers. Maintain a healthy balance of relational and external ministry, together with office presence working collaboratively with fellow staff. Demonstrate a desire for and pursuit of further professional growth which may take the form of formal or informal learning. Will serve on the Elder Team as a non-voting Elder. Participate in staff/elder functions as planned.
Participate in provincial MB events/functions as able (annual convention, pastor and spouse retreat, etc.) Demonstrate a strong work ethic. Within the context of ACC, a three quarter time role expects 30 hours. However, it would also be anticipated that an employee serve several hours over and above in the same way that most volunteers serve ACC above and beyond their vocational calling. Lines of accountability While the Elder Team serves as the overall shepherd employer of all the staff, on a day to day ministry level, the Pastor of Discipleship Ministries shall be accountable to the Lead Pastor and accountable to the Elder Team through the Lead Pastor. The Lead Pastor will take initiative in mentoring/coaching/encouraging the Pastor of Discipleship. Financial compensation The Pastor of Discipleship Ministries shall be compensated according to the salary grid that Arnold Community Church utilizes with the rest of pastoral staff. This grid combines aspects of education, prior ministry experience, and role together with a base salary to set specific salaries. Arnold Community Church also participates in the benefits program of the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference and therefore pastoral staff working greater than half time receive extended health and dental benefits and contribute to a pension plan. Several ministry related allowances with this role include mileage, hospitality, books, and professional development. Holiday time The starting point at Arnold Community Church is three weeks and may be negotiable based on previous experience. Performance Reviews The Lead Pastor, in conjunction with the Elder Team, will initiate performance reviews. In the first year, there will be one verbal at the conclusion of the three month probationary period, followed by one formal written evaluation at the conclusion of the first year. Following, there will be formal performance reviews every two years.
INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS Job descriptions assist the church in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are also essential to an effective appraisal system and related promotion, transfer, layoff, or termination. This description has been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the position. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by the Lead Pastor and/or Elder Team as deemed appropriate. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts.