WESTERN HEIGHTS CHURCH OF CHRIST Minister Prospectus We are looking forward to you!
Who We Are An energetic church that reaches out to visitors with a warm hand of hospitality. A helpful community that seeks to assimilate new members. A church that seeks to serve individuals and families with twenty-one active ministries. A church that is a blend of members representing five generations. We are committed to Jesus and advocate Christian faith that confidently affirms the Bible alone to be our creed. Our History The church of Christ began in Sherman in 1850. Early in its history it became the Houston Street church. Many years later it grew into the Walnut Street church. After another generation of growth it blossomed into the Travis Street church in 1964. The congregation became the new Western Heights church in the summer of 1993 and moved to a new location at 800 Baker Park Drive with all indebtedness paid off in three and one-half years. In 1998, the church added an education wing and expanded the auditorium to accommodate approximately 700 people. Our Worship Worship is something we can do individually, but God places special importance on believers worshiping together. To encourage unity in worship, our services are blended. This means that our services include both traditional and contemporary acappella music. Our congregation spans a range of ages, backgrounds, and musical tastes. Some are in jeans, others in suits. All are committed to joyfully worshiping Jesus together. On Sunday evenings, various life groups meet in homes for small group studies and a Sunday night service is also held at the church building. We also share our facility with the Hispanic community including a Spanish language service. The Western Heights physical facility has acted as a hosting site for coordinated Hispanic activities for a much larger geographic area. We have two full-time ministers (pulpit and youth), one part-time Spanish community minister, 7 elders, 23 deacons, 1 administrative assistant, and 1 facilities manager.
WESTERN HEIGHTS CHURCH OF CHRIST TODAY Our main group of members is adults in the mid-career ages of 31 65 (38%). Our second largest group is comprised of members aged 66+ (35%). Children s and youth membership combines for a total of 23% with college/young professionals at 4%. The Hispanic church also has a membership of approximately 40 people.
Attendance worship class 2011 2010 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 The average class attendance for 2010 was 360 and for 2011 is 325. The average worship attendance for 2010 was 531 and for 2011 is 543. Giving 2010 2011 Weekly Avg 11,683 11,300 Yearly Total 607,519 592,000 Budget 662,000 634,000 In 2010, Western Heights had special contributions totaling $41,892 to support Foster s Children s Home, Haiti relief, South Africa missions (George Funk), and medical expenses for Jenny Reyes, missionary in Bolivia. 2011 has already seen special collections of $14,921 for Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Joplin, Missouri.
MINISTRIES FAMILY STRENGTHENING - To nurture and strengthen all aspects of the family based on the principles of God s Holy Word. Ministry responsibilities include means to provide parenting classes and support, promote and identify resources for pre-marital counseling, provide mentoring for couples and families in crisis, provide marriage enrichment, coordinate with the Education Ministry on scheduling of classes involving marriage, dating, etc. Activities to support this ministry include marriage retreats, great dates, ladies events, men s rallies, Aim for Success, sister-to-sister and Wednesday night dinners. Celebrate Recovery. This biblically based 12-step recovery program reaches to our congregation and to the community and promotes a stronger personal relationship with God and others. It was started in 2007. GOOD WORKS - The Good Works Ministry assists with the physical needs of members of the congregations and organizing efforts to reach out to the community outside the church with acts of kindness and service. Areas of service include helping families move, painting/cleaning homes and yards in the community (both church and non-church community members), repair work and painting at the Grayson County Crisis Center, building projects for Habitat for Humanity, disaster relief teams to New Orleans, Louisiana, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Joplin, Missouri. MISSIONS MINISTRY This ministry provides support for and communications with international and domestic mission efforts supported by Western Heights., in order to deepen the awareness and commitment of Western Heights members to these specific mission efforts. More specifically, monetary aid was given for a new building in Ecuador, to missionary Jenny Reyes in Bolivia, and to George Funk and the Gospel Chariot in Africa. Western Heights continued their participation in an annual Ecuador medical mission trip and also was involved in disaster relief, both monetary and physical, for Tuscaloosa and Joplin. OUTREACH To encourage every member at Western Heights to honor the words of Jesus as expressed in Matthew 28:19 by sharing our faith with the residents of Grayson County, Texas. Blessings Through Birthdays Monthly birthday party for women and children at the Crisis Center. Preschool The Western Heights Preschool has 62 students, 6 teachers, 6 aides, a chapel director, and an education/business director. The Board of Directors supports the teachers and school, especially through an annual golf tournament and auction that raise approximately $10,000. Out of these funds, 2 3 scholarships are
given each year. 75-80% of the students do not attend Western Heights. Parents attend three programs each year: a fall festival, Christmas program and end of year program. Angel Food program - We provided this food program to our community for four years. YOUTH The youth program exists to help our children become faithful disciples of Jesus who have a passionate love for God that is displayed by their love for others. The youth minister partners with parents by involving them in the ministry and providing parental resources. The ministry helps develop our children spiritually through Bible classes, worship/camp experiences, devotionals, and retreats. Some activities include area-wide events, LTC, praise times, grade-level retreats, servant leaders retreat, local service, monthly Sunday night praise and prayer. In the summer, our youth attend Encounter, IMPACT, Wilderness Trek, mission trips, and Camp Ichthus, among other activities. We offer opportunities for our youth to build community with peers and family, across the generations providing a safe place to reach out to their friends. BENEVOLENCE To maintain the pantry and answer all calls and requests for assistance to pay rent and utilities from both members and non-members. To conduct a blood drive several times a year through the local blood bank. Foster s Home for Children and Arms of Hope are supported through collection of pennies, clothing and special contributions. Locally, the Rosa Hill community is supported with a school supplies drive each August. EDUCATION To develop and administer an educational program that enhances our scriptural knowledge, keeps us focused on eternity, and motivates us to make the Spirit of Christ the foundation of our personalities. SENIOR ASSISTANCE MINISTRY - To serve senior individuals within the Western Heights congregation by assisting to minimize life s burdens and to maximize Christian joy and peace. This ministry currently assists seniors in obtaining life-alert devices, provides thanksgiving meals to shut-ins, and provides communion each Sunday to those unable to attend worship. VISITATION To make in-home visits to non-members who are guests in our assemblies. To visit members who are hospitalized, shut-in, having health difficulties, or experiencing difficult burdens. To visit all members as possible to develop closer relationships. WORSHIP To have all worship services well organized and functioning smoothly to promote the centering of our minds on glorifying God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
To create an environment conducive to praise, thanksgiving, and spiritual enrichment. To build love and respect for one another while encouraging each other in our spiritual living. To convey Christ s love for lost souls and also our love for lost souls.. FACILITIES, FINANCE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, and SECURITY - To insure the physical facilities, financial matters, and means of communication support and enhance the effectiveness and productivity of all Western Heights ministries in achieving their missions and in a safe environment.
ELDERSHIP There are seven elders at Western Heights. Tenure varies from 5 to 30 years. Professions include a research engineer, a retired highway engineer, a community college administrator, a manufacturing maintenance technician, a retired semiconductor site manager, a lawyer, and a businessman. The elders believe that the Lord s hand is guiding us as they prayerfully lead this congregation. They are looking forward to the role this congregation will play in the Lord s work, and the part that the next pulpit preacher will play in these works. The eldership has been very intentional about gathering best practices information before making decisions. The eldership actively seeks the advice of Christians who have invested the time to become experts in their field of specialization. The elders do not want to re-invent the wheel, but to learn from our brothers who are already demonstrating success in God s Kingdom. Each of the elders has signed a covenant regarding how they conduct themselves while tending to the flock and working together. The goal is to biblically lead the congregation in a way that purposefully engages the members into the body of Christ. The elders state that they prayerfully intend to do this by being: 1. Relevant. We will prepare and engage our members in ministries that make a difference, and not measure success simply by attendance on Sunday morning. We will adapt to the technologies, the concerns, and the career realities of our members. 2. Holy (purposeful, bigger purpose). We will help all of our flock to be an enthusiastic part of the body of Christ. We seek a biblical commitment to Christ. 3. Evangelistic. Christ has charged each of us to spread the Good Word. Many of the traditional methods of sharing Christ are no longer effective. We desire for each member of our flock to have a very practical understanding of what they can do to be ambassadors for Christ today.
CITY OF SHERMAN AND REGION Located 60 miles north of Dallas, Sherman is a community of 38,000 residents, the county seat of Grayson County (120,000 residents), and home to several Fortune 100 industries as well as to Austin College. It is only 10 miles south of Lake Texoma, one of the largest reservoirs in the state of Texas and well-known for its champion bass fishing, sailing, camping and hiking. National and international travel is available from the DFW airport (75 miles away) and Love Field (70 miles away). There is a vibrant arts community and a variety of shopping, restaurants and hotels. The Sherman/Denison area is home to major healthcare facilities and several Fortune 100 industries, including Texas Health Presbyterian-WNJ Hospital, Texoma Medical Center, TMC Behavioral Health Center, Texoma Regional Cancer Center, Life Center Specialty Hospital, and Carrus Specialty Hospital. Also among the area s major employers are Tyson Meats, Texas Instruments, Kaiser Aluminum, MEMC and Globitech. Major retail stores include Sears, JC Penney, Dillard s, Home Depot, Lowe s, Target, Wal-Mart, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Belk, Hobby Lobby, Petco, Pet Smart, Old Navy, Kohl s and Academy. In 2010 the Sherman ISD had 5 Exemplary and 3 Recognized campuses by the Texas Education Agency. It also ranked 1,024 out of 27,000 high schools in the nation for AP performance. SHS ranked in the top 4% in Texas for ACT college readiness. The SHS band consistently receives high marks in competitions and extraordinary program awards are achieved by the drill team, cheerleading, and Special Olympics. There is something to see and do for everyone in Sherman. The year-round mild climate makes Sherman the perfect locale for all types of activities. The city has well-manicured public parks, playgrounds for baseball, tennis, soccer, and outdoor swimming pools. Historic downtown Sherman is the site for the Red River Historical Museum. Entertainment can be enjoyed at the Finley Cultural Center with the Sherman Community Players and Theatricks performances. Sherman hosts a Community Series, Sherman Symphony Orchestra, and Hot Summer Nights concert series. Other events include the Sherman Preservation League s Tour of Homes, the National Aerobatics Championship, Sherman Arts Festival, Grayson County Fair, Sherman Jaycee s Christmas parade, and the Altrusa Pilgrimage of Homes.
Western Heights Seeks a Preaching Minister Who... Is a Christ-centered, spiritual person with a deep commitment to gaining and sharing Biblical knowledge Delivers effective, Bible-based sermons that apply God s Word to the daily lives of members Inspires the church to passionate discipleship Personally exhibits spiritual growth and Christian character, including family and financial responsibilities Builds solid teamwork with the elders, deacons, staff and ministry leaders Relates to and shows empathy to all (young, old, rich, poor, educated uneducated, Christians, non-christians, all races) Builds on the solid unity of the congregation Engages with the church s ministries Mentors potential leaders
How to Apply Please forward inquiries to: Dwain Chaffin Email: ldchaffin@me.com Phone: 903-893-0391 Chair of the Preaching Minister Search Committee Website: www.westernheights.org To apply for the position, submit letters of interest and current curriculum vitae to: Western Heights Church of Christ 800 Baker Park Drive Sherman, TX 75092 903-892-9635