Position Summary:
The pastor of Maple Grove Church will be responsible for leading the congregation in worship, discipleship, pastoral care, and community engagement while embodying the principles of Wesleyan theology, particularly emphasizing personal and social holiness and sanctification. This role requires a servant-leader who can cast and communicate a vision, nurture spiritual growth, and guide the congregation through the evolving needs of the church and the broader community.
Ministry Context:
Maple Grove Church is located in a rural community, near Ferrum College, and is home to a congregation of approximately 75 members. It describes itself as a “Family of Families… Making Faith Real.” The church has a strong sense of community and is comprised primarily of seniors, though it is working to engage with local college students and younger generations. As a military-friendly church, Maple Grove has a history of supporting veterans and active service members and would welcome a retired military chaplain as its new pastor. The congregation values traditional worship, meaningful relationships, and compassionate outreach to the surrounding area. The pastor must be sensitive to the needs of an aging congregation while also fostering relationships with the local college and engaging with younger individuals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Preaching and Worship Leadership:
- Proclaim the Gospel and guide the congregation’s spiritual journey through regular sermons and worship services.
- Prepare and deliver sermons based on biblical teachings, with a focus on personal and social holiness in the Wesleyan tradition.
- Administer the sacraments (baptisms, communion, weddings, funerals) with theological and pastoral sensitivity.
- Collaborate with worship leaders and volunteers to design meaningful and impactful worship experiences.
- Teaching and Discipleship:
- Provide educational leadership to nurture the congregation’s spiritual maturity through Bible studies, small groups, and other discipleship initiatives.
- Equip the congregation to live out their faith in their daily lives, emphasizing personal holiness and active engagement in the process of sanctification.
- Oversee or teach Sunday school classes, midweek studies, and new member orientations, ensuring alignment with Wesleyan theology.
- Pastoral Care and Healing:
- Offer pastoral counseling, support, and guidance to individuals and families facing challenges or significant life transitions.
- Be available for visits to members who are homebound, hospitalized, or in need of emotional or spiritual support.
- Provide moral and ethical guidance based on Wesleyan principles, helping the congregation navigate contemporary issues.
- Vision and Leadership:
- Cast a vision for the future of Maple Grove Church in collaboration with church leadership, ensuring it aligns with Wesleyan theological principles and the needs of the local community.
- Lead the congregation in fulfilling its mission by inspiring, mobilizing, and equipping members to serve both within and outside the church.
- Work with church committees and teams to develop and implement plans for church growth and community impact, fostering a culture of outreach and service.
- Administration and Governance:
- Partner with church leadership to ensure the effective administration of church operations, including budget management, staff oversight (if applicable), and facility care.
- Attend and lead regular meetings of the church council and other committees, ensuring alignment with the Book of Discipline and denominational guidelines.
- Maintain records of church sacraments and membership, ensuring compliance with denominational standards.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies, a related field, or completion of a ministry preparation program in a Wesleyan denomination; Master of Divinity from a Wesleyan institution preferred.
- Ordained or eligible for ordination in the Global Methodist Church (or another Wesleyan tradition).
- Demonstrated experience in pastoral ministry, including preaching, teaching, and pastoral care.
- Strong commitment to Wesleyan theology, especially the doctrine of sanctification and personal/social holiness.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience implementing Wesleyan classes and bands.
- Ability to select and connect music with the Word, ideally with some musical background.
Compensation:
The starting salary for the full-time solo pastor position is approximately $46,000, with a parsonage provided. The church also contributes to a retirement program for the pastor. It is assumed that a retired military chaplain and their family would be covered under Tricare, though medical coverage is open for discussion depending on the candidate’s specific situation.
Other Responsibilities:
- Community Engagement: Lead initiatives to engage the community, including outreach programs and partnerships with local organizations.
- Committee Leadership and Volunteer Coordination: Work with volunteer committees to develop ministries and programs that support the church’s vision (e.g., the Pastor Parish Relations Committee and the Nominating Committee).
- Denominational and Ecumenical Relationships: Maintain strong ties with the Global Methodist Church and participate in denominational events, conferences, and ecumenical initiatives.
Reporting:
The solo pastor will report to the Church Council and will work closely with church leadership to fulfill the congregation’s vision and mission.
PLEASE CONTACT REVEREND DAVE TAYLOR, VMIDAVE81@GMAIL.COM, WITH ANY EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST. THANK YOU!