Job oppertunities

Job Title: Bi-vocational Pastor

Location: Junction Covenant Church

Job Type: Part-Time Pastoral Position

You will perhaps find this job description quite different from regular templates because we as a church have used the time without a pastor to vision cast. From congregation meetings, a living document “The Vision of the Junction Church” was drawn up and overwhelmingly affirmed in a congregational meeting. This vision portrays the congregation and pastor in a different dynamic than many churches. From this vision we have been experiencing our own culture shift and we are currently being challenged to change. For this reason we built the vision expression into a job description, accompanied by focus and skills to help meet and develop this vision.

Acronyms used:

PLT - Pastoral Leadership Team - A team established by the SLT to provide pastoral care to the community. Including organizing Sunday speaking, praying for the church, and addressing issues like counselling, mentoring, etc.

SLT - Site Leadership Team - Conducts business around the operations of the church, the membership, and spiritual leadership of the church.

Overview: The part-time pastor will provide a constant connection between the different aspects of church structure and life.

Since the absence of a pastor, the church members have filled many positions voluntarily and have taken a healthy approach to co-ownership and congregational involvement. We are referring to this body involvement as “a congregational-led church”. We are looking for a leader who can support and enhance this model; to use tools such as creative facilitating, delegating, activating, etc.

Visual Leadership structure

Rather than a pyramid governance of hierarchy, we see the visual like a wheel with a hub and spokes. The pastor would work together with the SLT to form a core leadership hub; the pastor would be accountable to the SLT. Each function and ministry of the church, like spokes, connects to the hub; all seeking a vibrant relationship with the Lord, thus together looking to the Holy Spirit in shaping their lives, church and ministry. The pastor will act as a point person who will provide a constant connection between different aspects of church structure and life.

Key Responsibilities

1. Vision and Leadership

We desire foremost to be a body of believers where each person pursues intimacy with Father/Son/Holy Spirit. All aspects of life and service rest in the power of that living relationship. Out of intimacy comes identity, giftings, power, life, love and from those come character, ministry and impact.

We desire a pastor also on that same passionate journey; a person who challenges themself continually to make that relationship paramount for his/her own life and before their ministry; ability to challenge us to focus and refocus this relationship development with God.

2. Teaching

We desire a pastor with a strong gift of solid Biblical teaching and who can deliver the Word with the Life of the Spirit (both Spirit and Truth).

This person will act both as a speaker and mentor others to speak as well; working alongside the PLT to provide oversight to the weekly worship service.

We desire teaching that:

Models intimacy where each person can hear the voice of Father/Son/Holy Spirit for themselves.

Disciples - who we are in Christ, knowing our identity, where we know how to be Sons of God, who like Jesus, hear and speak what the Father is saying and do what the Father is doing.

Challenges us to mature in faith and character.

Leads us to service and mentorship as we model His love to each person in our sphere of influence.Through teaching and modelling, inspire, teach and challenge the church to continually invite new people into the story of Christ.

Honours a high view of God’s Word.

3. Equipping Through a Congregational Led Dynamic

Many members in the absence of a pastor have volunteered for various governing committees to help pick up the slack. This is a healthy sign of co-ownership and congregational involvement. We are referring to this body involvement as a congregational-led church. (For clarification, congregational led does not refer to any model suggesting the congregation wields power and dictates over a pastor.)

We would like a pastor that can support and enhance this model with an eye to raising up people to do a lot of church pastoral responsibility. We desire a pastor that creatively facilitates this volunteer involvement.

Some tools in the toolbox would be:

With the help of others in the body, identify giftings, provide teaching, cultivate practice and mentoring. Honour, empower and release.

Teach and model the value of character to carry giftings.

This will require a teacher who is self aware of his own need for power/control and ego support; that he can see the value in co-governing and that replicating strengthens the body.

4. General Qualities

Qualities useful in this pastoral role

1. Strongly self directed and motivated. Organized; efficient use of time.

2. Team player. Values collaboration in vision dreaming.

3. Excellent listening and communication skills. Skilled in mediation/peacemaking.

4. Have a commitment to confidentiality both when working with different committees as well with individuals over personal matters.

5. Use wise safeguards for counselling women/men and involve parents when dealing with a minor. Complete the church Safe Place Training and Criminal Record Check requirements.

6. Possess a high level of respect and safety and helps develop a culture of safety within the congregation and avenues of ministry.

7. Working with the SLT, always discerning that the leaders of the Junction (the hub) are operating in the vision model of governance; keeping their own desire for control and religion in check.

8. Work with church ministries and staff to ensure all efforts are in harmony with the Church vision model.

9. Know your limits and refer as necessary to ministry teams or professional counselors.

5. Church and Community Ministry

The desire for community comes up in many ways as an essential area to develop. We believe people need to be seen, heard and loved to feel that they belong. Homegroups, monthly potlucks, etc.

A pastor who can collaborate with the hub to fulfill general expressions of Pastoral care including short term counseling, weddings and funerals.

A pastor who can collaborate with members to explore and develop church community opportunities. Someone who can also assist in finding avenues into the community at large and measure ministry programming for effectiveness. Christmas food hampers, fundraising with local businesses to raise money or buy gifts for families in need at Christmas, etc.

The Successful Candidate will:

Willingly participate in a regular review process determined by the SLT.

Participate in goal setting and reflection in light of the church vision.

Qualifications

Expectation to enroll in and complete Covenant Orientation.

Starting with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or 2 - 4 years of biblical studies. We would encourage the candidate to continue learning and obtain a Masters in Biblical and Theological Studies if they desire.

Is an ordained pastor or qualified to receive a Ministry License from the ECC and in good standing with the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada, or will agree to work towards ordination or a ministry license with the ECC. The candidate should adhere to the ECC statement of faith, please see the following link: https://www.covchurch.ca/who-are-we

Work experience in roles outside of the church is beneficial but no specific requirements are set.

Work Hours:

Half time salary position. A suggested work week example would be five sessions per week in five hour blocks with a minimum of one day per week off. Working at the church or remotely from home or elsewhere as required.

Compensation:

The Junction Church bases the pastoral fee schedule off of a Mennonite salary guideline. There is a base salary plus additional calculated cost of living, experience increments, educational increments, and responsibility increments. The salary is then prorated based on a percentage of full time.

Vacation starts at 3 weeks per year and increases based on years of experience.

Benefits plans are provided by the ECCC. Employees must work a minimum of 25 hours per week to be eligible for the plans. The plans include Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Dependent Life, Long Term Disability, Extended Health Care, Vision Care, and Dental Care.

The Junction Church will also pay the full premiums for the ECCC Pension based on salary and a housing allowance based on CRA guidelines.

Candidating and Moving Costs will be covered for a candidate that needs to move from outside the local area.

Additional Salary and ECCC Benefits and Pension documentation with more specific information are available for reference by request.

If you would like to apply for the position or have any further questions please email: psc@junctioncovenant.com