Assistant Pastor

Job Description

Role Purpose: To be the lead visionary, spiritual guide, and catalyst-coach for the Adult Ministries of Hunt Valley Church. To be the warm connection that makes a large church feel small through one-on-one and group interactions with attendees. As an extension of the Senior Pastor’s reach in a large church, this is a highly relational position where most time will be spent outside the walls of the office. Must be capable of ordination in the Presbyterian Church in America (see PCANET.org/beliefs).

Role Goals

• STRATEGIC LAUNCHER – Create an environment where both new ministries and leaders are resourced, developed, and nurtured to reach their fullest impact by creating a combination of organizational structure and a safe space for experimentation.
• AVID LEARNER – Constantly look for ways to challenge and grow in your understanding in areas such as leadership, spiritual formation, ministry practices, social trends, and more, with the end goal of helping HVC better reach the lost and build up our faith community.
• COLLABORATIVE LEADER – Develop a community of leaders who are highly invested in the adult ministries of HVC, in each other, and the next generation of leaders, and give them a voice and influence in all aspects of your ministries.
• PERSUASIVE LECTURER – Be a passionate, informed, engaging, and articulate sharer of truth in all venues, both big and small, with the end goal of drawing our faith community closer to Christ.

Working Relationships

RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Pastor, Executive Director

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Adult Ministry staff

WORKS CLOSELY WITH: Session, Executive Director, ministry leaders, and volunteers

Role Duties

• Maintain personal growth through regular spiritual disciplines, personal care, and prayer
• Be informed and supportive of the philosophy and direction of HVC ministry, learning the “DNA” of HVC and its leadership
• Maintain a servant heart and function with a whatever-it-takes attitude
• Be faithful in fulfilling ministry; work hard to achieve excellence (2 Tim.2:15)
• Gifted Communicator and Teacher

1. Works as part of the teaching team to develop topics, methods, and techniques to effectively reach and disciple our congregation
2. Participate in the preaching rotation
3. Preach scripturally based sermons which apply the Word of God to people’s hearts and lives, whether in large groups, small groups, or one-on-one relationships (e.g., leadership development)

• Provide spiritual leadership, outreach leadership, and inspiration for the adults of HVC
• Extend the HVC evangelistic reach to adults within our community who may not be believers
• Supervise programs and staff over HVC:Men, HVC: Women, HVC:Young Adults, Core Groups (small groups), and other adult programs
• Maintain confidentiality (and have a spouse, if applicable, who does the same)
• Regular participation in the ministry events of the church
• Be faithful in recognizing, affirming, and encouraging others
• As appropriate, represent the church in the religious and civic life within the community
• Member of the Senior Staff Leadership Team
• Moderate the Session if the Senior Pastor is unable and requested by the elders

REQUIREMENTS

Education

A seminary degree, an M. Div. or equivalent, is required. The ideal candidate will also be willing to pursue further theological training through a Ph.D. or D. Min program in future years.

Experience

Three to five years of experience in a leadership role as a non-profit ministry leader, teaching pastor, or assistant pastor is expected. Ordination in the PCA is required within the first 2 years of employment.

Personal Characteristics

• Meets biblical requirements of an elder (1Tim 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, PCA BCO Ch. 8)
• (If married) spouse is supportive of his ministry, HVC philosophy & direction (1 Tim.3:11)
• Capable of being ordained as a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America
• Gifted teacher and leader
• Someone who is people-smart and relationally intelligent. Developer of relationships inside and outside HVC. Builder of networks. Multiplier of disciples
• Transparent and authentic
• A lifelong learner with a heart for growth and depth, not just leadership skills
• Someone thirsty for God who wants to grow deeper in his faith
• Has a generous appreciation of other theological traditions
• Exhibits spiritual and theological depth and has wrestled deeply with ideas as well as his own heart
• An excellent communicator with the ability to speak effectively to those outside the faith as well as established believers
• Strategic developer of leaders with proven success in discipleship - a leader of leaders
• Evangelistically gifted with a passion to share the gospel
• Willing to spend much of his time “in the field” (outside of the office), meeting with others

TIME REQUIRED

This is a full-time, paid position.