Bella Vista Church (Rockford, MI) – Lead Pastor - LancasterSearch

Bella Vista Church (Rockford, MI) – Lead Pastor

 

The Big Picture 

Bella Vista Church () is seeking a full-time Lead Pastor.    

Requirements

Overview

Bella Vista Church is an established, non-denominational church which has been in the community for 50 years.  To usher in the next 50 years, we are seeking a visionary leader to help revitalize the church.  BVC has a dedicated staff who are united with the church leadership to lead the church family in reaching into our community.  We have a strong focus and involvement in local, national, and international missions.  We have a commitment to the Authority of Scripture and expect strong Biblical preaching.  We are looking for a Lead Pastor who has experience and passion for church revitalization and growth.  Who is able to mobilize and equip people through God's Word while helping to establishing new opportunities for the church to change and grow.  Currently, 70% of the congregation is over the age of 55 years old, but church members are resilient and persevering and desire to reach into the Rockford community.  The church leadership and congregation is currently going through a revitalization process with a consulting group.  The church has a large and well maintained facility (with gym) on over 25 acres in a prime Rockford location (Northeast side of Grand Rapids, MI). 

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Meets the Biblical qualifications of a pastor (1 Tim. 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5) 
  
• Formal Education in ministry, theology, or related field 
  
• Experience with Church Planting, Church Revitalization or Church Growth 
  
• Demonstrated ability to provide Biblical and relevant preaching 
  
• Leadership skills and leadership gifting will be needed 
  
• Ability to develop and provide spiritual formation processes to help people grow in faith and spiritual maturity
  
• In agreement with the doctrinal statement of Bella Vista Church: 
  
• Willing to locate in the Rockford, MI area and engage with the community 
  
• If just looking for a job in ministry, this will not be it - this will be a calling and a challenge
  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide Biblical and relevant preaching and teaching at Sunday services 
  
• Plan the pulpit calendar and schedule speakers for all corporate worship gatherings
  
• Provide vision and leadership for the ministries of the church 
  
• General oversite and support for the BVC staff 
  
• Oversee the implementation and execution of church events, programs, and activities that engage the community and create opportunities for serving and ministering to others
  
• Serve as an Elder and attend Elder meetings 
  
• Assist the Staff, Elders, and Deacons in providing Pastoral Care 
  
• Demonstrate hospitality, generosity, and approachability to those in the BVC family and the community
  
• Oversee the annual strategic planning processes and involve Staff, Elders, and the Administrative Council
  

Benefits

Compensation

Salary: $80,000

Medical & Dental

Retirement 403B - 3% matching

Life & Disability Insurance

Business or Education Expense Acct.

 

The Process 

Please look over this job description and the church website. Along with your resume please answer these three questions:

 

Why do you believe that you might be a good fit as the Lead Pastor at Bella Vista Church?

 

Describe your experiences in ministry and how you may be qualified to serve as the Lead Pastor at Bella Vista Church? 

 

In just a few sentences please give a summary of your theology and how that is in line with the doctrine of Bella Vista Church?

 

Please send your resume and the answers to these questions to 

The expectation of this minister is to nurture the middle school and high school teenagers in the areas of worship, fellowship, outreach and discipleship. The minister is required to assess the needs of the youth, set the vision, plan and execute curriculum and events, preach and teach the word of God, and review the ministry progress with the board, the youth ministry team, and the parents. It is expected that the minister will be a team player and a communicator; it is not expected that the youth minister will do everything him/herself, but he/she must be able to work with the youth ministry deacon, the adult and youth volunteers and delegate responsibilities. It is expected that the youth minister may spend time with the youth outside the church in more casual or fun settings. Outside of the heart of a shepherd, organizational skills are very important for the position. It is expected that in the interview process, the prospective youth minister provides a self-evaluation on his/her strengths and weaknesses as a youth minister and team player. There is a part-time pastor’s assistant who supports the Mandarin ministry pastor, the English ministry pastor (open position), the children minister, and the youth minister. Founded in 1981, Wilmington Community Evangelical Church (WCEC) is a bi-cultural and bilingual (Mandarin Chinese and English) church committed to building up the kingdom of God in Northern Delaware and the surrounding Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Average Sunday attendance is around 250 of which ~40-60 people attend the English Sunday service, with the remainder attending the Mandarin Sunday service. A typical English Sunday service includes youth, parents of the youth, college students, young professionals, and adults. The church currently has a Mandarin ministry pastor and a full time children’s minister. The average attendance of the weekly youth ministry Friday night activity is between 40 and 60. The church is currently in the process of searching for an English ministry pastor who is expected to be a close coworker with the youth minister. Knowledge of Chinese Culture and Mandarin Chinese is an advantage but not a qualification for the candidate. The vision of the church is “Mission and Planting 宣教與拓植”. Two churches have been planted: One in West Chester, PA [West Chester Chinese Evangelical Church 威徹斯特主恩堂] and another in Bear, DE [New Castle Chinese Evangelical Church 新城主恩堂/Gospel Christ for All Nations] in 2000 and 2007, respectively, with steady growth witnessed in both. The mission of the English Ministry is “Empowering people to serve God in a cross-cultural community through transformed living”. General Qualifications Evangelical faith Education: Bible college graduate or Master’s of Divinity Shepherding experience preferred Spiritual Qualifications Living a life of faith in Jesus Christ Demonstrating a passion for shepherding students Ministry Qualifications A vision for youth ministry Able to recruit and if needed train adult volunteers in youth ministry Able to communicate with youth and parents General Responsibilities Preach and teach Conduct ordinances, e.g., baptism, Holy Communion, etc. Conduct visitation and counseling Collaborate with youth ministry leaders of nearby churches for joint youth ministries Specific Responsibilities -Plan and lead the development of a comprehensive youth ministry in accordance with the long range ministry vision. -Set annual ministry goals and develop plans to achieve such goals -Organize and/or lead weekly Sunday School classes for youths -Recruit and train a ministry team of youth leaders (Student Ministry Team) -Organize an adult youth ministry leadership team (and train if needed) -Organize and/or lead weekly youth ministry events on Friday nights, or additional days as required -Organize special Youth Ministry events, e.g., youth-parent seminars, youth retreat, 30-hrs Famine, Gospel Jam, etc. -Involvement with in-campus ministries in local high schools -Develop and oversee the annual budget for youth ministries Participate in ministry meetings, such as monthly meetings of the church Elder and Deacon Board, and the English Ministry Team -Share responsibility preaching in the Sunday Morning Worship Service