Church Planting Position

Nyack project job description – 2012

Seeking a spiritually creative, passionate, risk-taking follower of Jesus to lead in the creation of a new Christian faith community in Nyack, New York.

Nyack is a Hudson River town, 25 miles north of NYC on the western end of the Tappan Zee Bridge.  It is rich with social diversity, abundant with artistic talent and cultural creativity, interesting in its confluence of the “spiritual-but-not-religious.”  The hamlet also knows the challenges of racial division, economic disparity, and Main Street business survival.  As members of the Hudson River Presbytery, we sense God’s Spirit at work here and envision a new spiritual community, calling forth and celebrating Nyack’s many blessings while confronting those systems that separate its people.

Job Description

The Nyack Project leader would:

Seek opportunities to “be the gospel” through:

-Creative conversations among a wide spectrum of the larger community;

-The breaking of varieties of bread – from tortillas to bagels to croissants – with community members;

-Discerning opportunities for addressing needs in the larger community;

-Dreaming of worship that grows out of the diverse cultures of Nyack;

-Celebrating the sacraments in ways that speak to God’s grace already at work in the community.

-Develop financial sources for their ministry, including but not limited to local churches and organizations, and/or part-time work in business or a non-profit;

-Work in conjunction with a council of pastors and laity, to whom the leader is accountable, and reporting to the Vision Ministry of the Hudson River Presbytery.

Desired Gifts

Deep faith and commitment to following Jesus;

Ministry centered in prayer and spiritual discipline;

Interest and experience in community organizing;

Passion for sharing the radical hospitality of God’s love with strangers;

Unflappability in the face of closed doors;

Ability to awaken the gifts, generosity, and energy of others;

Creative approach to fundraising;

Deep imagination for storytelling and listening;

Energy for creating community and fostering dialogue across societal divisions;

Spiritual resilience in the face of adversity;

Fluency in Spanish, Creole, or Russian if possible;

May bear a warning label:  “Caution – Creative, unconventional relationship with God ahead!”

Process

This position is funded by the presbytery’s Vision Fund as a two year grant for a half-time salary according to presbytery minimums.  The original grant proposal is also available upon request.  Candidates should be ordained or eligible for ordained service in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Application deadline is July 1, 2012, with a hope to fill the position by Fall 2012.  Candidates should send a resume to nyackproject@gmail.com.  For more information, contact Angela Maddalone pastorajm@gmail.com or Laura Cunningham pastorlaurac@yahoo.com.

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