Solo Pastor - Tarrytown, NY
Listed: 02-16-2022
Employer: Union Church of Pocantico Hills - 555 Bedford Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591 | (914) 631-2069 | www.ucph.org
Location: Tarrytown, NY
Type: Full-time
Download: Job Description - Solo Pastor
1. How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
The church’s recent Mission Review (available at http://ucph.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/UCPH- Mission-Report-FINAL.pdf) indicated that our congregation’s top priorities are (1) to attract families with children and youth, (2) to develop a comprehensive strategy to reach new people and (3) to provide opportunities for Christian service, education and spiritual formation at every age and stage of life. Most churches also rank these three priorities highly. Union Church differed from most other churches, however, in also prioritizing relatively highly two other objectives: (4) to expand outreach ministries that provide direct services to those living on the margins of society; and (5) to work as for social and institutional change so that society might better reflect the values of the kingdom of God. Taken together, these goals present an ambitious agenda for our relatively small and aging congregation. We will need to rally our collective energy, vision and resources and to challenge our comfort and satisfaction with familiar ways of doing things.
The committee believes that the selection of the right minister is essential for the church to achieve its goals. The pastor of this congregation is the glue that binds us together, the preacher and teacher who inspires us, the leader and entrepreneur who challenges us to step beyond our comfort zones and to develop new outlets for our Christian witness. While he or she can expect enthusiastic support from church leadership and the congregation at large, these aspirations cannot be achieved without the expertise, dedication and enthusiasm of the person essential to our future, the next pastor of Union Church.
2. Provide a description of the characteristics needed by the person who is open to being called to this congregation and/or organization.
We seek a spiritually mature, compassionate and dynamic leader with demonstrated achievement in preaching and worship leadership in a church setting. The successful candidate will be a self- motivated task manager with organizational agility and the financial expertise required to oversee the business side of the church including coordination with Historic Hudson Valley, owner of the church properties. He or she should be comfortable helping us to augment our financial stewardship in order to build the financial foundations of the church. Union Church’s pastor is an important steward of continuity, providing guidance, education, inspiration, and supervision in the daily life of the church. At the same time, we hope for a pastor who has a heart for mission, a willingness to engage with the life of our community beyond the church, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Strategy and vision are essential for the church to achieve its outreach goals as are talents needed to communicate across various platforms and social media. Our pastor will be sought as an advisor both to church leadership and to congregants needing spiritual direction and comfort. Flexibility and collaboration will be most valuable in achieving success in this position. We cannot overstate the value of interpersonal engagement in an environment increasingly marked by text messages, Zoom meetings and distractions from human interaction.
3. For what specific tasks, assignments, and programs areas will this person have responsibility?
Preaching, Teaching and Worship Leadership. Conduct Sunday Worship Service in coordination with the Organist/Choir Director. Special Services are held Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve. Weddings and Funeral/Memorial Services as required. Services are live streamed for the benefit of those unable to attend in-person. Conduct periodic Bible study or other adult Christian Education offerings.
Administration. Manage day to day church business affairs including supervision of Director of Music and part-time Business Administrator, stewardship of the sanctuary and adjoining buildings in coordination with property manager Historic Hudson Valley.
Counseling and Visitation. Reach out to congregants desiring counseling and visitations during periods of illness, hospitalization and other times of need.
Church Governance. Serve as Ex-Officio member of all boards and committees. Attend monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees and Board of Deacons.
Programs and Organizations. Lead weekly Bible study or other adult education programs. Participate in social organizations including Special Music Programs, weekly coffee hour and holiday dinners. Coordinate use of facilities by AA Chapter (Union Church leases the Parish Hall to AA at nominal cost for its weekly meetings).
Fine Arts. A separately endowed Fine Arts Program sponsors performances by organists, pianists and other musicians. Assist the Fine Arts Committee and the Organist/Choir Director with the program’s continued development.
Church Fair. For many years the previous pastor managed the semi-annual fair which was a major fund raiser. The future of the fair is undergoing evaluation by church leadership. Management of the fair is not a duty of the Pastor although it is expected that the Pastor will assist church leadership in determining the direction of these fund-raising efforts.
Outreach and Benevolences. The Benevolences Committee sponsors periodic fund drives to support organizations including Princeton Theological Seminary Scholarship Fund, Heifer International, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Church World Services, Food Bank for Westchester and My Sister’s Place. Toys are collected at Christmas time for the Grandparent’s Coalition. The John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to congregants who have demonstrated service to the church and community. The church desires leadership from the Pastor as it seeks to expand benevolent giving and community outreach.
Stewardship. Coordinate with Board of Trustees the annual campaign for pledges from the congregation for member’s individual financial support. Initiate capital and planned giving campaigns from time to time.
Maximum Effective Salary: $120,000 per annum
Housing Type: Manse
To Apply:
Submit your resume to David Bartholomew at dcbartholomew@aol.com
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