Grand Rapids Evangelical Free Church is currently seeking a person to fill the position of Associate Pastor. This position serves directly under the supervision and partnership of the Lead Pastor and in submission to the Board of Elders. The current areas of pastoral oversight will be over ministry leaders, including ministry staff and volunteer directors. They may serve as a temporary ministry director, until one is placed. The role may include opportunities to preach, teach, counsel, and lead as requested by the Lead Pastor.
We see this role as being a “Shepherd of Shepherds” that will be able to prayerfully guide, advise, and support existing leadership volunteers and teams. The duties and job functions of this position shall exhibit our 5 Marks of Maturity and align with GREFC’s Mission, Vision, and Values. (Operational job description is available upon request.)
● Mark #1 – Intimacy with God – practices and promotes personal bible study, prayer, worship, and spiritual disciplines. Demonstrates publicly and privately the authority of scripture over their life and models that well to others.
● Mark #2 – Jesus-like Love – conducts ministries and a lifestyle that reflects a personal understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and operates accordingly
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● Mark #3 – Disciple Making Lifestyle – seeks to be a disciple of Jesus Christ that then makes disciples that make disciples, multiplying and building themselves.
● Mark #4 – Life Altering Church Relationships – fosters and builds relationships first and then promotes those by modeling those relationships to others.
● Mark #5 – Joyful and Sacrificial Serving – Lives with an earnest commitment to serve, give, and sacrifice for Jesus, bringing His Gospel to the ends of the earth.
● GREFC’s Mission, Vision, and Values – Together, living with purpose, by:
Building a community that loves everyone deeply,
Developing personal relationships that lead others closer to Jesus,
Equipping each generation to follow Jesus and become disciple makers.
Broad Overview of Ministry Duties:
● Pastoral Responsibilities (50%) – Under the direction of the Lead Pastor, oversight will be over the GREFC ministry leaders, including supporting, assisting, and shepherding ministry staff and volunteer directors. They will lead a Ministry Team meeting at least three times a year that will focus on prayer, the vision of GREFC, and ministry needs. They will help plan and facilitate the annual Serve Sunday at which ministries are promoted and volunteers are recruited. They will help form a culture of biblical worship and service in the church, being willing to lead, disciple, support, encourage, and equip ministry leaders and volunteers to that aim.
● General Associate Responsibilities (40%) – Participate in the shared responsibility with the other pastors and the Elders in the preaching of the word, the teaching of the word, discipleship groups and classes, counseling, visitations, and personal discipleship relationships under the direction and guidance of the Lead Pastor.
● General Ministry (10%)- Assists with outreach events, new faces lunches, general communication, membership processes, and in building relationships with new members or those seeking to become more integrated into the GREFC fellowship.
Position Requirements:
● Must live a life that demonstrates the qualifications of an overseer and the heart of pastoral ministry found in 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 5.
● Must be in agreement with the GREFC and EFCA statement of faith and adhere to the GREFC constitution, bylaws, policies, resolves and handbooks.
● Minimum requirement of a Bachelor’s degree in Music, Biblical and Theological Studies, or Christian Ministry, preferably with a Youth or Worship Ministry emphasis. A Master’s of Divinity (MDiv), Masters of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS), or Master’s of Arts in Worship Studies is preferred.
● Minimum of three years of pastoral experience in a church. Preferable experience with youth, young adult and/or worship ministries.
● Must be willing to stay current in advancing their gifts, skills, and continuing ed.
● Must have a teachable attitude and be willing to work under the direction of the Lead Pastor and Elders. Must demonstrate a team attitude, both with staff and lay leadership.
About Our Church
Our church is located just outside of Grand Rapids, population 11,000, in a beautiful section of northern Minnesota and in a county of 1000 lakes. God’s hand of blessing and direction can be seen in the history of our church. What began as a small Bible Study with a handful of faith-filled believers has grown into a thriving congregation who are drawing closer to Jesus Christ. The church has committed leaders, a large volunteer base and a maturing body of believers, all with a vision to love God, love others and fulfill the command to make disciple makers.
How to Apply
Submit cover letter and resume to Ben Panchyshyn at [email protected]. All candidates will also be asked to fill out and submit an application through the EFCA Pastor Search Site.
