Senior Pastor Jobs

Present and Future
In the last few years, our church experienced dramatic changes, with the most recent at the pastoral level. Our long-time pastor retired, a beloved children’s ministry director passed on to heaven, and most recently the resignation of our pastor. As a result of these and other circumstances, the congregation experienced the loss of people over the last few years.

We believe that we are now turning the corner back toward growth. We were organized with four part-time director positions (worship, children, youth, and outreach). As we experienced the loss of people, the director positions remain empty. Thankfully, members have come forward to volunteer in the various ministry positions.

Currently, we are in the search for the man God is preparing to be our pastor. Our strong board of Elders and Interim Pastor has kept our congregation from declining further. In fact, we have seen a movement toward stability and growth. Our hope is for this trend to continue under a new shepherd.

God has blessed us with the infrastructure (building, gym, classrooms, grounds, etc.) that presents a HUGE potential for service. ELRAC is a loving body with a desire to grow personally in relationship with Christ while also making Him known. We have a desire to reach our community to share the gospel of Jesus. Growth in our body and volunteer base will provide the hands and feet for us to be ambassadors for Jesus.

Purpose and Vision
As we’ve experienced great change in the last few years, we are in the process of clarifying our specific purpose and vision. We know fully that Jesus is the One who builds His church. He places local churches in their communities to reach the lost and disciple them to walk in obedience to Jesus. During the interim period we are looking prayerfully at our mission, the church body we have at present, and how we should organize to enhance growth moving forward. While formulating a better understanding of our current situation and prayerfully seeking a clear path forward, we are purposefully seeking our new pastor to lead us in developing a God given consensus in our specific purpose and vision.

Current Ministries and Discipleship
Sunday Worship Service
Each Sunday, ELRAC comes together corporately to worship our Lord at 11 am through music, prayer, preaching, and giving.
Worship and Tech Team
We have a volunteer music ministry team and tech support that prepares and leads the congregation in traditional and contemporary worship. The tech team facilitates a live stream of the Sunday service. We also provide archived sermons online.
Sunday School
Currently, ELRAC has two adult Sunday school classes, a youth class, and we will be reinstating children’s classes this fall. Sunday school meets at 9:45 am before our worship service.
Wednesday Night Prayer Group
Adults meet on Wednesday night at 6:30 pm for a short lesson, followed by prayer.
Kids for Christ
KFC meets concurrently with the adults on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. This ministry includes Pre-K up to 6th grade students. Each week, there is a Bible lesson, worship songs and a fun craft/activity.

Missions is a very important part of our church life. The goal of the missions committee is to bring the world-wide ministry of the Christian and Missionary Alliance to the forefront of our church. We regularly invite International Workers to spend a weekend or day with the congregation to inform us of their ministries and the needs of the work they are doing. The Team also keeps prayer for missions in the life of the church by giving the names of International Workers to the Sunday school classes and other groups to pray for and assist with offerings toward their projects. In the past we have helped to buy bricks to build churches in Mexico, to purchase motorcycles for pastors in Africa, and we continually encourage generous giving to the Great Commission Fund.

Resources
Property/Facilities
As realtors point out, location is vitally important. Our current church property is located on East Lake Road, which is also State Highway 5. We have 5 acres, that are more than adequate presently, and provide room for some expansion in the future. Our current facilities are well kept, and adequate for considerable growth. The church is debt free.

Personnel/Finances
Currently, we have on staff Pastor Brad Sickler, Interim Senior Pastor and Pastor David Voelker, Assistant Pastor. We also have a part-time office secretary (20 hours), and a part-time custodian.

Our financial situation does reflect the loss of people in recent years. However, the people have always been a giving congregation. In recent years the church income was approximately $285,000 in 2015 & 2016, $235,000 in 2017 & 2018 and $220,000 in 2019 and 2020. It dropped significantly in 2021 to $164,105. In a 12-month period, our income was $164,688 and our expenses were $179,262. Thankfully, we had a large reserve to draw on. Currently we have about $64,933 cash on hand with $55,931 of that being in the general fund.
In 2021, we had 68 giving units with the average amount given of $2,610.77 per year. This year to date we have 58 giving units with the annualized average given of about $2,683 per year. Thus far in 2022 we are on track to see $155,000 or more.

Church
East Lake Road Alliance Church has passed through a period of loss. Our average attendance descended from an average attendance of 237 in 2013 through a sharp decline beginning in 2017 through 2021. Those years had average attendances of 209, 186, 157, 95, and 79 respectively. The reasons for the decline are varied; however, we believe we have begun to see the turnaround needed to bring about growth into the future. Thus far in 2022 we are holding steady, averaging 79 on Sunday mornings (Jan-Jun 2022).
Our congregation is predominantly white with a few minority members. Our largest age group is over 65, but we do have all other age groups represented. As we look to future growth, we realize that reaching young families and singles must be a priority.

Desired Pastoral Candidate’s Talents, Personality and Qualities
Personal Spirituality
A man of spiritual strength and integrity: modeling a life of prayer, time in the Word, and growing in Christlikeness.

Family
If married, one who loves and cares for his wife and children, leading them to love and live for Jesus.

Communication
One who preaches and teaches the Word of God clearly, effectively.
One who lovingly and tactfully challenges the congregation to grow in personal holiness.
One who models sharing the gospel with the lost.

Equipping the Saints
Intentionally seeks to equip individuals in the body to minister to each other and to the lost. This should be seen as an ever-widening group of trained and released Christians serving in their area of giftedness to build up the body (in maturity and number).

Vision Casting
Leads the congregation to a consensus of the direction in ministry God is calling ELRAC to do in the immediate and long-range future. Through prayer, meditation on the Word of God, discussions with Elders and other leaders in the congregation, guides them to a shared vision of what God wants to accomplish through us!

Administration
Has the ability to organize the congregation to effectively accomplish the vision God is calling us to achieve.

Manages the staff (Assistant Pastor, Secretary, Custodian, volunteers, and other staff as added).
This will require effective delegation of responsibilities to additional leaders as they are developed.

Pastoral Expectations
Maintaining personal time in prayer and Bible study.
Maintaining personal times for exercise and Sabbath rest weekly.
Giving adequate time to study for sermon preparation and other Bible studies.
Leads in planning and implementing a strategy or strategies for reaching the lost.
Ensuring that the congregation is cared for by meeting the needs of the congregation (some done personally by the pastor, some by staff, elders, deacons, and others equipped and gifted in areas of service).
Wholeheartedly supports the worldwide work of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

Please send your resume to David Nagel, District Superintendent at [email protected].

To be considered for this position, please complete the application to include your testimony, resume and other background information related to the position.

Please do not contact the church directly.