POSITION DESCRIPTION
St. John's Lutheran Church
Salisbury, NC
Associate
Pastor
MINISTERIAL FOCUS: Adult Education and Small
Groups
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
Equip the people of God for the work of ministry
through programs of adult education and the development
of small groups.
REGULAR ASSOCIATIONS AND COLLABORATIONS:
Congregation Council, Education Board, Service and
Fellowship Board, Worship Board, various committees of
these Boards, and pastoral and office staffs.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide the public ministry of Word and Sacraments
with a regular rotation of preaching and Eucharistic
leadership, including worship planning. Conduct weddings
and funerals as requested.
Visit in hospitals, nursing homes and homes of members
and prospective members.
Guide the congregational leadership in the development
of rich and varied adult Christian education programs
for members of St. John's and for the Church and
community.
- Provide pastoral support to the Education Board
and help the Board develop a comprehensive educational
plan in accordance with congregational goals.
- Recruit and develop lay teachers for the church by
providing professional support, encouragement and
educational resources.
- Develop lay leaders for worship and educate the
congregation in the theology and practice of worship.
Assist in the planning and introduction of new worship
forms.
- Help the members of the congregation in their
understanding and exercise of "ministry of daily life"
so that the witness of the Gospel will be shared in
the community.
- Organize and offer Bible studies and encourage the
daily reading of Scripture.
Guide the congregational leadership in the development
of small group ministries designed to create a more
intimate Christian community, deepen the spiritual life
of St. John's members and respond to human need.
- Develop a small group ministry to identify the
interests, relationships and specific ministry needs
of our members.
- Form small groups designed for fellowship,
spiritual renewal, training in caring and outreach
ministries that will challenge and support our members
in their Christian faith and ministry to others.
RECENTLY FORMED PROGRAMS IN THIS AREA OF
MINISTRY:
Men's group, Marriage Enhancement seminars, Ventures
in Christian Education, Via de Cristo weekends, Eagle's
Nest &endash; St. John's outreach ministry to renovate
apartments for families.
ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES FROM THE WORK OF THE
ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR ADULT EDUCATION AND SMALL GROUP
MINISTRIES
Adults in the congregation will grow in their
knowledge of the faith through a variety of educational
opportunities:
- Sunday School sessions led by a cadre of trained
teachers
- Ventures in Christian Education sessions
- Bible study groups of varying length and
intensity
- Trips to religiously significant places (e.g.,
Greece, Israel, Rome, Germany)
- Retreats and/or Seminars
- Lay Academy of Theology conferences and
seminars
- NC site for Southern Seminary courses
Adults in the congregation will grow in their sense of
spiritual connection to Christ and a connection to this
community of faith through:
- Small groups organized around interests, needs or
relationships
- Extensive and organized caring ministry which
supports those in physical or emotional need
- Seminars for marriage enrichment, parenting,
divorce, grief, etc.
- Via de Cristo retreats for spiritual renewal
- Prayer chain, prayer groups
- Mid-week service of Holy Communion
- Interaction within a specific geographic area
("block party")
Adults in the congregation will express their faith by
ministering to the community and the world through:
- Training of persons to invite and welcome
visitors
- Volunteer support for Rowan Helping
Ministries
- Servant Events for the whole congregations
- Mission trips
- "Adoption" of missionaries or mission
congregations
- Seminary intern program
- Supporting one major new ministry every three
years, for example: building a Habitat for Humanity
house, providing a hospice home for persons with AIDS,
providing a group home for the developmentally
disabled, etc.
Adults who are initially drawn to the congregation by
the programs for children and youth will find a full
spectrum of programs to meet their own needs for
community, spirituality and service. They will encourage
others to participate based on their own positive
experiences.
Adults who have a solid grounding in theology will be
able to mentor young people in our Confirmation program
and new members who enter the Church with limited
religious backgrounds.