Pastor to Older Adults

From the Open Files of:

NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center, (715) 833-1153

Contributed by:

First Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, WI
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JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Pastor to Older Adults

Purpose: To provide spiritual and pastoral leadership to the older adult members of First Lutheran Church. To bring the Good News and administer the sacraments to older adults in their homes, hospitals, nursing home, and other special settings. To be a resource person with knowledge of church and community services which will aid and assist the older adults of the congregation. To support the whole ministry of the church through limited, general pastoral work in the congregation.

Supervision: The Pastor to Older Adults serves under the supervision of the Senior Pastor. The Pastor is responsible for reporting monthly to the Church Council concerning all matters of ministry to and with older adults and shall solicit support, reflections, and guidance from the elected lay leadership of the congregation. The Pastor provides updates regarding older adult ministry, either in writing or orally, to the Board of Directors of First Lutheran Church Foundation on a quarterly basis or when otherwise requested.

Responsibilities: Subject to review and adjustment in conjunction with the Senior Pastor and the Church Council, the following constitute the major responsibilities of the Pastor to Older Adults:

    1. Develop programs and/or activities which promote spiritual well-being and the care, comfort, and entertainment of the older adults of the congregation and community.
    2. Prepare and execute aggressive visitation programs or strategies for the homebound, hospitalized, and residents of nursing home or assisted living facilities, in conjunction with other pastors of the congregation, which provide fellowship, comfort and spiritual growth through Word and sacrament.
    3. Maintain regular contact with community resources and assist in referring older adults to appropriate agencies and services to meet individual needs.
    4. Assist, support and guide the congregation's older adult organization(s) through leadership and participation.
    5. Teach and provide special educational opportunities which address the needs and interests of older adults.
    6. Conduct weddings, funerals, baptisms and provide counseling as requested by the membership of the congregation.
    7. Participates in the preaching, worship, and teaching of the congregation and gives pastoral leadership in other ministries of the congregation as directed by the Senior Pastor, in a limited capacity not to exceed 25% of total work time.
    8. Attends weekly staff meetings.

Working Conditions:

Although this position will require that the Pastor spend considerable time visiting and leading programs away from the church facilities, the pastor should be present in the church office a sufficient amount of time that he or she is accessible to parishioners and so that other staff members can be in regular contact with the Pastor.

The Pastor to Older Adults will advise the Church Council and Foundation of First Lutheran Church regarding the special needs of older adults which might be addressed and met through ministries of the congregation.
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