Position Description

EXCITING MINISTRY LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY: ASSOCIATE PASTOR

We are a fellowship of Christ followers in a growing southern Ontario town seeking a pastoral leader to work alongside the senior pastor with the goal of transitioning to the overall leadership of the church.

CALEDONIA CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Caledonia Congregational Church was founded in 1988 by a gathering of Christians desiring to glorify and serve God together and share the truth of God’s word in the Caledonia area.  Our history is marked by unity and evangelical ministry to the surrounding community, under the long-term leadership of Rev. Philip Noll. We believe we are called to glorify God, grow in Christ, care for one another, and share the gospel through Spirit-inspired preaching, service to others, and the witness of our daily lives.  

Currently, Caledonia Congregational Church is a small but vibrant, theologically conservative congregation with an average Sunday attendance of 35-40 people, and an average age of about 51. While we have seen limited numerical growth in recent years, we believe we are called to reach out to greater numbers in a community that is experiencing dramatic growth. To that end, we have added to our facilities and developed our ministries so that we may attract more young families in the area. Hiring an associate pastor at this time is a key aspect of this initiative.

In addition to Sunday morning services and fellowship, we offer Sunday morning and mid-week children’s programs (currently supported by a part-time staff person). As well there are regular men’s and women’s Bible studies. In addition, there are other informal ministries as members of the congregation follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

We are passionate about worshipping together, and the proclamation of God’s Word through faithful Bible preaching and teaching.  Our Sunday morning services are informal and include participation by our church family. Prayer is an essential component of our life together as a church. Our congregation expresses Christ’s love by caring for one another and our neighbouring community as the Spirit leads. We desire to be more effective in reaching out to our community with the gospel and are looking for fresh leadership in this area of ministry.

Our church is a member of the Congregational Christian Churches in Canada, which exists to proclaim Jesus Christ, make disciples, and build healthy churches.

CALEDONIA

Caledonia, Ontario is a picturesque town of about 15,000 (and counting), situated on the Grand River between Lakes Ontario and Erie, just south of Hamilton. Caledonia is conveniently located close to larger centres and urban amenities and also surrounded by the rolling farmland of Haldimand County – gateway to the Niagara Peninsula. Our town offers ready access to a full range of indoor and outdoor recreational activities as well as organized sports.  Caledonia offers various educational resources including Christian schools as well as Catholic and Public schools.  Caledonia is a friendly, welcoming place with an enduring ‘small town’ feel that belies its significant growth. It offers a safe and satisfying environment for raising a family and forging life-long relationships.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Our goals are to provide for a harmonious and productive pastoral leadership transition at the church, while growing in our outreach to young families.

 We are seeking a dedicated Christ follower with a clear sense of God’s call on their life, willing to work collaboratively with our pastor and church family to bring fresh vision and initiative.

Our preferred candidate will have positive pastoral experience with a proven record for growth. We are looking for someone with a servant leader approach to engaging others in the congregation and community. They will be gifted in preaching and teaching God’s Word and have a passion for encouraging others to follow Jesus and equipping the church to share Christ with their friends, neighbours, and co-workers. They will be well organized and detail-oriented with the ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. A commitment to hospitality and building relationships will fit well with the culture of Caledonia Congregational Church.

Qualifications also include a Bible College diploma or degree and readiness to be licensed by the Christian Congregational Churches of Canada.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Senior Pastor:

• Build a growing ministry for young families 
• Recruit, train, and support volunteers for Sunday morning and other ministries as developed
•  Assist in planning Sunday morning services
• Provide leadership for sound and tech teams
• Provide oversight and support for the worship team and other worship service participants
• Share in preaching and leadership of Sunday morning services
• Share in visitation and other pastoral care
• Attend Church Board Meetings and provide updates

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US:

• Benevolent mentoring and encouragement with Pastor Noll
• Clear expectations, resources for ministry development, and helpful feedback
• A caring and vibrant church home for you and your family
• The opportunity to launch ministry and build up the church in a rapidly growing community
• Salary and benefits that take into account your education, experience and professional development needs

APPLICATION PROCESS

Want to ask us some questions about this exciting opportunity? Call Pastor Phil at 905-765-4198 or email at Godisamazing220@gmail.com

Interested candidates are requested to submit a cover letter and resume to info@caledoniacongregationalchurch.com  Attn: Chair of the Search Committee,  by  May 1, 2024

Please include a description of your philosophy of ministry and approach to spiritual formation, and how they align with the vision and values of Caledonia Congregational Church.

Attachment: Caledonia Congregational Church STATEMENT OF FAITH and PURPOSE STATEMENT.

Caledonia Congregational Church Statement of Faith

We believe the Holy Bible to be the divinely inspired and authoritative Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.

We believe in one God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who eternally exists in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who being fully God became fully man, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross, was raised bodily, is exalted to God’s right hand, and will personally come again.

We believe that all have sinned and are guilty before God, and as a result, all, both individually and corporately, suffer the consequences of the fall and are under condemnation.

We believe that because of His love, God sent His Son Jesus Christ, who inaugurated His kingdom, provided an atonement for sin, conquered the principalities and powers, is reconciling the world to Himself, and will consummate His kingdom in righteousness, power and glory.

We believe that all those who repent and believe in Christ are delivered from the judgment of God, are born again into life eternal, and are called to be instruments of God’s righteousness and reconciliation in human society.

We believe in the Holy Spirit who glorifies Jesus Christ, works in all peoples to bring them to faith and obedience and dwells in believers equipping them and empowering them for lives of holiness and fruitful service.

We believe that the Church, the Body of Christ, consists of all believers and exists to fulfill Christ’s mission, making disciples of all nations and bringing healing and justice to human society, all to the glory of God.

We believe in the resurrection of the body, the everlasting punishment of unbelievers and the everlasting blessedness of believers in the presence of Christ.

We believe that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for as long as they both shall live.  It is God’s unique gift to reveal the nature of the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel for sexual expression according to Biblical standards and the means for the procreation of the human race.

Caledonia Congregational Church Statement of Purpose

 TO GLORIFY GOD

• through awareness of and response to God’s presence (Psalm 16:11)
• through love and commitment to Jesus Christ  (Luke 10:17)
• through the achievement of oneness in the Holy Spirit by worship and praise
• (Romans 15:5,6  John 17:20,21)

TO CULTIVATE PERSONAL GROWTH IN JESUS CHRIST

• through study of God’s inspired Word, the Bible  (II Timothy 2:15)
• through prayer and application of Biblical principles to life  
• (Matthew 6:6, I Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6,7)
• through the development of mature Christians who reflect the character of Jesus Christ
• (Colossians 1:28, Philippians 1:27)

 TO CARE ABOUT ONE ANOTHER IN JESUS CHRIST

• through sharing one another’s joys, growth and needs
• (Acts 2:42-47, Galatians 6:2, Romans 12:15)
• through recognition and encouragement of the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer
• (Romans 12:4-8, I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11, Galatians 5:22,23)
• through service and sacrifice to meet each other’s needs  
• (Acts 2:44, 45, I Corinthians 12:25,26)

 TO BRING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE WORLD

• through witness of the salvation of Jesus Christ in our daily living and through reproduction of our life in Jesus Christ through evangelism 
•  (Colossians 4:5,6, Ephesians 5:15-17, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8)
• through discipling by preaching, worship, and cultivation of caring relationships
• (I Timothy 4:12, 13, II Timothy 4:2)
• through consistent living out of Biblical principles in family life  
• (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Ephesians 5:21-6:4)