Lead Pastor
Are you ready to be part of something extraordinary? First Church of Christ in Altoona, PA, is not just another church; it's a community on the move, and we're looking for a leader to join us on this incredible journey.
The Vision
Five years ago, our elders felt called to transform our church by fostering genuine connections and embodying Jesus's commandment to love one another. We've grown closer, worked together, and seen amazing transformations, and now we're ready for the next step. As we transition to an elder-led model, we're seeking a brother elder to lead our congregation into the future.
You'll have the opportunity to preach, visit, lead evangelism efforts, and be an integral part of our community. And with Penn State Altoona’s campus right across the street, the possibilities for ministry are endless.
If you're feeling called to be part of something bigger than yourself, we want to meet you. Join us at First Church of Christ, where God is moving, and lives are being changed. 300-400 weekly worship service attenders over the past year.
Responsibilities
Teaching and Preaching
- Participate on the Teaching Team and in the planning of the annual sermon calendar and scheduling of preachers.
- Deliver approximately half of sermons on Sunday mornings. By the grace of God, preach and teach the Word with sincerity and authority as a servant messenger approved and entrusted by God.
- Offer comfort, guidance, and teaching to members in times of need, fostering a supportive Christian community.
Care and Connections
- Provide pastoral care to members, including visiting the sick, homebound, and those unable to attend worship services, administering the Lord’s Supper as needed.
- Support members who may be struggling spiritually or morally.
- Provide biblical counseling.
- Pray for and with congregation members, addressing their spiritual and physical needs.
- Preside over baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
Evangelism
- Exemplify spiritual growth, education, and stewardship, setting a positive example for the congregation and spread the gospel the general community.
- Lead the church’s evangelism team.
- Participate in the Blair County Pastor’s Network to promote Christian Unity among the Church of Altoona.
- Promote the doctrine of First Church while maintaining grace for other orthodox positions.
Pastoral Elder
- Attend weekly meetings of the elders.
- Attend monthly meetings of the church board.
- The Pastoral Elder has the same duties and responsibilities as the other Elders.
- Accountable to the Elders for the oversight of the Beliefs and Governance of the church.
- The Pastoral Elder will be ex-officio member of the church board.
- Provide written reports at regular church board meetings.
Personal Characteristics & Qualifications
- Faith in the divine inspiration of the Bible; the Deity and supreme authority of Christ.
- Belief in the Virgin Birth; the miracles of the Scriptures; the death, burial and bodily resurrection of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
- Belief in the necessity for faith in Christ, repentance for sins, confession of Christ, baptism by immersion, and the effectiveness of prayer.
- Faith in the reality of both a future reward in heaven for the obedient and faithful, and a future condemnation in the real hell for the disobedient.
- Commitment to the task of bringing about the unity of God's people on the basis of restoring the New Testament church in its ordinances and doctrines.
- Life is aligned with 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9
- Significant preaching experience required.
- Formal biblical training required. Degree preferred.
- A man of godly character and strong personal integrity.
- A servant leader who is relational, approachable, humble, and family-oriented.
- A shepherd with God’s heart for the flock, caring for and shepherding with humility, compassion, and by example.
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