SUMMARY

     The Pastor is to provide overall leadership for the church; preaching the Word of God, ensuring the spiritual care, spiritual growth, and shepherding of the congregation so that the body is built up and equipped to do the work of Jesus Christ. His passion for God should be manifested in an emphasis on worship, edification and outreach and he must promote that passion in the life of the congregation.

QUALIFICATIONS

     Spiritual

• Shall demonstrate a vital and growing relationship with Jesus Christ, a man of prayer and the Word; manifesting a passion for God.

• Shall be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in his life and ministry, allowing the Spirit to have free reign in his preaching and teaching, with a central focus on the person and work of Jesus Christ.

• Shall live an exemplary life based on clear Biblical Principles, beyond reproach.

• Shall be consistent with, and committed to the requirements of an Elder as set forth in I Timothy 3: 1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

     Professional

• Shall possess strong preaching, teaching, leadership, and discipleship skills.

• Shall have a theological position that is exegetically informed.

• Shall have experience in pastoral ministries in a church.

• Shall have seminary training, or equivalent.

• Shall support the Statement of Faith of ICF and evidence commitment to the church’s stated purpose.

     Personal

• Shall be well ordered in his personal and family life.

• Shall be self-motivated.

• Shall exhibit characteristics of warmth, friendliness, empathy and sincerity; possessing an outgoing and friendly nature.

• Shall exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23).

• Shall have a desire to minister in the urban Portland area.

• Shall be committed to local, national and international missions.

RELATIONSHIPS

     The Pastor is accountable to the Church Board and will work closely with them in establishing and promoting the direction and priorities of the church’s ministries.

RESPONSIBILITIES

     Preaching and Teaching

     The Pastor is responsible for proclaiming God’s Word at the church’s public services and should consider the pulpit ministry to be of high priority. He should spend the necessary time in study and prayer to preach Biblically based sermons, tied closely to the Scriptural text, with accuracy. The sermons should be easily understood, with relevant and timely application with the goal of compelling the listeners to action, leading to changed lives, spiritual growth and maturity.

     Aim and Purpose

     The aim of ICF is to edify and strengthen believers, work for the furtherance of the Gospel, as exemplified by Jesus Christ and his disciples, and support Missions and the planting of churches at home and abroad. The Pastor will be responsible for communicating this aim to the congregation. He will work regularly with the Board to identify ministry priorities that will move the church closer to our aim and will seek to keep it at the forefront of leadership discussions. In light of the rapidly changing ministry needs of our culture, the Pastor should invest time to stay abreast of societal and ministry trends, new ministry strategies and opportunities. This will include ongoing Scriptural study regarding the church, reading key books and articles related to society and ministry and attend conferences that can help him and the leadership of the church to be well equipped for ministry. The Pastor should regularly bring these issues to the Board for discussion and evaluation.

     Leadership

     The Pastor, along with the Board, will provide spiritual leadership to ICF. He will provide ongoing training and guidance to the Board. He must lead with compassion, exhibiting a pastor’s heart with a desire to know and be known by the congregation. Motivation of volunteers in their ministries will be key to the Pastor’s leadership responsibility. He will personally seek to stay current with the literature pertaining to leadership in order to be effective. He should attend ICF Business Meetings.

     Pastoral Care

     As a shepherd, the Pastor is responsible to ensure that the spiritual needs of the congregation are met. He will lead the Board and congregation by prayer, instruction and Godly example. In conjunction with the Board, he will ensure that spiritual care is provided to those who are in personal crisis, sick or injured, or who are confined due to illness or age, through visitation and other appropriate means. On a limited basis, the Pastor will perform counseling duties of a scriptural nature for short-term situations, sharing these duties with other members of the church when necessary. He will oversee the pastoral functions of the administration of the Lord’s Supper, baptisms, weddings, child dedications, and funerals.