Hoadley Evangelical Missionary Church in Bluffton, AB is looking for a Lead Pastor

HEMC is looking for a shepherding, teaching, and evangelizing pastor that will come alongside the body to actively participate in this exciting journey forward.

Vision - To commit our hearts to God, our community and each other.

Mission - Living out the love of God both inside and outside of the church and creating space for all to thrive. Caring for the needs of the community and each other including the overlooked and disadvantaged. By walking together using our spiritual gifts with creativity, connections, and resources; both as teams and individually.

Values 

Relationship: All are valuable image bearers of God. There is room for everyone to be known and cared for. (Image bearers of God-Gen.1:27; Rom. 1:23)

Biblical Teaching: The Bible is our foundation used to thoroughly equip us for the work that we are each called to do. (Scripture is God breathed II Tim. 3:16-17)

Spiritual Growth: Spiritual growth continues when we purposefully live in a united, loving community that abides in God’s presence. (Christ is the vine, we are the branches-John. 15:5)

Where We Are

HEMC is situated east of the crossroads of Highway 20 and Secondary 611. We are 20 mins north of the largest, nearby town of Rimbey, AB (pop. 2,500) which has 4 schools, shopping, restaurants, hotels, hospital, library, RCMP detachment and the Peter Lougheed Community Centre, which among other facilities, houses the ice arena and curling rink. Red Deer, the closest city, is an hour away.

There are two hamlets located nearby; Winfield (K-6 school) and Bluffton (K-9 school). Being in a rural area, we are fortunate to have several active community halls close by. 

Short drives will take you to several recreational locations ideal for camping, fishing, and boating. Some of these include Medicine, Pigeon, Battle, Buck and Twin Lakes and Open Creek Dam.

Who We Are

HEMC is a small, rural community church that was originally established by the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church in 1934. We are now a part of the EMC of Canada.

In recent months, attendance has been 80-100. We are a multi-generational, family-oriented congregation primarily made up of farmers, tradespeople, energy workers, entrepreneurs, and professionals. The congregation consists of many who are gifted in musical and artistic abilities. You will often find us enjoying the outdoors through camping, hunting, fishing, sports, and gardening.

HEMC had a long-term relationship with the previous pastor. Moving forward, we felt that it would be beneficial for the church to go through a transitional period before hiring a permanent pastor. This has allowed the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of the congregation in times of introspection, evaluation, and growth. Some of the fruits we are currently experiencing include: healthier relationships with one another as a result of self-reflection, confession, forgiveness and reconciliation, increased baptisms, dedications, and added members. There is also more dynamic and vibrant worship, higher engagement from the whole body and hunger for spiritual growth. 

Ministries that are currently and consistently operating include a school outreach Kids Club, a summer run VBS, our worship teams, overseas mission support, community care and an active youth group.  

What We Are Looking For

As our pastor is ultimately called by God, our desire is to be led by someone who reflects the practice of abiding in the love and presence of God. Who, therefore, models a dependence upon that relationship in dedication to the study of God's word, the response to the invitations of its wise application and the outflow of deep connection with the body and community. 

We are looking for a Godly shepherd who is self-aware and adept at using emotional intelligence to bring out the best in all types of individuals and our ministry teams. Someone with an outgoing personality who is willing and comfortable to purposefully and frequently connect with the congregation and community members to build relationships. 

Desired Lead Pastor Traits…

Shepherd, someone with the capacity and desire to serve God, by overseeing, training, and caring for the needs of the body, to create an environment to facilitate a closer relationship with God, our community and each other.

Teacher, someone who has a deep love of learning and a desire to share the Word of God, by using a variety of ways to instruct, explain and expound biblical truth that connects with many types of learners. 

Evangelism, someone who is outgoing, personable and reaches out to the community. Using Spirit-given capacity and desire to lead others in understanding and accepting the saving knowledge of Jesus and living life in the Kingdom.  

HEMC PASTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

The primary role of the Pastor of HEMC is to shepherd, lead and oversee the church body through biblical visionary leadership, creative biblical teaching, strategic planning to develop passionate followers of Jesus Christ to achieve the mission.

Servant Leadership:

• The Pastor is responsible for overseeing the planning and implementation of HEMC vision, mission and strategic plan created by the church body.
• He will work to motivate the church body in a passionate, unified approach to fulfill the vision of the church.
• Work alongside the Church Board to plan the “How” the overall direction of the church will be fulfilled.
• Oversee and encourage multiplication of ministry (teaching, leadership, vision development) by developing and empowering the lay leadership of the church. He will be a leader of leaders.
• Oversees assimilation of new families into the church.
• He will regularly discuss and evaluate the ministries of the church and their progress with the Church Board.
• The Pastor will work alongside the Ministry Team Leaders of the church to encourage and mentor leadership development and provide accountability for the growth of individual ministries.

Preaching and Teaching:

• The Pastor along with the Church Board will be responsible for the development and managing of the preaching schedule.
• He will be governed by prayer and scripture throughout the week in preparation for each week’s sermon.
• Will directly oversee the Sunday morning schedule.
• He will work in close connection with the Worship Ministry Team Leader and teams to create an enjoyable focused worship atmosphere on Sunday mornings.
• He will be devoted to guiding the body to a life of faith in Jesus Christ and all that that entails.

Administration:

• The Lead Pastor will provide oversight to the day-to-day operation of the church office.
• Along with the Church Board, oversee business decisions for the ministries of the church.

Outreach:

• The Pastor will work to foster an attitude of outreach within the church.
• In working with the Church Board and other Team leaders the pastor will help develop creative ways to engage the church in reaching out to and loving our communities.
• Will live a life as an example focused on reaching others with the love of Jesus.

Pastoral:

• The Lead Pastor may provide basic Crisis, Marriage, Pre-marital coaching, mentoring, and counseling. Beyond the basic, he will refer them to a person(s) more qualified to counsel.
• He will officiate Weddings and Funerals in consultation with the Church Board.
• Oversees the visitation of sick and shut-ins.
• The pastor will be the primary contact with new and visiting families of the church. He will contact them or visit them within two weeks of their first attendance. He will also visit all the adherents of the church within two years.
• He will share emergency calling duties with the Church Board.

Working Relationships:

• The Pastor will work alongside the Church Board in all matters of leadership.
• The Pastor is accountable to the Church Board of HEMC.
• The Pastor will work with the Church Board regarding the involvement with the Local Ministerial Group and/or EMCC participation.

QUALIFICATIONS…

• Faithful in prayer and personal devotion to Jesus Christ, dedicated to sound biblical doctrine, with shepherding, teaching, and evangelism skills. 
• A skilled communicator, demonstrating high emotional intelligence in relationships.
• A capacity to inspire and enable others to reach their God-given calling and to achieve fruitfulness in their personal lives and ministries.
• Understand and support the vision, mission, and strategic direction of H.E.M.C.
• Bachelors or Masters Degree from an accredited theological institute.
• Agree with the HEMC Statement of Faith and be willing to be credentialed by the EMC of Canada.

CONTACTING US…

• If, after prayerful consideration, you feel called to this position, then we want to hear from you.
• To apply, please submit to Talitha (talithapeacock@gmail.com) and Mike (mikesteeves@live.com) the following:
  • Cover Letter
  • Comprehensive Resume including references
  • Your faith story
  • Your Philosophy of Ministry (Philosophy of Leadership)

Click here to download the job application PDF