At Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, we are looking for a pastor who has a personal relationship with God and whose mission is the Great Commission and preaching the inspired and inerrant Word of God.
Our ideal pastor will have attended and completed theological education at a seminary and is skilled at conveying Scriptural knowledge in sermons. Personal characteristics and traits that we believe are vital to success in our community include humility, honesty, integrity, empathy, and enthusiasm. We desire a pastor who will continue to challenge us to grow in our faith; join in outreach and encouragement; and mentor members. Strong communication skills are important.
Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church is a rural church located in south-central Nebraska, where agriculture is a core industry. Our church was established 133 years ago and has a strong presence in nearby communities. Members live in surrounding areas. Hope has vibrant youth programming and a range of other programs and activities. Please visit our website, hopelutheranchurch.co, for more information.
Hope's members are generous in time, talent and treasure. The church, parsonage and cemetery grounds are well-kept facilities that are located in the country and provide a wonderful rural residence for the pastor's family. Hope employs a part-time secretary, and members of the church volunteer to help with janitorial and outdoor maintenance. Our financially stable church offers a competitive pastoral compensation package. Pastoral support is available through Gosper County, Phelps County, and LCMC local-area ministerial groups.
Bertrand, a village of 750, has a strong school system, and the residents are friendly people you can depend on. Residents take pride in the appearance of their neighborhoods. Bertrand offers a swimming pool, auto repair, golf course, restaurants, grocery store, medical facility, senior center, nursing home, and a weight room at the school that is available for community use. There are also YMCAs in two neighboring communities. The area has convenient access to natural recreation areas at Johnson, Elwood, and Harlan lakes and is a great area for hunting. There are numerous fairs and rodeos in the region each summer. We are also fortunate to be close to Kearney, a town of 30,000 residents, which is home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney and offers comprehensive shopping.
With questions, please call the contacts listed above. If interested, please provide a resume, credentials, and contact information via email to the address listed above. Further information about our church can be found on the website. We look forward to your interest in joining the family of Hope Lutheran Church.
PASTOR RESPONSIBILITIES Accountable to: ultimately, to the church, corporately, who calls him or her; in day-to-day ministry, to the governing board with whom he or she works. With his or her leadership, the governing board determines the mission, ministry and policies for the local congregation.
Accountable with: fellow staff members as a team and the congregation as a family for the total ministry of the local church life and the mission to the community and world.
Accountable with: area and region leaders, LCMC leaders, other churches, for meaningful participation in the support of broader mission efforts.
The Pastor's responsibilities shall include but not be limited to
Be a faithful shepherd (Luke 15:3-6)Adhere to congregation's constitution, By-Laws & Statements of Faith and strive for fulfillment of Vision Statement.Preach and teach the word of God (Bible Study, Membership Classes Confirmation, and Bible School).Administer the sacraments, offer instruction, confirm, visit the sick and shut-in, officiate weddings and funerals.Lead public worship.Provide pastoral care and enable members to care for each other as an example of their love for Christ.Give public witness in the world; in matters of Christian faith and practice.Advise all schools and organizations of this congregation, cooperating with other local churches in appropriate efforts and witness.Install elected members of the council, committees and other congregational leaders.Actively participate with Council and other committees by consulting, advising, coordinating, evaluating and administer church discipline.Strive to extend the kingdom of God in the community, nation, and abroad.Seek out and encourage persons to prepare for the ministry of the Gospel.Participate in the Lutheran church body in which this congregation is a member (LCMC), attend conferences, conventions regularly and encourage members of the congregation to do likewise.Maintain accurate records of statistical activities, i.e. births, deaths, marriages, and burials.Provide a written report of ministerial activities to the congregation at the annual meeting.Personal Growth and Recreation Appropriate time for personal reading, research, and meditation.
Plan for the completion of two Continuing Education Units or equivalence annually.
Evaluation The council and parish committee will evaluate the minister annually. Reviews will be based on performance of competency established at the beginning of the calendar year.
The minister will conduct annual evaluations of the church secretary.
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