https://cpcmc.org/pdmt/lrs/
Following link, go to "Opportunity List" then under "del Cristo Presbytery" go to "Grace Fellowship Community Church"
Introduction
Grace Fellowship Community Church (GFCC), a Cumberland Presbyterian congregation based
in the Mission District of San Francisco, is offering a position for an experienced pastor for a
congregation following a time of transition.
GFCC, founded in 1983, emerged from the Cumberland Presbyterian Chinese Church, with a
vision to serve God as an expression of His Kingdom in San Francisco. Originally a small, pre-
dominantly Chinese-American congregation, with the majority of members having similar age
and socio-economic position, it has since become a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-genera-
tional congregation, with socio-economic diversity. GFCC has had 2 senior pastors in its 35
year history; the founding pastor served until his death in 2006, at which time the founding as-
sociate pastor assumed the senior role until taking leave in 2018 for renewal and reassessment
of vocational calling. Throughout its history, GFCC has placed a high value on commitment to
the church community, leading to ingrained patterns and approaches to ministry, leadership
practices, and other aspects of church life. While much of this has been valuable and benefi-
cial, parts have incurred dysfunctional aspects, including a tendency to stifle individual spiritual
formation. The senior pastor will act as a companion on the church’s journey, reflecting back
what s/he observes to be at work in the congregation and providing guidance on, and creating
space to nurture healthy spiritual and ministry practices to promote healing for the
congregation. As the primary shepherd of the congregation, the pastor will be principally or
solely responsible for some duties. Other duties will be performed in partnership with leader-
ship (elders and others) within the congregation, in order to avoid placing unreasonable burden
on the pastor, as well as to nurture development of existing leadership.
GFCC is part of the Del Cristo Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. It is
fully self-supporting. Approximately 175 people attend services each Sunday. GFCC has his-
torically placed a high value on the centrality of God’s word, and has also gathered for a mid-
week formational time (often in the form of Bible study).
Framework for Job Description
The Pastor will have primary responsibility for the care and shepherding of the congregation
during his/her tenure.
1. The role is full time.
2. The Pastor will have primary responsibility for preaching. In coordination with the worship
planning team, the Pastor will plan worship services.
3. If approved by the Presbytery, the pastor will moderate Session meetings and preside over
communion. Being approved by Del Cristo Presbytery is a necessary prerequisite for these ac-
tivities.
4. The Pastor will plan and coordinate mid-week formation practices (with emphasis on lead-
ing practices that promote/ create space for congregational healing, as the Pastor deems this to
be necessary).
5. The Pastor will partner with leadership towards the adoption of spiritually healthy prac-tices.
6. The Pastor will provide pastoral care for congregants and for church staff, including meet-ing
regularly with church staff to provide pastoral oversight.
Minimum requirements
1. Minimum of 3 years pastoral experience.
2. Candidate must either be ordained in the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination or be ap-
proved by Del Cristo Presbytery if ordained in another denomination. GFCC and Presbytery Del
Cristo recognize that other denominational traditions have different requirements for ordination
and respect that other denominational practices might be helpful to our growth in Christ. In the
same way, the Presbytery expects the Pastor to show respect for the Cumberland polity,
tradition and history.
3. The Pastor must be able to work in the Church in San Francisco. Flexible hours and remote
work is negotiable.
4. The Pastor will be asked to submit references from previous churches s/he has served in
this capacity.
5. A background check and fingerprinting will be required.
Preferred Requirements
1. The Pastor should have advanced training in biblical studies.
2. Formal training and experience in counseling is preferred.
3. Multicultural experience.