Part Time Pastor Search
Flat Branch Covenant Presbyterian Church
130 Darroch Road
Bunnlevel, North Carolina 28323
www.flatbranchpc.org
Who We Are
We were organized October 3, 1873. We are a church made up of loving members who bear one another’s burdens, bear the fruits of the Gospel and bear witness to the world of our faith in Jesus Christ. We voted unanimously to leave the PC(USA) on Sunday, October 4, 2015. We became a member of ECO, a Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians in 2016. We are a rural, agricultural community located in Harnett County, NC, near Fort Bragg, the largest United States Military Installation in the world. Our community and church are made up of farmers, businessmen and women and active and retired military. Many of our covenant partners are employed locally and in neighboring towns. Schools for all ages are located a short distance from our church. We are located 20 miles from Fayetteville, NC and about 40 miles from Raleigh, NC. While we are an older, smaller congregation, we remain eager to worship God and care for others.
Church History
The story of Flat Branch began in the early 1870’s when a Sunday School was conducted in a log schoolhouse where the present church stands today. On Friday, October 3, 1873, a church was organized and called Flat Branch, after the branch that flowed at the foot of the hill. Twenty-three members were received. The current sanctuary was completed in 1965 followed by the educational building and fellowship hall, built in stages and completed in 1984. In recent years, we have added a large picnic shelter to enhance our fellowship space. We are currently planning a handicap accessible restroom addition on the sanctuary level. Many have served. Many have been faithful to the work and ministry of Flat Branch Church. Our 148th anniversary occurred in October 2021.
Church Demographics
We have approximately 116 covenant partners and friends.
Ages
0-10 9
11-18 10
19-35 9
36-50 18
51-70 26
71 + 44
Average worship attendance: 50
Annual Budget $140,000
Session: 12 members on a 3-year rotation
Part-time Staff includes a Music Director, Secretary, Bookkeeper, Housekeeper, and Groundskeeper.
Services
We have Sunday school at 10 a.m. for youth and adults, followed by worship at 11a.m. on Sundays.
Our youth meet on Sunday evenings and our JOY Club Children’s program is on Wednesday evening.
Fellowship and Outreach
Fellowship to Go – quarterly night out
Annual Ladies Christmas Luncheon
Annual Chili Cook Off and Souper Bowl Sunday
Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday Services
Easter Egg Hunt and Resurrection Lesson
Easter Sunrise Service and Breakfast
Family Fun Day and Fall Festival
Joy Club – Weekly Children’s program
Sunday School for all ages – kids, teens, and adults
Blessing of the backpacks
Monthly ladies’ lunch and circle meetings
C.A.R.E. (Christians Actively Reaching Everyone)
Christmas Musical and Children’s Christmas Program
Adult Choir
Programs We Support
Operation Christmas Child
Buddy Backpacks
Harnett Food Pantry – donations and volunteers
Girl Scouts – provide facility
Part Time Pastor
Our prayers and our humble desires are that the Lord will lead us to find a part-time bi-vocational Pastor who loves the Lord, has a heart for spiritual growth and who will lead the church.
Pastor/Shepherd Qualities
Be devoted to the service of Christ and His church
Preach and teach Biblically based messages
Administer the sacraments to all of God’s people
Assist the Elders in ministering to the sick and shut-ins
Effective communicator
Prepare weekly worship experiences
Pastor and shepherd, the flock at Flat Branch
Inspire and support Bible studies
Prepare the church to become a Flourishing Church
Moderate session meetings in a way that values the wisdom and faith of others
Working with our youth and children, providing confirmation classes, if required
Officiate weddings and funerals
Someone who will challenge and encourage the leadership to lead, teach and be examples
Adult discipleship and youth background
Provide pastoral care for the congregation who seek comfort and guidance through the church
Serve as head of staff
Assist boards and committees in their ministry
Train newly elected officers and assist in preparing persons for membership
Our Vision
Foster strong Christian discipleship by providing spiritual worship, Biblical teaching and opportunities for service to the community and world.
Our Mission
Changing Lives for Christ by: Inviting, Winning, Growing, Equipping, Sending
Flat Branch Pastoral Search Committee Responsibilities Matters such as salary and benefits for the Part Time Pastor will be negotiated within the parameters that ECO provides for the position.
We pledge support from our session.
Alvin McArtan– Committee Chairman
Carolyn Frasier– Contact Person