South Lebanon Community Church is seeking a full-time Senior Pastor who is gifted and called to church ministry, loves people, has a passion for evangelism, and corporate worship experience within a multigenerational congregational setting.
This person will assume the same responsibilities as the current Senior Pastor, including teaching on Sunday, and helping to carry out the mission and vision of SLCC. After an intentional transition period the Senior Associate Pastor would take on the role of Senior Pastor.
Experience/Skills
The successful candidate will have a strong background in preaching, teaching, ministry development, team building, discipleship and spiritual formation strategies with proven success in implementing these strategies. The candidate will have a proven track record of leadership, organizational development and effective communication, at a church of 300+. They must have strong people skills and a driving passion to reach people far from God and help them grow deeper in their faith.
The candidate must embrace the ability to work within a community and promote innovation through collaboration. In addition, the individual will show an ability to connect across generations. Experience in a medium to large church setting and supervisory experience in a multi-staff setting is preferred.
Above all, the man must have a passion for God himself – dedicated to knowing Him and loving Him with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Goals and Expectations
South Lebanon Community Church has been intentional in developing a succession plan as our current Senior Pastor transitions into retirement. The new Senior Pastor will need the heart, desire, patience, and steadfastness to move diligently through this season of transition and growth. The effective Senior Pastor will achieve the following goals:
The effective Senior Associate Pastor will achieve the following goals:
Personal Characteristics
Education
B.A. degree with Pastoral/Ministry Leadership or equivalent education is preferred but not required.
Established on January 1, 2019, SLCC has roots that stretch back more than 100 years. Born out of the Midway Church of the Brethren in 1902, from part of the Tulpehocken Congregation starting with 195 members. The Midway Congregation alternated meetings at the Bucher Meeting House on Scheaffer Road and the Midway Meeting House, both in South Lebanon, and was a part of the Church of the Brethren. Later, the congregation expanded the Midway Meeting House at the current location of 13 Evergreen Road. This building was subsequently enlarged with a sanctuary in 1951, Sunday School classrooms in 1987 and 1995, and the addition of a Family Life Center in 2001 that was enlarged in 2013 to facilitate worship services.
The church has seen many changes and much growth; yet, the goal to be faithful to God’s Word and obedient to the call to make disciples has been constant. In 1963, L. John Weaver became the first pastor, succeeded by Hartman Rice in 1980; Jack Harpold in 1983; and Charles Ilyes in 2005.