Senior Pastor

Denomination: Non-Denominational

Weekly Attendance: 600

Location: Clarksburg, Maryland

The Role: Lead Pastor

Meet Cedarbrook Community Church:

Cedarbrook began thirty-two years ago as a seeker-targeted church in the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C. Their Sunday morning home for the first decade was in a rented community theater.  

On the other side of the theater was a neighborhood swimming pool – an enormous baptistry where many unforgettable “pool parties” were held in the early years as scores of individuals were baptized after finding a relationship with Jesus. 

In 2000, they moved into the current location on 15 acres in Clarksburg, MD. What followed was a significant transition. In Sunday services, the drama was replaced by an emphasis on worship. And while the music was still contemporary, new liturgical elements were added to enhance the worship experience. They embraced reaching people for Christ as fervently as ever, with a new desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus for those in need. The vision was to be known as “that church that helps people” and in significant ways, that vision is now a reality.

The team of seventeen that began Cedarbrook three decades ago has grown into a post-Covid church of more than 1100 people. Today, Clarksburg, MD, is one of the most diverse communities in the nation. While they remain deeply committed to making disciples who make disciples, and helping those in need, today the vision is also to reflect the rich ethnic diversity of the community that Cedarbrook Community Church calls home.

About the Lead Pastor:

The Lead Pastor at Cedarbrook will be the primary teacher with broad responsibility for the spiritual growth and welfare of the church. This candidate is also the primary leader and vision-caster, playing a critical role in church governance as a member of our Leadership Team (our elder board). They have a passion for making disciples who make disciples, for being the hands and feet of Jesus to people in need, and for reflecting the ethnic diversity of our community.

The Lead Pastor Responsibilities Include: 

Teaching

• The candidate is the primary teacher with broad responsibility for the spiritual growth and welfare of the church.
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• Biblically grounded, he majors on the majors, focusing their teaching on those issues on which orthodox Christians agree rather than on those issues that divide Christ-followers.
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• The candidate can relate to multiple generations and diverse populations—wherever they are on their spiritual journey—and address difficult biblical topics with a balance of truth and love.
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• Their preaching is Christ-centered. This candidate is able to teach the imperatives of Scripture, the moral norms for how we should live, and how we are unable to fulfill the commands of Scripture on our own so that listeners clearly understand their crisis and need for Christ.

Leadership

He is the primary leader and vision-caster.

• A gifted leader with broad responsibility for sharing the mission and vision of the church.
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• Leads pastoral staff and works hand-in-hand with the Leadership Team developing and articulating God’s vision for the church.
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• A strategic thinker, able to cast a compelling vision that unifies the body and reinforces the mission and purpose of the church.

The candidate plays a critical role in church governance.

• Represents the pastoral staff on the Leadership Team, serving in accordance with the Cedarbrook Community Church Bylaws.
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• Embraces the church’s philosophy of collaborative team ministry in an atmosphere where each team member is interdependent and accountable to one another, the Senior Pastor, and the Leadership Team. 

The candidate embraces a collaborative leadership style and humility in relationships.

• Loves people over programs with a focus on shepherding and discipleship.
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• Supervises and leads the staff (e.g., weekly meetings, performance evaluations, mentoring).
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• A team player who actively seeks and values the participation and contributions of others while also possessing the confidence to be decisive when necessary, even in the face of opposition. Not a micromanager.
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• A consensus builder who fosters teamwork and empowers church staff and leaders as a mentor and coaches.

What You Bring: 

Education & Experience

• Minimum four years of college and a theological degree from an accredited seminary or equivalent.
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• Extensive ministry experience (four or more years) overseeing a church is strongly preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must fully embrace our Purpose Statement, Statement of Faith, Mission, Vision, and Values.
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• Embraces Cedarbrook’s vision of making disciples who make disciples in the diverse population groups in our community.
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• Must be a dependable team player with the ability to take initiative and demonstrate strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

What it's Like to Live in Clarksburg, Maryland: 

Cedarbrook Community Church is situated in the suburban community of Clarksburg in northern Montgomery County, Maryland, in the D.C. Metro area. Clarksburg is a notably family-oriented area that has seen significant population growth over the past decade and continues to grow due to new residential development. Montgomery County is among the most diverse communities in the nation; neighboring Gaithersburg and Silver Spring are often listed among the most diverse cities in America. Clarksburg itself is very diverse. U.S. Census estimates that in 2021, just under 40% of residents identified as Asian, 33% as White, 19% as Black, and 10% as Hispanic. Maryland schools have been ranked among the best in the country by Education Week, placing fourth in the country in 2019. Montgomery and neighboring Frederick County schools are among the best in the state.

Clarksburg and its surrounding areas are truly unique, offering a full range of recreational and entertainment opportunities—from quaint downtown Frederick and its antique shops and amazing restaurants to the many nearby recreational areas and parks for picnicking, hiking, paddle boarding, and kayaking. Maryland enjoys all four seasons, making it a wonderful place to live for people who enjoy the outdoors. The rich cultural and historical features of our nation’s capital—museums, monuments, and memorials—are only 30 minutes away. Clarksburg is only 2 hours from ski mountains, 2 hours from the four-season fun of Deep Creek Lake, 3 hours from the beaches and boardwalk of Ocean City, and an hour from Gettysburg and Baltimore. There are many nearby golf courses, and no shortage of professional and collegiate sports teams within easy driving distance (Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, Frederick Keys, Maryland Terrapins, Navy Midshipmen, and more).

Many people who live in Clarksburg and its surrounding areas moved here from other parts of the country, many to work in Washington D.C. or in the area’s vibrant scientific and biotech industries. But once they move here, they feel at home, and few ever want to leave.