Teaching Elder

Shoestring Valley Community Church  

TEACHING ELDER  

Job Summary 

The Teaching Elder provides spiritual, pastoral and administrative leadership to the membership of Shoestring Valley Community Church (SVCC). He serves as the “chief under-shepherd” of the congregation so that it might fulfill its mission and purpose as the body and bride of Christ. The Teaching Elder preaches, teaches, and provides visionary leadership in worship, soul care, outreach, and administration. 

Supervision 

The Teaching Elder serves under the supervision and mutual submission of the Elder Board. He is a member of the Elder Board with equal influence as they provide oversight and make decisions by consensus.  

Responsibilities 

Subject to review and adjustment by the Elder Board, the following constitute the major responsibilities of the Teaching Elder: 

I. Worship 

1. Carefully study the Word of God (Acts 6:4; I Tim. 5:17), under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), to be freshly equipped to preach and teach it to the saints within the congregation (Eph 4:12) as well as for his individual spiritual growth. 
2. Be devoted to prayer (Col. 4:2). 
3. Plan and lead the Sunday worship service in cooperation with the other Elders, and/or appropriate Deacons including administration of communion and baptismal services. 
4. Officiate at special services such as weddings, funerals, nursing home services, etc. 
5. Work with the leadership of the music teams to select and maintain worship music that facilitates genuine and diverse worship of God (John 4:23).

   II. Soul Care  

1. Lead in the ministry of counseling for members and friends of SVCC, equipping and encouraging other Elders and leaders to do likewise. 
2. Oversee and participate in visitation of the sick, infirm, and others in need. 
3. Make appropriate referrals when necessary and quickly respond to crisis situations which arise in the congregation.  
4. Encourage and equip husbands, fathers, or heads of households to disciple their household (Eph. 5-6). 
5. Support and encourage the development of small groups. 
6. Care for his own soul by taking one full day off per week for rest and refreshment – and- attending at least one seminar, retreat, or conference annually for personal spiritual and professional growth. 

III. Outreach 

1. Encourage and equip the saints to live and speak the truth of the gospel in their circles of influence, and to fulfill their individual role in the Great Commission. 
2. Facilitate the assimilation of new members into the life of the congregation. 
3. Winsomely represent SVCC to other churches and to the community. 
4. Encourage all individuals and teams within the church to carry out their work with an emphasis on welcoming others to participate in the mission work of Christ.

 IV. Administration  

1. Build a sense of teamwork among church staff and lay leaders, holding regular meetings to coordinate the ministries of the church and facilitate communication.  
2. Support and assist the leaders who have primary responsibility in other ministry areas. 
3. Participate in the hiring and supervision of other staff as determined by the Elder Board. 
4. Chair Elder Board meetings and act as ex-officio member of all other SVCC teams. 

Working Conditions 

The position of Teaching Elder requires great flexibility in hours available for work, including evenings and weekends. He should be in the office a sufficient amount of time for accessibility to members of the congregation and for regular communication with members of the church staff. 

Church and Area Information

Shoestring Valley Community Church was established circa 1977. Attendance on Sunday mornings is about 130 people. Members/attenders are newborns to 90’s. It is an active church community that cares for each other beyond Sunday mornings. We are a missions-oriented congregation, supporting local as well as international ministries. 

SVCC is located 6 miles east of Onalaska, WA (15 miles east of Interstate 5) in Lewis County. Lewis County is located approximately halfway between Portland, OR and the Tacoma/Seattle, WA area.

Lewis County has a population of 87,000. The “Twin Cities” of Chehalis (county seat, pop. 7600) and Centralia (pop. 19,000) are the major shopping areas. Historically Lewis County is a logging and agricultural area. The people have a strong connection with the land. Politically it is conservative. Weather varies by location and can be overcast much of late fall and winter.