Pastor of Calavry Reformed Church

Pastor Job Description

Calvary Reformed Church — Cleveland, Ohio

About Calvary Reformed Church

Calvary Reformed Church is seeking its next Pastor to lead our congregation into its next season of ministry.

Calvary Reformed Church began as Lawn Avenue Chapel in Cleveland in 1881, as a church plant from Western Michigan serving the urban community of Cleveland, Ohio. Throughout its history, the church has been blessed with a long line of faithful pastors and has continually adapted its ministry to meet the changing needs of the surrounding neighborhood.

Today, Calvary Reformed Church is a Christ-centered, multi-ethnic congregation located in Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway (Gordon Square) neighborhood. Our mission is to “plant Clevelanders in Christ” through worship, discipleship, creation care, gaming, and meal ministry.

Proclaiming the gospel and seeing lives transformed for the Kingdom of God have always been central to Calvary’s ministry. We continue that mission today and are excited about the opportunities ahead. Over the next five years, we hope to expand our ministry and deepen our outreach to those seeking a Savior, veterans in our community, neighbors in need, and anyone looking for a meal, a place to belong, or a friend.

The Position

Calvary Reformed Church is seeking a Solo Pastor who will provide spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and vision for our congregation and community. The Pastor will work alongside an excellent leadership team, guiding and equipping leaders while faithfully preaching and teaching God’s Word.

The Pastor will be responsible for the primary pastoral duties of the church, including leading Consistory, shepherding the congregation in partnership with the elders, and providing oversight and support to the church’s various ministries by leading and developing ministry leaders.

Key responsibilities include:

·      Leading and facilitating weekly worship services.

·      Faithfully preaching and teaching God’s Word.

·      Providing pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and encouragement to the congregation.

·      Working closely with the elders to shepherd and care for the church family.

·      Leading Consistory and providing spiritual and organizational leadership to the church.

·      Recruiting, coordinating, and equipping volunteers for ministry.

·      Supporting and developing ministry leaders across the congregation.

·      Building relationships within the Detroit-Shoreway/Gordon Square community.

·      Helping Calvary pursue its mission of reaching neighbors with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

·      Participating in and supporting outreach ministries, including meal ministry, creation care, gaming, and other community-focused initiatives.

Calvary is particularly interested in a Pastor who is willing to live in or near the neighborhood, becoming a visible presence and faithful witness to the community. We desire a Pastor who will not simply serve the neighborhood but will seek to know, love, and walk alongside the people who call it home.

Above all, we are looking for someone who is full of grace and truth—someone who knows God’s Word, is grounded in God’s Word, and is continually growing in God’s Word alongside the congregation.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

·      A seminary degree, preferably a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent theological degree.

·      Ordination in the Reformed Church in America (RCA), or a willingness and ability to pursue ordination within the RCA.

·      A strong theological foundation and a commitment to faithful, biblical preaching and teaching.

·      Experience in pastoral ministry is preferred, though we welcome candidates who are recently graduated from seminary and are ready to grow into the responsibilities of a solo pastorate.

·      A demonstrated ability to communicate God’s Word clearly and effectively to people from diverse backgrounds and at various stages of faith.

·      A heart for pastoral care and the ability to extend grace, compassion, and hospitality to both church members and those who come to Calvary through our community ministries.

·      A commitment to loving God and loving our neighbors.

·      The ability to lead, equip, and encourage ministry leaders and volunteers.

·      A desire to grow personally and professionally in ministry while helping the congregation grow in faith and discipleship.

We are looking for a Pastor who understands that ministry is ultimately about people: loving God, loving the church, loving our neighbors, and faithfully proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.

Our Community

Calvary Reformed Church is located in the heart of Cleveland’s vibrant Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, also known as Gordon Square. Our location provides an opportunity to serve a diverse and dynamic community while enjoying all that Cleveland has to offer.

One of the great treasures of Cleveland is the Metroparks system, including nearby Edgewater Park, where Calvary holds an outdoor worship service during the summer. Our church is also close to many of the city’s cultural and recreational attractions, including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, professional sports featuring the Cleveland Guardians, Cavaliers, and Browns, excellent restaurants, the West Side Market, and the shores of Lake Erie.

The Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood is an eclectic and diverse community, bringing together people from a wide range of racial and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic circumstances, and faith traditions. It is a neighborhood filled with opportunities to build relationships, serve others, and share the love of Christ.

Cleveland also offers excellent Christian schools and educational opportunities for families with children.

While Cleveland may not always be portrayed accurately in the mainstream media, those who know and love this city know that it is much more than its old nickname, “The Mistake on the Lake.” Cleveland is a city of hard-working people, resilient neighborhoods, strong communities, and people who love deeply and generously. We believe it is a wonderful place to live, serve, and minister.

How to Apply

If you believe God may be calling you to serve as the next Pastor of Calvary Reformed Church, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact our Pastor Search Team Leader, James Woods, at 2825jw@gmail.com, or our Transition Pastor, Jay Carroll, at bigjaycarroll@gmail.com to learn more about the position and application process.

We look forward to hearing from you and discovering together what God has in store for the next chapter of Calvary Reformed Church.

Come help us plant Clevelanders in Christ.