Senior Pastor

Pastor Expectations and Responsibilities

Principal Function: The pastor is responsible to the church for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, engaging in pastoral care ministries to meet the needs of persons in the congregation and in the community, and leading the ministerial and vocational staff. Responsibilities include but are not limited to these expectations.

Word:

• To preach the word of God, lead worship, read the Scriptures, and engage the congregation in study and witness in the orthodox tradition of Wesleyan Methodism, under the guidance of the Global Methodist Church's policy, doctrine, and theology.
• Lead the congregation in discipleship and outreach so that others may come to know and follow Christ.
• Counsel individuals with personal, ethical and spiritual challenges.

Sacraments:

• Conduct the Lord's Supper and encourage participation while explaining its meaning.
• Perform the marriage ceremony after counsel with both the woman and the man, in accordance with the laws and rules of the State of Georgia.
• Prepare the parents and sponsors before baptizing infants or children and instruct them concerning the significance of baptism, and their responsibilities for the Christian training of the baptized child. Prepare adults for first time baptism.
• Reaffirm the profession of faith by instruction to those baptized in infancy, childhood, or those joining or transferring their membership.
• Conduct funeral and memorial services and provide grief counseling.

Service:

• Embody the teachings of Jesus in servant ministries and servant leadership.
• Build the body of Christ as a caring and giving congregation, extending the ministry of Christ.
• Participate in the community and encourage the congregation to do the same.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain a regular program of continued education and self-enrichment to enable your planning and participation of meaningful worship services.
• Prepare and conduct worship services, leading the church in proclaiming the gospel to the congregation and the community.
• Promote personal development and encourage church members and visitors in their individual pursuit of Christian maturity.
• Personally prepare and lead small group and/or special topic Bible studies.
• Support the development of programs and respective lay leadership to reach all segments of our church, recognizing that ministry is balanced between five biblical purposes: fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism, and worship.
• Visit the homes of church members, visitors, the sick, shut-ins and others in need.
• Maintain all confessional confidences, except in cases where mandatory reporting is required by law.
• Participate in meetings of church committees as an ad hoc member.
• Provide direction and support to ministry program leaders to ensure that programs are firmly rooted in the church’s statement of faith, orthodox Wesleyan Methodism, and the long history of connectionalism, taking advantage of Global Methodist Church resources.
• Actively participate in local church programs of ministry and mission projects.
• Partner with other pastors, community leaders, and school leaders within the Harlem community, to serve Jesus and our community through joint ministry projects throughout the year, developing fellowship and community-wide opportunities to witness and worship.
• Plan, coordinate and conduct seasonal church programs for occasions such as but not limited to Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas Eve.
• Supervise, coordinate and evaluate the work of church staff in conjunction with the Staff Parish Relations Committee.
• Coordinate and/or complete and submit all required reporting to the North Georgia Global Methodist Conference as requested.

Evaluation:

The Staff Parish Committee will provide a written evaluation annually of the pastor’s effectiveness in ministry and the church’s growth.

Community Information

https://www.harlemga.org/

Our community is located near the Georgia-South Carolina border, on the outskirts of Augusta. Augusta is home to the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence & Fort Eisenhower, a dozen hospitals (including the Children's Hospital of Georgia, the largest burn center in the U.S.), the Georgia Cancer Center, and the conveniences and services of a major metropolitan area (airport, shopping, performing arts). Our secondary schools are modern facilities within the Columbia County School District. Nearby higher education opportunities include Augusta University, Paine College, Augusta Technical College, the Dental College of Georgia, and the Medical College of Georgia.

Our Campus

Our all-brick structure is centrally located in the community, with adjacent open city lots that provide room for outdoor activities and future growth. The building consists of a traditional sanctuary with modern sound and video technology, a fellowship hall, a commercial kitchen, and classrooms for all ages. Two age-appropriate playgrounds are also on the property. Our four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath parsonage, built in 2011, is located less than half a mile away in a quiet neighborhood.

Church Programs

Sunday Morning programs include Sunday School for all ages with four adult classes, a coffee/donut fellowship time, a blended worship service and children's church. Communion is served at the prayer rail in the worship service on the first Sunday of each month. Our youth meet on Sunday afternoons for instruction and activities. Wednesday evening events begin with a fellowship meal provided by various groups within the congregation, followed by choir practice, a children's program, and our prayer warriors gathering. Other church programs include active Methodist Women's and Methodist Men's groups, mid-week Bible studies, a Monday-through-Friday preschool, and seasonal age-appropriate activities.

Salary & Benefits

We offer a generous salary (commensurate with experience) and benefits package including pension, health care and business mileage as well as a rent and maintenance free parsonage.