Presbyterian Church       

PRESBYTERIAN KIRK OF THE HILLS

PASTOR  DESCRIPTION

Job Description for this Role

 Worship Leader

• Preach and lead worship
• Administer the Celebration of the Sacraments
• Conduct weddings and funerals

Teacher

• Bible Study
• Lead and/or assist with small groups
• Offer classes for new/prospective members

Missions/Outreach

• Support in missions and service projects
• Foster strong connections within the Kirk church family
• Identify opportunities to expand the outreach of the Kirk in the community

Pastoral Care

• Visit ill in hospital and home
• Provide grief and spiritual counsel
• Continue to develop his or her own spiritual life and growth through education
• Visit and administer communion for those that are ill or shut-in

Leader/Administrator

•  Uphold expectations set by the Presbytery of Arkansas for a Solo Pastor
• Plan and moderate Session and congregational meetings
• Manage the staff at Presbyterian Kirk of the Hills
• Train newly elected Elders
• Represent the Kirk when interacting with outside organizations and community

SKILLS, PERSONALTIY, AND EXPERIENCE

Educational Preferences:  Must be a graduate of Seminary.  Advance Degree is preferable.  

Age vs. Experience:  Although our congregation is quite senior, we are open to younger candidates.  We prefer at least 2-5 years’ experience as a solo pastor, but that is not cast in concrete.  Our congregation does not have a youth program and that may be an issue with candidates with children at home.  However, we support a very active youth program at a local church.  There are many children in Fairfield Bay. We would welcome a young pastor who was truly interested in our position and would be willing to stay with us at least 5 years, or more. 

Denominational Affiliation:  It is imperative that the Pastor either be in good standing with a PCUSA Presbytery or able to be ordained in good standing with our Presbytery.

POSITION PROFILE

Title of the Position You are Hiring:  Pastor (solo)

Category of Hire:  Solo

  Part Time: Flex Hours

Overall Description of the Position

When ministers of the Word and Sacrament are called as pastors of a congregation, they

are to be responsible for a quality of life and relationships that commends the gospel to all

persons and that communicates its joy and justice. They are responsible for studying,

teaching, and preaching the Word, for celebrating Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and for

praying with and for the congregation.

With the ruling elders, they are to encourage people in the worship and service of God;

to equip and enable them for their tasks within the church and their mission in the

world; to exercise pastoral care, devoting special attention to the poor, the sick, the

troubled, and the dying; to participate in governing responsibilities, including leader-

ship of the congregation in implementing the principles of participation and inclusive-

ness in the decision-making life of the congregation, and its task of reaching out in

concern and service to the life of the human community as a whole. They are to share in

the ministries of compassion, witness, and service. In addition to these pastoral duties, they

are responsible for sharing in the ministry of the church in councils higher than the session

and in ecumenical relationships

 

Personal Characteristics & Leadership Competencies

-Preaching and Worship Leadership: Is a consistently effective preacher and worship

leader; is able to inspire from the pulpit; communicates a clear and consistent message

through sermons that are carefully prepared and artfully delivered; projects the identity

and character of the congregation through worship leadership presence.

 Spiritual Maturity: Shows strong personal depth and spiritual grounding; demonstrates

integrity by walking the talk and by responding with the faithfulness of purpose; is seen

by others as trustworthy and authentic; nurtures a rich spiritual life; seeks the wisdom and

guidance of appropriate mentors; is able to articulate a clear and consistent theology.

 

-Public Communicator: Demonstrates comfortable ease when speaking in a variety of

settings (both small and large groups); is effective at addressing a variety of topics; can

get messages across with the desired effect.

 

-Organizational Agility: Is astute about how congregations and/or organizations work;

knows how to get things done through formal and informal channels; understands the

importance of supporting good policy, practice, and procedure; appreciates the power in

the culture of a congregation; is politically savvy.

 

=Decision Making: Makes effective decisions, balancing analysis, wisdom, experience,

and judgment; is aware of the long-term implications of choices made; is generally

regarded as offering solutions and suggestions that are correct and effective.

 

-Strategy and Vision: Sees ahead clearly, keeping focused on the larger picture; can

anticipate future consequences and trends accurately; is future-oriented; casts a

compelling and inspired vision for a preferred future; sees possibility; crafts breakthrough

strategies.

 

-Collaboration: Has a natural orientation toward getting people to work together; shares

wins and successes; fosters open dialogue; lets people finish and be responsible for their

work; creates strong feelings of belonging among group members; is a good judge of

talent and can accurately assess the strengths and limitations of others.

 

-Interpersonal Engagement: Displays a consistent ability to build solid relationships of

trust and respect inside and outside of the organization; engage people, organizations, and

partners in developing goals, executing plans, and delivering results; use negotiation

skills and adaptability to encourage recognition of joint concerns, collaboration, and to

influence the success of outcomes.

-Motivator: Creates and sustains an organizational culture that permits others to provide

the quality of service essential to high performance. Enables others to acquire the tools

and support they need to perform well, and influences others toward a spirit of service

and meaningful contributions to mission accomplishment.

 

-Flexibility: Adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing

conditions, unexpected obstacles, or ambiguity; remains open to new ideas and

approaches, and works concurrently on related and conflicting priorities without losing

focus or attention.

 Church Information

Overall Long-Term Debt of the Church:  The Kirk is debt free.

Denominational Affiliation and/or Partnerships:  The Presbyterian Kirk of the Hills is an affiliate of the Presbyterian Church in the USA (PCUSA) and more specifically, the Presbytery of Arkansas.

Governance and Polity:  The Kirk is governed using the PCUSA Book of Order.  Our Session is the elected body (7 members) who serve for 3-year terms (limit of 2 consecutive terms).  The Session manages the financial and operational affairs of the Church and the Pastor is responsible to Moderate the Session.  In the PCUSA, the Pastor, who is a Minister of Word and Sacraments, and the ordained/installed Session members are Ruling Elder make up the Session.  In both cases, they take an oath to govern by the PCUSA rules of Polity.  The congregation elects the Session members, the standing nominating committee and the Pastor Nominating committee.  The vast majority of decisions are left to the Session which meets monthly or more often if needed.

History of Presbyterian Kirk of the Hills

 

In 1978 the Presbytery of Arkansas called Rev. Ben L. Collins to become the organizing pastor for the new church development.  Rev. Collins and his  wife Vernie (Holdman) and daughter Alesa (Carlton) moved to Fairfield Bay and purchased a home which was used in many ways for the congregation during the early stages of the church’s life. Worship services were conducted in the Fairfield Bay Civic Center.  In 1979 Fairfield Communities, Inc. donated approximately 4.8 acres of land on Dave Creek Parkway to the Presbytery of Arkansas to build a church. The Charter Roll of the church was held open through December, 1981.  On December 8, 1981 the Presbyterian Kirk of the Hills in Fairfield Bay was organized by commission of the Presbytery of Arkansas with a congregation of approximately 60 members.  The congregation met in a rented house until the main building was completed in 1985.  In 2003 an addition known as the Upper Room was built onto the north side of the main building. In 2009 the building of a fellowship hall and the Master’s Garden (columbarium) were funded by a bequest from Stan Herren.

Presbyterian Women was established from the very beginning of the church and the Kirk Men’s Club was established in 2002.

The Kirk has had four pastors in its 40 year history.  Rev. Ben Collins (1978-1991), Rev. Glen Nagel (1991 – 2000), Rev. Dr. Bob Hadley (2001 – 2017), and Rev. Dr. Steve Frazier (2018-2021). Rev. Hadley returned in May, 2021 as Interim Pastor during the current Pastor search.  In a town with a population of around 2,000, the church grew to approximately 180 members but started decreasing upon Rev. Hadley’s retirement and continued through the COVID pandemic.  It now has approximately 60 members of retirement age and beyond.

Major Ministries in the Church

Congregational Care

The Congregational Care Committee provides ways to connect and build “community” in the church.  The focus is on involvement of members in the life of the church and with each other.  The committee provides a way for the congregation to respond to the short term, real-life needs of individuals and families.  This team is a group of volunteers working together to offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to those in need, visiting the shut ins, hospitalized, ill and morning.  Special treats are assembled and delivered to shut ins and those living alone on special holidays, cards to people with various needs (sickness, death of a loved one, etc.) or with various joys (marriage, births, healing, etc.).  This outreach is usually to people within our church body and the cards will include God’s Word of affirmation, consolation, comfort and encouragement.  Meeting the need of several of our homebound members who would like to attend church on Sundays but have no transportation, need a phone call just to check on them, a card in the mail, a visit or invitation to lunch.

Working with PW Family Ministries, to take food to families of a church member who has been hospitalized for over three days.  After the hospital stay, a home cooked meal is provided to the family when the patient returns home.  In the event of the death of a church member or the spouse or relative living in the home, we provide a casserole and salad to the family.  Congregational Care also works with the PW Reception Teams if the family wishes to have a reception following a funeral or memorial service.  The Committee alerts the PW Moderator by alerting them to any anniversaries or birthdays that are coming up that need a celebration coordinated by the PW Reception Team (written guidelines).  The Congregational Care Committee works with the Pastor and PW Prayer Chain chairman to stay abreast of any Kirk member that might be in need of prayer due to illness or any other cause.

 

Fellowship

The Fellowship Committee is responsible for hosting the Fellowship Hour which is one of the most integral portions of our Sunday worship experience held after worship each week.  The Committee also plans and implements the church picnic, the church Christmas party and coordinates special events.

 

Facilities Maintenance

The Facilities Maintenance Committee oversees the property affairs of the church and advises the Session thereof.  The Committee is intended to be a team that helps determine maintenance, supervising work done by contracted vendors, maintaining parking areas and all facets of the use, maintenance, repairs, modifications, renovations and additions to the property outside of buildings.

Develop long-term goals and objectives that will give the Kirk a focus that spans the year-to-year operations of the church, by prioritizing capital improvements and providing a plan for improving, replacing and maintaining the infrastructure and grounds of the Kirk.

 

Missions

The Missions Committee leads the congregation in extending the care of Christ into a hurting world – in the neighborhood, across the city, nationally and internationally.  It has responsibility to provide funding, from the congregation’s mission giving, to local mission partners and to encourage active participation of Kirk members in volunteer activities.  The committee also does long-range study and planning for development of evolving the Kirk in mission initiatives.

 

Finance & Stewardship

The Finance Committee oversees all church finances in accordance with the mission of the church to ensure that Elders, Minister, staff and key leaders have current and accurate financial information and procedures and to insure the congregation has trust in the financial information, procedures and audits.  Duties include preparing an annual budget, reviewing monthly church financial statements, establishing and reviewing all  policies and procedures for financial statements, establishing and reviewing all policies and procedures for financial accountability and control and arranging the annual audit.  The Finance Committee also makes recommendations concerning appropriate use of funds given to the church in memory of deceased members and keeps track of those who give memorial gifts.

The Stewardship Committee works to expand the understanding of stewardship at the Kirk as a key element of Christian discipleship,  a grateful response to God’s grace and goodness.  The goal is to develop a culture of gratitude and generosity at the Kirk.  The time, talent and finances of the Kirk congregation’s contributions are celebrated and encouraged.  A Stewardship Campaign is developed and implemented each year.

 

Witness/Outreach/Public Relations

The Witness/Outreach/Public Relations Committee is an out outreach and hospitality committee seeking to demonstrate God’s love by creatively promoting the unique programs and special opportunities at the Kirk to members and visitors alike.  The Witness Committee works to create and support various and meaningful opportunities for people at the Kirk and in the community to explore, discuss and develop their understanding of God and faith.  Serving as liaisons of the Kirk to the community, the committee reaches out, invites and engages visitors by publicizing Kirk events and activities, utilizing all forms of marketing and media.  The committee also oversees hospitality initiatives and seeks to provide volunteers, programs and structures to welcome and acclimate visitors to life at the Kirk.  Committee members call, visit and send notes to anyone visiting the Kirk and keeps the Session and Pastor informed of their activities.

Worship

The Worship Leader and Committee works closely with the Pastor and Choir Director to provide the support needed to ensure that all people at the Kirk experience meaningful time and space to join in joyful fellowship with God through Word, Sacraments, contemplation and music.  The committee organizes and coordinates special worship services including Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Christmas Eve Candlelight service.  This includes the oversight of our worship spaces and seeing that all preparations are made for any special or additional worship experiences.  The subcommittees of worship are ushers, liturgists, communion preparers, communion servers, audiovisual team, each with a captain that recruits volunteers to provide a worship service for Kirk members and visitors.  Subcommittees: Church nominating committee, Personnel evaluating committee and Pastor performance evaluation.