Escazú Christian Fellowship

Transcription

1 Escazú Christian Fellowship The Heart, Hands, and Voice of Jesus Christ in Costa Rica s English-speaking Community Pastor Opportunity Profile S a n J o s é, C o s ta R ic a

2 Escazú Christian Fellowship is an international, interdenominational church called to be the heart, hands and voice of Jesus Christ in Costa Rica s English-speaking community. For more than thirty years we have been gathering for worship, study and fellowship. We meet on Sunday evenings in a rented church space, and throughout the week in fellowship at each other s homes. We are a small church with a big heart, an average attendance of 65, an exciting children s ministry, and broad volunteer participation. Most congregants actively contribute to our community in ways that go beyond attendance and giving. Our community is a home away from home for those seeking Christian fellowship in English. Guided by our vision: A world of travelers safely home we are gifted at quickly integrating newcomers into our fellowship, with a warm welcome, an invitation to participate, and opportunities for fellowship and fun inside and outside of the church walls. We have a solid core of longtime members, but, as an international church, we are as accustomed to saying hello to newcomers as we are to saying goodbye, as community members move away. ECF alumni are scattered around the globe and many maintain their ties. While by God's grace we have been a faithful congregation, as seen in our very welcoming spirit, we sense that we are at an opportune moment to be more dynamically missional as a church. We would love to see our church grow in terms of our membership and our outreach to those around us. Thus, we welcome a pastor who could lead us in developing such a mission perspective and strategy, one characterized by:

3 Living in Costa Rica Websites abound with information about life in Costa Rica. Here are two that are particularly helpful. expats/guide/living-incosta-rica And here is a website that provides details on Costa Rican residency requirements:

4 What You Should Know About Us We are diverse! And our diversity adds richness to our community We come from many different national and ethnic backgrounds, and from a variety of Christian expressions. Our worship services reflect that diversity, and our relationships respect that diversity. Joined around the core of Christianity, we are free at the edges to hold and explore various interpretations of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. We are relationship-based We place a high value on relationships, as a principle expression of our faith: welcoming the stranger, holding one another in prayer, gathering around the table, meeting in small groups, and having fun together. We make people feel welcome and included and we are described as a warm and welcoming place. We participate actively in creating church From the worship experience to small group and children s ministry, ECF is a congregation of people who actively participate in leadership of our church ministry. Most of our attendees, members and non- members, serve each other (the church) in significant ways. We are serious students of the Bible At ECF, we value the diversity of perspectives in our congregation, and seek meaningful exploration of our shared Christian faith through the study of the Bible. We are hungry for spiritual food, and look for ways to deepen our knowledge of the Word, to see familiar texts in new ways, and to explore what it means for our lives. We care about our community We may be strangers in a strange land, but we also want to be good neighbors in the name of Jesus Christ. By sharing our financial gifts, organizational resources, and personal time and talents, ECFers make a dramatic difference in the lives of hundreds of people a year. Nearly 20% of the church s budget goes to our partner ministries in the community.

5 What We Believe and Teach at ECF The covenant which members of this congregation make one with another is as follows: Thankful for God s abundant goodness, and for His great gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we hereby covenant to seek to know and to do His will, and to promote, as far as we can, the interest of Christ s Kingdom. We agree to the following basis of fellowship: We believe the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice for the Christian. We believe in the one, true, eternal God revealed in Scripture as three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. We believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and for our salvation from our lost and sinful condition it is absolutely essential that we be regenerated by the Holy Spirit and confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believe in the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit; who indwells all Christian believers and enables them to grow toward a more Godly Life. We believe that the Holy Spirit unites all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, regardless of denominational affiliation, thus forming the Church universal. The Spirit also gathers the believers together in a local congregation to form a visible manifestation of the body of Christ for the purpose of: (1) the worship of God; (2) the loving care and ministry of mutual concern for each other; (3) instruction; (4) the administration of baptism and the Lord s supper; (5) fellowship; (6) mission; and (7) service to our neighbors and the world. We believe in the resurrection of the living and the dead, judgment of the entire human race, and eternal life for those saved by God s grace. We believe that the kingdom, the power and the glory belong to our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we are created to serve Him as stewards of His creation and to praise his Holy name in this time and for all eternity. Realizing that the success of the church depends upon the consecration of its individual members, we covenant to attend services, to contribute to its support, to labor to maintain its peace and harmony, and as far as possible, in every way to promote its temporal and spiritual welfare.

6 Position Description Pastor The Escazú Christian Fellowship (ECF), the heart, hands, and voice of Jesus Christ in Costa Rica s English-speaking community, has begun an international search for her next pastor a dedicated Christ-follower gifted by the Spirit as a shepherd, preacher, teacher and leader. The pastor of the ECF is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the church and the spiritual development of the ECF community, as well as the coordination and support of volunteers in the joint pursuit of our mission and vision. Qualifications 1. The prospective pastor shall be a gifted communicator who can clearly and persuasively speak to groups of all sizes as well as the diverse array of individuals that make up the membership of ECF. 2. The prospective pastor shall be a flexible, adaptive and collaborative leader who encourages and empowers dedicated volunteers for the advancement of the kingdom. 3. The prospective pastor shall have a hunger and ability to learn. This will include having either completed or working toward completion of a Master s degree. 4. The prospective pastor shall love the Lord with a deep and personal faith. 5. The prospective pastor shall know how to create and sustain relationships through effective engagement with people both within our church community and the wider English-speaking community in Costa Rica. 6. The prospective pastor shall be characterized by emotional health as effective pastoral ministry flows from the healed and stable heart of a person who understands his or her emotions as well as those of others. 7. The prospective pastor shall understand the unique cultural and ministry context of our congregation.

7 Primary Responsibilities: As a general practitioner, the Pastor will enjoy many opportunities to serve Christ and His Church, the first of which is preaching the Word of God. Additional opportunities include: Leading the congregation in pursuit of its mission and in incremental growth, Planning and leading the weekly gatherings of the congregation, Providing pastoral care for the congregation, and Following the prompting of the Spirit as a faithful and diligent servant of the Lord. Typical Tasks: In the fulfillment of his or her responsibilities, the pastor of the ECF typically: Work with the church board to develop a strategy to fulfill the church s mission and vision for the English speaking community in Costa Rica. Prepare and lead weekly worship services, ensuring an effective, well-coordinated and engaging service. Prepare and deliver weekly sermons that support attendees to deepen their understanding of God s word and reflect on personal application. Represents the church at community and outreach events. Teaches, lead retreats, new member classes, confirmation classes as needed. Conduct baptisms, funerals, pre-marital counseling and weddings. Take an active role in church functions, small group and Bible study ministries. Provides coaching and guidance to volunteer ministry leaders within the church Expectations 1. Agreement with the ECF statement of faith, accompanied by a clear, solid Christian point of view which that embraces the historic motto of in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. 2. Master of Divinity or equivalent from an accredited school, international or cross-cultural experience, demonstrated experience with North American and/or European congregations, and a willingness to commitment to, at least, three years of service. 3. Ordination by a Christian denomination or organization, accompanied by pastoral experience. 4. English fluency, both written and spoken (Spanish fluency a plus). 5. Computer literacy, valid driver s license, and eligible to receive residency status in Costa Rica Supervision The Pastor is accountable to the Board. Salary/Benefits Modest but appropriate for the ministry context.