Part-Time Preaching Pastor at First Church of Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids, MI)

First Church of Grand Rapids  is seeking a Preaching Pastor (16hrs/wk, 35-40 sermons/yr)

The Preaching Pastor helps the congregation encounter and be shaped by our triune God through Sunday worship and the proclamation of God’s Word. The Preaching Pastor will preach sermons that lead to and strengthen disciples of Jesus Christ who walk in step with the Holy Spirit in all areas of life as we communally strive to live out God’s vision for First Church. This position is for 16 hrs / week.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as the primary preacher at First Church, preaching between 35-40 sermons per year.
• Plan weekly worship services, including liturgical elements and song selection, in collaboration with the Worship Coordinator and Executive Pastor.
• Lead the Worship Ministry Team that oversees the overall vision for worship at First Church along with big picture worship planning and implementation.
• Develop a yearly preaching and worship plan that articulates themes or series considering the liturgical seasons and the needs of the congregation.
• Coordinate preaching for the remaining 15-20 worship services utilizing the Executive Pastor for 8-10 and finding a diversity of preachers for the other services whose backgrounds are not represented by the Preaching Pastor and Executive Pastor.
• Support the pastoral care needs of First Church when the Executive Pastor is on vacation or when the congregation has a high volume of needs.
• Offer leadership for funerals in collaboration with the Executive Pastor.

Key Relationships:

• Reports to the Executive Pastor
• Accountable to the Council of First Church, attends full council and elders’ meetings
• Collaborates with the Executive Pastor and Worship Coordinator
• Leads the Worship Ministry Team
• Member of the First Church staff, participating in weekly staff meetings

Qualifications:

• Disciple of Jesus Christ who displays a love for God’s church and ministry.
• Excellent preacher with strong worship planning skills.
• Ability to collaborate with others and lead teams toward shared objectives.
• Affirm Reformed theology and church polity.
• Master of Divinity degree and ordination preferred.

Classification: Salary (0.4FTE, 16hrs/wk), ordained

Compensation: $32,000-37,000/yr + Retirement Contributions  

Applicants: Email your resume and cover letter to [email protected]