Co-Pastor Role Description
Garden City Church is currently seeking a committed apprentice of Jesus, female or male, who is excited about the idea of being a bi-vocational co-pastor in a growing church.
Garden City is a small church (48 adults and kids) in the downtown Mesa area that was planted a little over 5 years ago. We're made up of men and women who seek to be apprentices of Jesus who care deeply for our neighbors and neighborhoods. While we are non-denominational in name, we borrow practices and theology from the Anglican (Liturgy), Methodist (Theology), and Mennonite (Non-violence) movements.
We meet in mid-week gospel communities for meals, prayer, studying the Scriptures, and the active rhythm of apprenticeship to Jesus. We meet Sunday mornings for exegetical teaching, to encourage one another, and to celebrate the Eucharist. In addition, we embrace the on-going practice of serving the poor and marginalized every 6 weeks as a larger community.
Through co-laboring with the Spirit, we actively cultivate confession, serving the other, and the celebration of our lives lived together. We're uninterested in owning buildings, building a brand, or functioning how much (not all) of the western church does today.
Because of these convictions, we often say: Garden City isn't the church for many but the only church for some.
So, if you’re still reading: Do you want to be a part of a church that:
Believes that shared-leadership is the healthiest, most biblical structure for God’s church? Knows we’re not cool and doesn’t have interest in being cool, but a deep desire to be effectual? Teaches exegetically and provides ways to practice the things “heard” on Sundays? Is seeking to set more tables for the lost than shutting doors to God’s grace? Is serious about the theology and practice of serving the poor and marginalized? Prioritizes patient, active listening to everyone in His church? Has a vision to not “get big” but to plant a church once they’ve grown to 100/120 people? Teaches and lives out that the only one “in charge” in His church is Jesus? Believes that God’s Kingdom light is still breaking in everyday? Believes in blessing our pastors but also believes they should be active in the marketplace? Knows Genesis 3 is a curse text & that mutual co-laboring for men/women is His plan? Seeks to support and equip men and women in their marriages and parenting? Knows it is incomplete and cannot reach its potential without fully utilizing the spiritual gifts of each of its members?
Have you ever wanted to do meaningful ministry, but cut out the empty hours of another mid-week program or 6 meetings that could have been done in 1 meeting? Have you dreamt about having space to love your neighbor in the work place you’re a part of but still have time to teach and serve your church meaningfully? Then keep reading....
Key Responsibilities:
Nurture your relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In partnership with our team, seek to look after and push forward Garden City’s vision and mission to co-labor with the Holy Spirit in introducing the city of Mesa to the person of Jesus.
In partnership with our other pastor, seek to plan and teach exegetical sermons that focus on the text, its meaning, and ultimately leading us to learning to follow Jesus more deeply and faithfully.
In partnership with our people, participate in a mid-week gospel community as the primary way of formation and discipleship in your life.
In partnership with the Spirit and our team, seek to identify how God will use all of your gifts to both minister, serve, and ultimately give away meaningful ministry to others.
Lastly, be an encouraging apprentice of Jesus who seeks to encourage our singles and families on Sundays and throughout the week.
Qualifications:
1. A rhythm of life and character that reflects spiritual maturity, emotional & relational intelligence, humility, and integrity.
2. 5- 10 years of relevant pastoral experience preferred but not required.
3. Some form of biblical training/education. We understand that not everyone is able or chooses to study at the seminary level. But the on-going education of our pastors is important to us. The pastors are the main teachers of the church and so a commitment to biblical hermeneutics, theology and some biblical language study is a priority. With that said, having a Masters of Divinity is not a requirement to apply. Over the years our staff have engaged with some who do not have a traditional educational path and are some of the deepest/wisest thinkers we know. We have also engaged with too many who have accomplished finishing a seminary degree (an amazing accomplishment) but fail to embody the humility or the on-going work ethic that being a teacher of God’s Word requires. We’re interested in a humble learner and someone who studies without the need to be encouraged to study.
4. A reputation of being able to say, “I was wrong, will you forgive me!” We live in a day and age where the foundations of our faith are taught from stages but rarely practiced by too many pastors. We seek a co-pastor who has an understanding and practice of being able to admit they make mistakes, especially to the people who make up our church. Having this practice and ability will serve you well in a biblical community that lives life together.
5. Gifts of teaching, encouragement, and administration (preferred) with additional abilities in worship leading (a plus).
Time/Gifting Commitments:
Commitment of 12-20 hours a week.
-This will include 4 hours on campus for our weekly set up and during our gathering.
-Being a part of a mid-week gospel community.
-Teaching roughly 22-26 times a year (typically every other week).
-Caring for the congregation through calls, texts, and occasional house/hospital visits for prayer.
The rest of your week is yours to work in the marketplace. Our other pastor spends his time producing and engineering records for artists and bands and doing the occasional side job. If you already have a vocation in place, that is great. If you’re new to this idea of bi-vocational ministry, we’re open to dreaming together about what that might look like for you.
Compensation:
Our pastors all make the same amount no matter how long you’ve been in pastoral ministry. We provide a healthy amount of income for you and your family while, schedule wise, giving you space to make your additional needed income in the marketplace.
Monthly Compensation is $2,750 with a $250 health stipend.
If this church community and role interests you, we would love to start a conversation. It’s important to the people of Garden City that you look over our website, 9 values and commitments, and get to know some of our heart & thinking before applying.
If you are still interested, please send your resume with an attached photo, a video of you teaching, and a cover letter explaining why you’re interested in the role to info@gardencityaz.org. If we want to take the next step, we will send a questionnaire and a personality and culture survey and take it from there.
We look forward to speaking with you.