What is the congregation’s or organization’s vision for ministry? Additionally describe how this vision is lived out.
In a vacant hotel bar in 1872, Fallston Presbyterian Church (FPC) planted its roots as a community church of believers in Jesus Christ. While rooted in tradition, we seek a pastor with a vision for our congregation to transform us into new ways of being a church. Revitalization will open opportunities to hear God's calling in new and different directions.
We are a small church, mighty in missions. We ARE the hands and feet on the ground using our talents and gifts to support what God has called us to do. We are excited to support many different organizations providing opportunities to our members to share their gifts, money, and experiences.
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How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging needs of your community or constituency?
Fallston is located within Harford County, North of Baltimore, and is a growing suburban area surrounded by farming communities. Minutes from downtown Bel Air, Maryland, Fallston provides easy access to shopping, restaurants, historical sites, and recreational facilities. The Fallston area has an excellent public school system, and housing predominately of single-family homes and townhomes (see additional links).
We are not a “neighborhood” church or a strongly identified PC (USA) church. Our membership comes from greater Harford County and beyond, representing many denominational backgrounds. And while we appreciate and build upon our rich history, we do not inordinately attach our identity with the building, property, or furnishings. Our church is our PEOPLE.
With outreach to our designated missions, we have identified: homelessness, inadequate food, drug addiction and increased family stress (pandemic related). Families are struggling to meet basic needs with the rising cost of necessities. Persons without physical and spiritual support can experience more mental health issues.
Because we are spiritually nourished and moved by the Holy Spirit, we are called to match our gifts with the needs of our church and community. We are aware of the changing attitudes toward the importance of a spiritual life. We strive to spread the Good News of the Gospel in doing HIS work, by leading, and setting an example of compassionate Christian love.
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How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
In this post-Christian society and with “COVID inflicted” changes to our world we have lost membership. We seek a leader with vision, creativity, and spiritual discernment who can recognize and tap into the abilities and gifts of our members, honor our traditions, and thoughtfully introduce new ways to spread the Good News. Our Pastor should lead us forward to new opportunities to grow our membership and meet the needs of our congregation, our community, nation, and world.
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Provide a description of the characteristics needed by the person who is open to being called to this congregation and or organization.
We want a pastor who professes faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and whose strengths are found in “Leadership Competencies” we chose.
Our pastors have found their work environment to be both spiritual and comfortable in a country setting. Our church’s Memorial Garden is a quiet place for reflection, thought and prayer.
We are a church family that lovingly supports each other and deeply values being together for worship, study, and fellowship. If you like working with a congregation that is excited to welcome new members, cares for each other, prays for each other, and goes out of our way for each other - we want you!
We are looking for a pastor who:
- From a strong personal faith, preaches Gospel-based sermons with sincerity, enthusiasm, compassion, inspiration, and hope. We want to feel at the end of the sermon, “Give us more, don’t stop!”
- Focuses on pastoral care, stewardship, missions, and growth
- Works positively with members and staff. Advises and delegates, based on members’ gifts, with energy and a sense of humor
- Builds solid relationships as a friend and a leader. When engaging one-on-one or in a group, we want to feel that we are valued and part of the solution.
- Recognizes who we are now and holds a vision of who we can be as a congregation
- Has good self-esteem and practices self-care
- As an active listener, collaborates, remains calm, and seeks common ground when differing viewpoints prevail
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What specific tasks, assignments, and program areas will this person have responsibility?
Our Pastors have been traditional in their leadership roles and have been willing to use their own special gifts to enhance the worship experience. Our Christian education program will offer you an opportunity to add your experience to the adult class. Our Pre-K director has been operating the school with minimal oversight from the pastor. The session will however need a moderator that can herd cats in a storm.
- Prepare for and lead Sunday worship
- Biblically driven messages providing spiritual guidance for our daily lives.
- Collaborate with Music Director and Worship Committee, to include a variety of contemporary, instrumental, and traditional music.
- Oversight of the staff
- Administrative Assistant
- Music Director
- Pre-K Director
- Participate in Baltimore Presbytery Susquehanna Parish Ministry Group
- Grow our active involvement in mission work
- Encourage and mentor lay member participation/leadership
- In worship
- Bible study/Sunday School
- Lay-led prayer service
- In collaboration with Session and congregation, restart
- VBS
- Children’s Sunday school, led by lay member(s)
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- Expand use of Memorial Garden
- Reach out to younger families
- Grow facility usage
- Participate in
- Church-sponsored activities
- Baptisms
- Weddings
- Hospital/home visits/communion for shut-ins
Our new pastor will collaborate with Session and the congregation to prioritize, and schedule work within the position’s time parameters.
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Optional Links
Visit Harford County
Where To Live
The Ma & Pa Trail
What To Do In Maryland
The Seashore………..The Mountains………Historical Maryland
Fallston Community Pre-K
Found In Faith Furniture Ministry
Harford Family House
Harford Community Action Agency
Welcome One Shelter
Wheels for the World
University of Maryland-Upper Chesapeake Hospital
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