Ministry Information Form Query

This is a dynamic and exciting time for the congregations of Concord and Homer!  Jesus Christ and His Good News compels us in the midst of the pandemic to find new ways to make strong connections within our congregations and within our communities!  We seek a pastor who will be instrumental in supporting and, at times, coordinating these efforts.  Both churches offer a women’s group; the Homer church also has a men’s group which meets monthly for a Saturday breakfast and devotional time.  Both congregations are involved with their community’s thrift stores and food banks.  Both congregations offer free funeral dinner services to anyone in need, including non-members.  The Concord congregation is blessed with several nurse practitioners and other medical professionals and offers several health programs at the church as well as the local school.  Both congregations have a love for music in worship; the Concord church recently purchased a new grand piano, and the Homer church has many musical groups open to all; a choral choir, a bell choir, and a brass group.  Both churches also have a love for good food-based fellowship.  The Concord church has an annual Mardi Gras celebration dinner and both Homer and Concord have a fall harvest supper open to the public. Both congregations seek to provide God’s love and compassion to all those they reach through these programs.

Both churches are seeking ways to reach beyond the church's physical walls and be more visible in the community as we live out our mission.  Currently, each church has several ways we serve and work with our communities. The Homer church  serves monthly free dinners, provides a safe place for trick or treating, hosts high school concerts and various other community group meetings in our building. Both Concord and Homer have participated in community-wide worship events. Both congregations give financial support to local projects such as the Concord “Food for Thought” program and Homer library’s summer reading project for children.  The Homer congregation also works closely with programs for school-age kids, such as the backpack program and Cub Scouts.  Our interim work has shown us that we need to work on ways to let the community know more about us and all the great things that are going on with both churches! 
In 2021, the Homer church introduced a free concert series for the community called "Music on the Lawn."  This program will return in 2022 with funding from the Homer Community Foundation.

We are hoping to have someone who is open to sharing in our enthusiasm and energy and help lend spiritual leadership to our work!  We seek someone who can help us build upon the work we’ve already done for God’s Kingdom, and continue to challenge us and push us to greater heights.  Specifically, we'd like to have leadership in living out our mission of living by faith, being known by love, and being a voice of hope to our community.  The Homer church has started incorporating technology into the work of the church, and we’d love to have someone who could take our Facebook page and our live streaming to the next level to help us connect with as many people as possible.  The Concord church is also expanding on its technology use, with an active Facebook page as well as live-streamed services.  An engaging pastor will effectively connect scripture to the "real world" and help both congregations continue to grow in our spirituality and walk with God.  Facebook offers both congregations a way to connect with people around the world, and we'd welcome leadership to help us better leverage this resource.

For Homer:

1. Lives a faith-driven life

2. Social--we seek a pastor who is able to easily interact with all members of our community

3. Supportive

4. Creative

5. Has a “rural heart”---can love small-town life, but will enjoy the opportunities provided by the three major univesities within an hour's drive!

6. Willingness to share ideas!

7. Can delegate/use resources

8. Someone who respects/appreciates talents

For Concord:

1. Authenticiy

2. Good communication skills

3. Compassionate

4. Good listener

5. Prioritizes pastoral care

6. Good business skills
   
    

Please refer to the answers provided on the Homer MIF!