Ministry Information Form Query

Center United Presbyterian Church of Midway’s (CUP) ministry consists of providing opportunities for fellowship, worship and mission.  Our vision for ministry is that our church will draw in the members of our community, through the delivery of God’s Word, with the congregation serving as living examples.  CUP’s goal is to serve our community in the name of Jesus Christ.

We live our vision through our scripture-based worship that promotes the Message of God. We seek a pastor who is strong in their faith and continues to present the Word of God in a way that is moving and drives people forward within their faith.

The pastor will be called upon to lead the congregation in the following ways to fulfill that vision:

1. Worship: Plan and lead a traditional worship service, guided by the infallible Word of God. 
2. Develop: Provide guidance and encouragement to the congregation, enabling them to develop a deeper faith.
3. Serve: Be the teaching elder and provide care to meet the pastoral needs of the church members as well as members of the community.
4. Connect: Be the communication link within the church and also the link between the church and the community.
5. Provide: Use one’s gifts and skills to enable the church to live out its vision in serving Jesus Christ.

Center United Presbyterian Church of Midway has community outreach through the following channels:

1. Initiate and offer emergency and continuing financial help to needy members and non-members
2. Host Shrove/Pancake Dinner, Steak Dinner and Breakfast with Santa for members of the community at large
3. Provide funeral dinners for the families of our members and community people whose loved ones have died
4. An annual recognition service for local volunteer first responders and fire fighters
5. Sponsor service and fiscal giving opportunities for the congregation
6. Outreach programs for local, Presbytery, Synod, Denominational and other international mission – including the McDonald Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Washington City Mission, MAMA, Pine Springs Christian Summer Camp, Fort Cherry Helping Hands, Souper Bowl Missions, Angel Tree, Domestic Violence, Shoebox Samaritan Purse, Veterans Recognition, Narcotics Anonymous host site
7. Identify and encourage participation in community events

By growing the church and ministering to the needs of the community, this position will play into our vision and goal of leading others to Christ and helping those less fortunate, while expanding our membership 

Center Church is looking for a pastor with strong leadership skills.  A leader who will share the same vision and mission as the church and have the ability to lead the church in this direction.  This ‘leader’ will need to bridge differences, negotiate through stumbling blocks and provide the strategy that the congregation will follow so that the church can continue to develop, both spiritually and financially, and provide further outreach to the community.

The congregation is looking for a Pastor who will serve as a spiritual guide, witness/evangelist and minister of the Word and Sacraments.  The Pastor’s preaching will emphasize the Bible, while providing a timely message to energize and invigorate lay involvement in ministry, as well as build congregational involvement.  The Pastor needs to be outgoing and willing to minister to not just our needs but to the community and especially the youth of the community, while being grounded in the Word of the Lord.  This leader needs to be inclusive and encouraging to all members to further our mission within CUP and Midway and surrounding areas.

Other desired traits of a Pastor include: 

1. one who exhibits deep faith in God and demonstrates that faith
2. a strong view of the authority of Scripture
3. a strong understanding of the Bible and the ability to convey the Word
4. is inspirational from the pulpit
5. good listening and speaking skills
6. an ability to convey that he/she cares about people
7. an ability to build solid relationships of trust and respect
8. the capacity to unite people and mesh ideas toward a common purpose
1. energetic and action oriented
10. an ability to provide counsel and guidance

The Pastor’s main responsibility is to proclaim the Word of God and encourage the spiritual well- being of the members of the congregation.  We need a pastor who can work well in sharing responsibilities with various groups by introducing new ideas and sustaining existing programs.  With guidance of the pastor, the congregation should focus on meeting the needs of the community by reaching out and inviting them into the circle of the church.

1. Center Church’s corporate worship centers around a traditional service that is led by the pastor with strong support from the organist and choir.  Worshippers are welcomed by a member of the Session, Deacons or Trustees.  Children’s sermons are also a part of the worship service.  Members of the congregation volunteer to read the Scripture lesson.  Lenten services are led by our local Ministerium and hosted at all churches in the area.
2. Our Sunday School is a strong base for children beginning at age 3.  We have 2 adult classes, one of which is usually led by the pastor.  Our education wing provides individual classrooms for all ages.
3. Our Youth Group meets once a week for fellowship.
4. Reinstate annual summer Bible School
5. Work with the Session in addressing the church's spiritual and material needs.
6. Visitation of elderly, shut-ins and those unable to attend worship service.