What is the congregation’s or organization’s vision for ministry? Additionally describe how this vision is lived out.
We strive to realize our Vision Statement to be inwardly strong through Christ by being a welcoming community, biblically based (II Tim. 3:16), honoring Christ as the only way of salvation (Acts 4:12). We are members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and part of The Fellowship Community. We have a strong tradition of volunteerism. Over the past 17 months of pastoral vacancy, 14 new members have joined the church. It is not the work of a single person but rather the body of believers with a Christ-like attitude, shining with God’s love, that draws people to PPC.
We grow inwardly strong on Sundays through:
- Two worship services: one casual (piano & guitar) & one traditional (organ, choir & periodic handbells)
- Sermons that carefully interpret and apply the Bible
- Youth Sundays with the Youth Praise Band
- Sunday School for children & adults
We grow inwardly strong during the week through:
- Our Christian pre-school which builds a foundation of faith for life
- Small Groups for Bible Study, fellowship & service
- Youth Group where our youth grow, socialize, invite friends, do service projects
- Congregational Care ministries to meet spiritual & physical needs of the Body, a loving presence during the joys and sorrows of life
- Prayer ministries that provide a powerful connection between us and God
- Fellowship gatherings that draw us close to one another
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How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging needs of your community or constituency?
Southern MD is 1 ½ hours SE of D.C. A scenic peninsula once populated by farmers, with only 57,652 people, it has been transformed over the past 50 years by the Naval Air Station. Now an area of pilots & engineers, the population is 198,000. The base employs 2,000 military & 20,000 civilian & contract personnel. There is a comfortable pace of life, yet with amenities such growth brings.
Our outreach budget is 10% of income. Recently, 17 members took a class on how to actively share their faith, confidently and sensitively (John 14:6). Our members engage in word & deed ministry.
We are outwardly focused locally through VBS, our Preschool and other local outreach programs. We support & provide volunteers for 26 ministries including:
- 4 food pantries
- Soup kitchens, meals prepared by Creative Christian Cooks
- WARM, houses & feeds the homeless in our facility for a week in winter
- Care Net Pregnancy Center
- Habitat for Humanity
- Community groups share our building
We are outwardly focused nationally & internationally. Members take mission trips to WV and Haiti. Pax Pres is a drop-off center for Operation Christmas Child, collecting 19% of the shoeboxes for the county.
We partially support 11 missionaries with whom we stay in touch. They include:
- Church planters- Kazakhstan, the UK, Japan & Thailand
- Campus ministers
- Bible school teachers-Ethiopia
- Young Life staff-Germany
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How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
Building on the Past. Our church is built upon the foundation of faithful members who preceded us.
- Began worship in a theater-1956
- Built a Neighborhood Church-1959
- Opened Preschool -1970’s
- Changed focus from a Neighborhood Church to a Regional Church-1990
- Erected a new facility on a major highway-1995
- Era of growth (from 192 to 534 members)-1995-2011
- Hired a Music Director to develop music program-1996
- Enlarged the building for expanded ministry-2005
- Adopted Vision Statement: Inwardly Strong / Outwardly Focused-2007
- Hired a Small Group Coordinator to strengthen & increase small groups-2009
Building Toward the Future. Our survey interpreter said: “You are a healthy, transformational church. Do not rest on your laurels!” Our survey showed that we would like our new pastor to:
- Inspire the church through preaching & worship
- Provide leadership and work collaboratively with the Session, Deacons, Trustees, staff and our numerous volunteers
- Develop & implement a comprehensive strategy to reach & incorporate new people into the church
- Help us make the necessary changes to attract & nurture young families
- Strengthen the process by which members are called & equipped for ministry & leadership
- Provide more opportunities for spiritual formation
- Equip us to increase our evangelistic emphasis
- Assist in the selection of an Associate Pastor for Youth & Family (position is open to change)
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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 prayerfully seek a pastor with energy, motivation and a loving spirit who will bring a strong Scripture-based faith to our church. Our two most recent lead pastors served for 18 & 22 years. We look forward to our new pastor leading Pax Pres in its next chapter. We would like a pastor who:
- Rests in the providence of the Father, is devoted to Jesus and dependent on the Holy Spirit.
- Has strong preaching skills, delivering Bible-based sermons sprinkled with current illustrations, stories, movie clips, etc. which appeal to younger members.
- Loves the church & is an available advisor & counselor
- Is genuine, a person of integrity, spiritually mature, a good example
- Supports the ministries of the church, encouraging the staff & periodically visiting various ministries, inspiring members to love & serve others
- Has a sense of humor, enjoys people & is approachable
- Demonstrates the ability to communicate across all generations, genders & races within our congregation and our community, including the use of social media to spread the Gospel
- Is a self-starter, highly motivated
- Works collaboratively with all members, empowers others, willing to delegate
- Able to see the long-term effects of actions and planning; anticipates and weighs the future implications of decisions made by Session and the various ministries
- Maintains a good balance between grace & truth
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What specific tasks, assignments, and program areas will this person have responsibility?
We are an established congregation currently served by an Interim Pastor. During this period, we have replaced all the roofs on campus, procured final bids for an expansion of our office area (a project prompted by our growing staff), & successfully negotiated the Covid19 pandemic by initiating online worship, Bible studies and meetings.
We now seek a Pastor/Head of Staff to lead us into God’s future for us. The Lead Pastor will be responsible to:
- Preach, lead worship & administer the sacraments
- Lead a staff of 7 that works collaboratively and equips our many volunteers: An Associate Pastor & Preschool director (both full-time) and a Small Groups Director, Treasurer, Communications Director & 2 Office Managers (all part-time)
- Pray for and encourage the ministry leaders in Worship, Christian Education, Outreach, Congregational Life, Administration, Finance, Trustees and Deacons
- Develop, along with the elders, a vision for the church’s next chapter
- Take an active role in pastoral care in conjunction with the Congregational Care team
- Moderate Session & assist it in moving forward with the Strategic Plan
- Open & participate in the monthly Ministry Meeting
- Provide daily guidance to the Office staff
- Participate in the search for an Associate Pastor
In short, equip us to be Inwardly Strong through Christ/Outwardly Focused for Christ (Eph. 4:11,12).
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Optional Links
www.paxpres.org (links to Pax Pres social media sites may be found on the church website)
Pax Pres Facebook Page
Pax Pres Youth Group
Pax Pres Fellowship in Pictures
The Fellowship Community
Visit St. Mary’s County
Visit Calvert County
St. Mary’s County Facts & Figures
Calvert County Facts & Figures
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