What is the congregation’s or organization’s vision for ministry? Additionally describe how this vision is lived out.
Patuxent Presbyterian Church strives to realize our vision statement to build bridges for the Gospel as a biblically based (II Tim. 3:16), welcoming community, honoring Christ as the only way of salvation (Acts 4:12). We are members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and The Fellowship Community. It is not the work of a single person, but rather God working through a body of believers that draws people to Patuxent Presbyterian.
We build bridges on Sundays through:
● A single worship service, blending traditional & contemporary elements
● Sermons that carefully interpret and apply the teachings of the Bible
● Music brought by choir, youth praise band, organ, piano, guitar, handbells & more
● Technology including projection of slides & videos, and livestream
● Youth-led worship services
● Sunday School for children & adults, including a Zoom class reaching multiple states
We build bridges during the week through:
● Honey MacCallum (HMC) preschool, which builds a foundation of faith for life
● Small groups for Bible study, fellowship & service
● Youth group where youth grow, socialize, invite friends, and do service projects
● Congregational Care ministries that meet the spiritual & physical needs of the Body, a loving presence during the joys & sorrows of life
● Prayer ministries providing a powerful connection to God
● Fellowship gatherings that draw us closer
● Annual men’s, women’s & youth retreats to strengthen our faith and deepen our fellowship |
How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging needs of your community or constituency?
Patuxent Presbyterian Church, fondly known as “Pax Pres,” is situated in Southern Maryland on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, an hour and a half south of Washington, D.C. The completion of the Thomas Johnson Bridge in 1977 and the growth of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station have helped the area grow, but it retains a rural atmosphere. The air station employs roughly 2,400 active-duty military and 20,000 civilian contractors and government employees. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, Pax Pres has welcomed 46 new members.
Pax Pres dedicates 10% of our budgeted income to outreach missions. We build bridges locally through VBS, HMC and other local outreach programs. We support and provide volunteers for 20 ministries such as:
● Four local food pantries and soup kitchens
● Wrapping Arms ‘Round Many (WARM), which houses & feeds the homeless in our facility for one week each winter
● Care Net Pregnancy Center
● Habitat for Humanity
We build bridges nationally & internationally in a variety of ways. Members take mission trips to WV and Haiti. Pax Pres is a drop-off center for Operation Christmas Child, collecting 33% of the shoe boxes for St. Mary’s County in 2021. We also support missionaries worldwide:
● Alaska -YoungLife with Club Beyond
● Japan - Leadership Training and Church Planters
● Asia – Campus Crusade for Christ
● Thailand – Youth with a Mission
● Peru – Network of International Christian Schools
● Washington, D.C. – InterVarsity
● Europe – Pioneers |
How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
In the fall of 2021, our church adopted new vision and mission statements, with an emphasis on building bridges for the Gospel. In keeping with our focus on forming and nurturing connections and relationships, our new associate pastor can help to:
● Equip parents to disciple their children
● Engage children and youth in worship
● Expand the ministry to HMC preschool children
● Create opportunities for HMC preschool parents to hear the Gospel message and feel welcomed to Pax Pres
● Establish a mission/service component of youth group
● Link the Pax Pres youth group with youth groups at other local churches
● Support BELONG (Bridging Everyone Linking Older and Newer Generations)--an initiative to plan church-wide activities that bring disciples of all ages together for fellowship and a sense of community (Romans 12:5)
● Minister to the body of Christ at Pax Pres by working collaboratively with our senior pastor and elders
● Initiate and support creative ways to reach children, families, and youth as we build up the next generation of Christ followers |
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 an associate pastor who in close collaboration with the senior pastor and elders, will implement a team-based discipleship and evangelism strategy to build bridges for the Gospel for families, children, and youth at Pax Pres. An associate pastor who also will:
● Rest in God’s providence, be devoted to Jesus and dependent on the Holy Spirit
● Preach and teach as needed with Bible-based sermons
● Love the church and its people, be a trusted advisor and counselor, and build solid relationships of trust and respect within the church
● Be a great communicator and collaborator; support the ministries of the church in working to strengthen the congregation, HMC, and surrounding communities
● Be a good example, be genuine, show spiritual maturity and personal growth, be a lifelong learner, and demonstrate integrity
● Take initiative while also being flexible
● Work with session and others to champion the needs of families, children, and youth across all ministries of the church
● Be able to see the long-term effects of actions and planning; anticipate and weigh implications of decisions made by session and various ministries
● Have a healthy sense of self-worth with a good sense of humor |
What specific tasks, assignments, and program areas will this person have responsibility?
In 2021, Pax Pres hired a Pastor/Head of Staff who has worked diligently to create and execute a new mission and vision statement for the church. We are looking for an associate pastor to support our church’s vision, while focusing on growing connections within the church and community. The responsibilities of the AP will be to:
● Establish an overarching team to integrate and strengthen Pax Pres ministries to families, children, and youth within our church and community
● Preach and lead worship about once a month, and provide pastoral care in collaboration with our senior pastor
● Supervise the directors of youth ministry and HMC Preschool, as well as oversee the volunteer staff of various ministries
● Connect youth with other ministries and missions within the church and surrounding communities
● Together with the senior pastor and session, discern best strategy for ministry to other young demographics (40-and-under) not included in “family, children, and youth” nomenclature; e.g. Pax Pres college students; young adults; young professionals |
Optional Links
Patuxent Presbyterian Church
Website: www.paxpres.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/patuxentpresbyterianchurch
YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/PatuxentPresbyterianChurch
St. Mary’s County Information
https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/
https://commerce.maryland.gov/Documents/ResearchDocument/StMarysBef.pdf
Calvert County Information
https://choosecalvert.com/
https://commerce.maryland.gov/Documents/ResearchDocument/calvertBef.pdf |