What is the congregation’s or organization’s vision for ministry? Additionally describe how this vision is lived out.
We focus on faith formation for young and old and live out that faith by pivoting to meet our community’s needs. Our Mission Study gives a list of missions and classes and was influenced by our work with Project Regeneration of the Presbyterian Foundation. EPC has a strong history of mission, exemplified by 20 years of increasing the portion of the mission budget despite a membership decrease. As of 2022, we are a Four for Four congregation – collecting One Great Hour of Sharing, Pentecost, Peace & Global Witness and Christmas Joy. We are honored with the Trinity Habitat for Humanity’s Storehouse Award for over $500,000 in donations.
Since 2013, we have built a partnership with Greenway neighbors in Ft Worth via the 6:8 Project which previously focused on summer lunch programs, holiday parties, school supplies and litter collections. Semi-annually, we hire a shred/recycle company and invite community participation. We mindfully protect creation with building maintenance, upgrades and daily procedures. We built a labyrinth for public use.
With an observable increase in the local unhoused population, we studied the issue and planned activities to welcome and help these children of God. These activities include more community meals and continuing donations of food and volunteer time to NEED and Presbyterian Night Shelter.
As a congregation, we have historically been challenged by our pastor to bring the church outside of our sanctuary – and we are so grateful for it! |
How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging needs of your community or constituency?
We strive to be responsive to community needs, realizing what we don’t always know while seeking God’s guidance for the answers.
When Covid-19 vaccines were available and misinformation was rampant, we added regular vaccine clinics to our partnership with Greenway neighborhood, teaming up with a pharmacy, the nonprofit 6:8 Project, and a local church.
Our recent education focus involved establishing a story path, a Little Free Library, and an intergenerational online book club. Our property is near a walking trail, and we provided interactive displays such as “What has been lost/found during the pandemic?” and an MLK Day memorial for black lives lost.
We did not let damage to our CE wing in the February 2021 freeze stop us from welcoming a new tenant, The Clubhouse for Special Needs. They serve youth ages 12-21 with special needs to increase learning and social interaction. They operated out of our fellowship hall while Covid numbers fell and the other space was repaired.
Past youth mission trips included Missouri, Michigan and even Tijuana, Mexico. Over the years, they evolved to be intergenerational and include studying racial justice in Memphis and St. Louis and various missions locally. This pivot strengthened the congregation’s spiritual well-being and focus on mission, even when the health crisis of our pastor and then the pandemic kept us closer to home.
We find joy when we are able to hear and respond to people with our hands, feet and resources. |
How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
Emmanuel Presbyterian Church is looking for a pastor who will see and understand where we are already doing God’s work. We are a missional church focusing on helping those in need and want a pastor who can lead us into new and under-staffed missions. It is important that our pastor will listen and understand our history and rationale, while helping us find new directions to use our resources. In fact, they should be cheerleaders, leading and supporting the efforts of the members.
We want a pastor who is warm, engaging and helpful in counseling those in need; a pastor who is willing to honor the efforts and talents of members who are in positions of leadership without micromanaging; a pastor who will continue to challenge us to grow in our faith.
We look for a pastor who can preach Sunday sermons that inspire us to discern God’s call and help us prioritize our focus. |
Provide a description of the characteristics needed by the person who is open to being called to this congregation and or organization.
The person called to serve as Pastor of Emmanuel will be a hope-filled encourager who will link arms with our small-but-mighty congregation to help us live out our calling as the body of Christ in Bedford, TX, and beyond. She/he will guide us to focus our ministry on what we do really well, our unique gift to our community. Our pastor will be
- compassionate, caring, and a non-anxious presence
- a good teacher, faith builder, and engaging preacher who challenges the congregation and self to continue to stretch and grow theologically
- authentic, trustworthy, with an infectious passion for ministry
- a vision caster who values the ministry of the people as important as their own
- someone with a healthy sense of humor who doesn’t take herself/himself too seriously
- able to help members to identify, grow, and express their particular gifts
- collaborative and genuinely interested in community engagement
- one who seeks balance in his/her work vs personal life (takes vacation and days off)
- able to maintain healthy boundaries and a strong personal support system
- active themselves in the greater church (presbytery, etc.) and encourages congregational participation
We are ready to meet you and to partner with you to do great things, in the name of Jesus Christ!
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What specific tasks, assignments, and program areas will this person have responsibility?
- moderate session and congregational meetings;
- conduct visitations and home communions;
- offer counseling and make referrals as appropriate;
- provide pastoral care;
- challenge the congregation to grow spiritually;
- help with mission planning;
- manage church staff;
- participate in church activities;
- engage with the community;
- encourage interdenominational activities;
- plan and lead worship;
- coordinate committees;
- train church leaders and nominating committee;
- teach confirmation and new member classes;
- oversee preparations of worship bulletin and newsletter;
- conduct funerals and officiate at weddings for membership
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Optional Links
emmanuelpc.org
emmanuelpc.org/2022MissionStudy
trinityhabitat.org
emmanuelpc.org/HabitatStorehouse
sixeightproject.org
needdfw.org
journeyhome.org
emmanuelpc.org/littlefreelibrary
emmanuelpc.org/bookclub
theclubhouse.org
emmanuelpc.org/MissionPhotos
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