What is the congregation’s or organization’s vision for ministry? Additionally describe how this vision is lived out.
FPC Middlesboro maintains an active worship and Bible study schedule. Members take prayer life seriously and we keep a lengthy prayer list. We are involved as a partner church in the Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM) in Middlesboro and our choir participates in community worship services with other area churches when able. We routinely outreach to students at nearby Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee and through community opportunities such as the annual Middlesboro Christmas parade and the Festival of Trees at Wilderness Road State Park in Virginia. We provide tithes to special offerings as designated by the Presbytery throughout the year.
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How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging needs of your community or constituency?
Our immediate area struggles with poverty, homelessness, unemployment, lack of education and drug abuse. Our congregation maintains a traditional style of worship and is seeking ways to spread God’s message of grace and hope to our neighbors without compromising our worship traditions. We want our ministry to be engaging and approachable, and for our community to see our congregation as a valuable support system in their faith journey.
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How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
FPC Middlesboro seeks a pastor, whether full-time or part-time, that lives in or close to Middlesboro, Kentucky. We need a regular pastoral presence in the community to further spread God’s word and encourage worshippers to visit our church. We are located in the Cumberland Gap region, where Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia meet in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. While we are physically located in Middlesboro, many of our members live in Tennessee and Virginia. There is ample opportunity to spread our ministry throughout this geographic region. With our current regular attendance averaging 20 individuals, most active members of our church wear more than one “hat” on behalf of the church. We seek the guidance and energy of a pastor that can help our congregation reach its ambitious goals. We also seek forward-thinking vision to help us address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by an historic church building that is more than 100 years old.
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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.
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- The person that will serve FPC Middlesboro should be:
- Committed to our mission statement
- Actively involved in the local community
- Recognize the faithful love and Christian commitment held by the members of FPC Middlesboro
- Willing to “think outside of the box”
- Able to develop and implement a plan for congregational growth for FPC Middlesboro
- Able to develop and implement a strategic plan to address the physical needs of our church facility
- Respect the diversity of a congregation that ranges in age from a few years to over 90
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What specific tasks, assignments, and program areas will this person have responsibility?
- The pastor of FPC Middlesboro will be responsible for:
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- leading Sunday worship - 50% of the time, and the remaining 50% to be divided among:
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- moderating monthly worship committee and session meetings
- ministering to homebound and hospitalized members
- pursuing ministry opportunities in conjunction with area churches (Holy Week services, community worship services, homeless outreach, CCM activities)
- providing outreach in the community with the goal of engaging unchurched individuals and families to attend FPC Middlesboro
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Optional Links
https://www.facebook.com/fpc4me
https://www.fpc4me.org
https://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm
https://www.lmunet.edu |