Ministry Information Form Query

FPCHHI’s Vision: Every Member in Ministry (based on 1 Corinthians 12:27 and 1 Peter 2:9)

In 2016, FPCHHI began a planning process to discern where God is leading us. We call this Spirit-guided plan The Way Forward. As God leads, we hope to be a more open, inviting and joyful church. A church that is more vibrant and vital as a community and in our participation in the world around us.

In 2020, FPCHHI established a Mission-Based Budget Task Force. The purpose was to examine the elements of our church which contribute to our ministry to the members of our church, to the community and to our role in the world. The Task Force looked at the use of volunteers, the work of the Session and the staff, as well as a ministry driven stewardship. In February 2021, the Task Force recommended to Session that we move from a traditional in-person focus in our worship and education to a focus that includes more outreach, fellowship, and worship and education that is both in-person and online. These recommendations are being implemented.

As we pursue these plans, we prayerfully seek God’s guidance in our Mission of Changing Lives…Making Disciples for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We pray that by honoring and glorifying God through our Mission and Vision the lives that we touch and impact will lead others to God and FPCHHI. We believe we live our faith by loving and serving those in our church, community, and world.

While the composition of our congregation tends toward an older demographic, we are a multi-generational community of faith that is politically as well theologically diverse but united in our commitment to the Lord, blessed with an abundance of experienced, bright, and gifted Christians with discretionary time and financial resources.

We live in a town that is a destination for vacationers, “snowbirds,” and many retirees, as well as service workers and young professionals. We seek opportunities to lead others to Christ and his love for us by attracting, inviting, welcoming, and engaging more visitors, newly retired residents, and especially more families and young people into the body of Christ at FPCHHI.

We are located in South Carolina’s wealthiest county, but one with areas of significant need. Also, some of the adjacent counties are among the poorest in the nation, where schools have woefully inadequate facilities and resources. We are committed to loving and serving these and other neighbors in need.

We are a “Community Church”, perceived by members and non-members alike, as a center of community life and activity, as we have facilities to host large groups such as the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, the Hilton Head Choral Society, and the World Affairs Council. We value opportunities to engage in community activities and events as well as facilitate community conversations about important issues.

The Associate Pastor for Congregational Evangelism and Engagement is a Spirit-led call for a “lover of Jesus” who will help us fulfill our Mission and Vision by equipping and leading us in our outreach and evangelism efforts as follows:

• By developing relationships with relevant community organizations and other churches, providing care and spiritual growth opportunities by identifying and engaging with current and new residents and online “residents,” whether retirees, working adults, singles, families or youth.

• As a lover of Jesus, join us in leading others to Christ, including those not committed to a community of faith. We want to open FPCHHI’s doors as wide as possible, particularly to families, and young people, extending our ministry beyond our doors.

• Being a “co-worker” with our ministers, staff, congregation, and outreach ministries.

Each of these will enable us to fulfill our Mission and Vision by deepening our faith and discipleship in the Lord while extending our outreach, and love of Christ, within our church and into the community.

This person will:

• Be an evangelist for Jesus, leading FPC members to engage with, love, and minister to others, especially those outside our church so that our Mission of Changing Lives and Making disciples can be fulfilled.
• Lead staff, ministry teams, Session, and the remainder of the congregation in developing creative ideas in the areas of communication, technology and giving, utilizing his/her skills in interpersonal engagement, public communication, and media communication in implementing these creative ideas.
• Be culturally proficient, having a solid understanding of the culture, values, norms, and behaviors of various peoples and be able to convince people of various cultures to collaborate and work together to join us in our Mission.
• Be visionary, see the big picture, craft strategies, and have the initiative to step out and take risks to accomplish our Mission.
• Be a passionate and faithful preacher and worship leader.
• And, above all, be hopeful, as our hope is in the Lord.

• Lead the staff, ministry teams, Session and the congregation in FPCHHI’s evangelism efforts, helping FPCHHI connect more people to the Lord and lead more people to join us in our Mission.
• Serve as the Pastoral liaison to and provide leadership for the Local and Global Outreach Ministries and the Social Witness Task Force; support the Giving Ministry and the Communications Ministry as needed.
• Assist in leading worship and administering the sacraments, including preaching eight times each year.
• Support the Adult and Family Ministries by teaching/leading classes on a regular basis.
• Assist in providing congregational care.
• Assist in conducting weddings, services of witness to the resurrection, and committal services, as needed.
• Serve in the Presbytery, on higher governing councils of the PCUSA, and in the Community and larger church.
• Observe a sabbath day or period of time each week and otherwise commit to personal faith development/discipleship, maintaining a balance between professional, personal and family responsibilities.