What is the congregation’s or organization’s vision for ministry? Additionally describe how this vision is lived out.
We have chosen to establish a coffee shop where we can build relationships with the community. The coffee shop will provide a venue in which all kinds of people will have an opportunity to get to know us and, perhaps, to build relationships with each other. We believe that it is important to build relationships and gain trust first, while modeling Christ’s love to the community. As we build relationships with people frequenting the coffee shop, we believe that people will come to trust us and feel at home and comfortable in the coffee shop, they will be more willing to come to worship in the same space.
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How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging needs of your community or constituency?
There are a large number of people in Martinsburg who have a substance abuse disorder or mental health issues and those who are in recovery, working themselves out of the prison of substance abuse disorder, be it drugs or alcohol. There are family members who are picking up the broken pieces of families that have been destroyed by drugs and alcohol and/or the deaths that have resulted from them. 29.5% of the residents of the City of Martinsburg live below the Federal poverty line. While we hope to reach the people that we mention in our Mission Statement, we also believe that, even though there will be patrons of the coffee shop who either will be resistant to accepting Jesus Christ or who already are part of a Christian church, we believe that by providing a gathering space for people who have a low income that prevents them from enjoying the restaurants and the future specialty coffee shop that will be opening in the downtown area, we will be working to transform the lives of people in the community in Martinsburg. We will be bringing neighbors together who might never have known each other, helping break the solitude of people who don’t have other alternatives, providing an outlet for people raising young children – either their own children or those of other family members, and others who need to be part of a community.
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How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
The pastor will be a presence in the coffee shop and get to know regular customers. The pastor will get to know the people in the community who are working with people with substance abuse disorder, those in recovery, and the many homeless. He/she will take the initiative to learn about the process of recovery and how we can be supportive of people in recovery – apart from offering them a safe place free from drugs and alcohol.
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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.
- Some experience interacting with people in one of these groups: the poor, those suffering from substance abuse disorder, the homeless, or those in recovery.
- Enthusiastic about, interested in, or open to differing worship styles, and contemporary hymns and other Christian music.
- Willing to emphasize in worship the grace, love, and mercy of our God and the hope that Christ offers to all who believe in Him.
- Regards LBGTQ, Trans, and other disenfranchised people as children of God, made in his image, and welcome as full members of the body of Christ.
- Is willing to go out into the downtown Martinsburg area to get to know the people who live and work there, and to spend time with different leaders in the community, especially those working with people with substance abuse disorders, the homeless, and those in recovery.
- Can preach and teach in a way that the unchurched can understand.
- The candidate does not have to be an ordained PCUSA Teaching Elder.
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What specific tasks, assignments, and program areas will this person have responsibility?
- Conduct a worship service once a week on other than a Sunday morning. Include communion in worship once a month.
- Conduct Bible study once a week.
- Spend time each week getting to know the people who are working with substance abuse disorders, the homeless, and those in poverty.
- Provide pastoral care to the people who frequent the coffee shop and/or attend worship, connecting people with one another and with resources, and advocating for them as needed.
- Spend at least several hours a day in the coffee shop, 5 days a week, helping out the employees when necessary, and being friendly but not intrusive with customers.
- Oversee and, at times create content for, the Website, Facebook page, and other social media and advertising, to ensure that all media and advertising are kept up-to-date, attractive, and informative.
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Optional Links
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