PASTOR SEARCH

Grace Presbyterian Church 1010 Hogan Lane Conway,

www.gracepresconway.org History of Grace Presbyterian Church 2014 July 13—Met to begin a discernment process regarding the need for a scripture-based evangelical reformed style of worship and Worship at the Four Winds Chapel theology for the Conway community.

September 28—First worship at Four Winds Chapel. 39 WHAT WE BELIEVE: individuals.

October 5—Group voted to form Grace Presbyterian Church  The Bible is the inspired, authoritative, and infallible written Word of God November 9—Congregation voted to submit an application to the ECO  Jesus is God’s only-begotten son and is the Word of God made human November 23—Voted to lease property at 1010 Hogan, Suites 2 and 3  In the birth, crucifixion, death, and December 7—Voted on first Session (five Elders) resurrection of Jesus Christ  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. December 21—First worship at 1010 Hogan Lane. 50 in attendance. No one comes to the Father except

through him 2015:  We are saved not by our works but rather January 12—First Session meeting

by the grace of God through faith in Jesus March 6—Grace Presbyterian was accepted by ECO under the Christ Presbytery of the West. Jim Hays was also accepted by the ECO to be a Commissioned Lay Pastor for the church.  Jesus will come again to judge both the

living and the dead 2017:  All glory belongs to God alone January—Petitioned Presbytery to change status from a church plant to an ECO charted congregation of the Presbytery of Mid-  In the Trinity: God the Father, God the America. Son, and God the Holy Spirit  The Essential Tenets and Confessions of the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians are reasonable expositions of our faith  In the sanctity of all human life  Marriage is a covenant relationship between one man and one woman with God  We must love the Lord our God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds, and love our neighbors as ourselves First Worship at 1010 Hogan  We must go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded Grace Church at a Glance:

 70 members  Average worship attendance: 2015: 50 2016: 53 2017 YTD: 58  Sunday School for adults prior to worship service  Sunday School for children offered during worship service  Wednesday night Bible study  Monthly men’s breakfast with a devotional at a local restaurant  Monthly Presbyterian Women Bible study (Grace Gardens)  15 member choir  5 member Session  6 committees chaired by current Elders: Budget & Finance, Christian Education, Congregational Care, Mission/Evangelism, Property, Worship

2016 Activities for the Mission/Evangelism Committee:

 Adopt-A-Highway  Backpack program  Haiti Educational Fund  Student orientation at one of the three local colleges  Bethlehem House  Donations to Life Choices and Haven House  Angel Tree  Weekly ad in local newspaper  Door hanger project  Extra devotional books are distributed to jails and shelters  Shopping bags with Grace logo are distributed to congregation and others  Festival of the Nativity—An annual charitable event displaying around 100 nativity scenes with a chili supper for the congregation and community. Conway is a thriving city of some 65,000 residents located in the central part of the state. It has a diversity of ages but has a median age of 27.3 years which places Conway as one of the youngest cities in Arkansas. The community has shown steady growth through the years and the infrastructure has kept pace with the increase in population and demand for more city services. The parks system adds to the quality of life and during the past decade emphasis has been placed on athletic fields for youth, walking and bicycle trails, and sidewalks in neighborhoods.

Throughout its history, Conway has been known as the “City of Colleges” boasting of three institutions of higher learning. They are the University of Central Arkansas, , and . Each has earned regional and national recognition for academic excellence and affordability.

Conway is the home of excellent primary and secondary school systems. The public school system is one of the finest in the state. There are two excellent private schools, St. Joseph Catholic School and Conway Christian School.

Conway has become a regional destination for shopping, dining, and medical care. It has a thriving downtown and major shopping centers. There are two major medical centers and numerous other health facilities. The labor market is growing and unemployment is low. Job Description & Duties

Shepherd the congregation in their spiritual life development, leading worship, teach bible classes, and conduct pastoral care through home visits and hospital visits.

Work with the Session and coordinating various committees to fulfill the mission of Grace Presbyterian to build disciples for Jesus Christ and make disciples for Jesus Christ.

Collaborate with the commissioned lay pastor of Grace Presbyterian and share the duties of worship during the transition period.

Lead and provide guidance to grow Grace Presbyterian in the community by strengthening evangelism, help to find church property/building, and organize programs for the needs of the congregation.

Develop church staff, committees, Elder and Deacon boards as the needs of Grace Presbyterian require.

Qualifications:

Affirm Jesus Christ as the head of the church, and his divinity as the Son of Triune God, whose written Word and incarnate being lead, direct, call and challenge us to be his disciples.

Affirm the scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the authoritative Word of God, using these scriptures for the purpose of the Christian life and the Body of Christ.

Minimum of Master of Divinity from an accredited Theological Seminary

Receive, adopt, and be bound by the Essential Tenets of ECO.

Experience in church growth/building would be helpful.

Ordination in the ECO denomination or willing to do so.

Compensation:

This is a full time position with a negotiable compensation package within the guidelines of ECO.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should submit a Statement of Faith and a resume to [email protected]