Snapshot

Denomination: Inter-Denominational

Weekly Attendance:  285

Location: Litchfield Park, AZ

The Role: Senior Pastor

Meet The Church at Litchfield Park:

The avowed purpose of The Church at Litchfield Park is to worship God, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, to celebrate the sacraments, to realize Christian fellowship and unity within this church and the church universal, to render loving and caring service to all mankind, and to strive for righteousness, grace, and peace.

Ground was broken on September 10, 1939, and the church was constructed by the Southwest Cotton Company’s engineering crew. The church walls were built of mud made into adobe bricks from the dirt dug out to create the foundation.

On November 6, the cornerstone of the Church at Litchfield Park was placed, containing a Bible, the church roll of 70 charter members, and copies of the constitution.

Friendly, vibrant, and welcoming are terms often used to describe CLP. Jesus said, "...everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another" (John 13:35). We attempt to live that out with everyone we meet.

About the Senior Pastor:

The Church at Litchfield Park is searching for a Senior Pastor to serve in the total worship life of the congregation while demonstrating a Christ-like spirit, an attitude of cooperation, dependability, and rapport with all members and staff.

The Church at Litchfield Park desires a Senior Pastor of firm faith, effective in planning and leading worship service and able to help people develop their spiritual lives as well as relate their faith to daily living. The pastor must be an effective preacher and speaker with a sense of direction in his/her ministry. 

The pastor must be willing to call personally on members in times of need and crisis, and in order to offer them helpful counsel, be accepting of their divergent backgrounds. The pastor should work effectively with various committees and church officers and encourage others to assume and carry out church leadership roles, including stewardship growth.

The pastor must maintain a strong commitment to the educational ministry of the church and be an active presence in the Christian education programs of the church. The pastor should strive to increase the membership of the church, be active in ecumenical relationships and encourage the church to participate in these activities.

The Senior Pastor's Responsibilities Include: 

Coordinator of Worship and Preaching Ministry

• Coordinates the worship life of the church in conjunction with the worship committee.

• Shapes worship life based on Biblical guidelines, theological insights, and the traditions of mainline Protestantism and awareness of psychological values.

• Preaches in both traditional and contemporary services.

• Maintains high standards of preparation and presentation in preaching.

• Prepares sermons that address the spiritual development of the congregation, incorporating effective language, exposition of Scriptures and illustrations.

Coordinator of Pastoral Care

• Calls regularly on hospitalized members.

• Visits and cares for members of the congregation in need.

• Works with the Associate Pastor and other staff to ensure that shut-ins, hospitalized members and others in need receive regular pastoral contacts.

• Works with the Deacons and other care groups in the congregation to develop strategies in caring for those in need.

• Develops a strategy of getting to know members of the congregation on a personal basis.

Involvement in Educational Ministry

• Works with church staff in planning for the educational life of the congregation.

• Teaches regularly in the life of the church.

Responsibilities of Administrative Leadership

• As head of staff, demonstrates a Christ-like concern for each staff member.

• As head of staff, carries out the policies of the Board of Directors.

• Encourages and leads by example, modeling appreciation, mutual respect, teamwork and trust.

• In conjunction with the personnel committee of the Board, communicates clearly to the staff, what is expected of them and how they will be evaluated. Ordinarily conducts annual reviews of staff members with a designee of the personnel committee.

• Works cooperatively with the Board of Directors in carrying out church programs and goals.

 Involvement in Fellowship Life of the Congregation

• Regularly attends fellowship opportunities in the congregation.

• Plans with appropriate committees increased opportunities for fellowship for the entire congregation.

Responsibilities for Mission

• Works with the mission committee in carrying out programs and goals.

• Supports the mission work of the congregation in congregational communications.

• Helps the mission committee identify new opportunities for mission as well as strengthening historic mission projects.

Participant in Denominational and Ecumenical Affairs

• Participates in the work, program and mission of the denomination to which they belong.

• Supports and participates in the work of the International Council of Community Churches.

Participant in the Life of the Community

• Involved in the local ecumenical and civic community.

• Finds avenues of service in the local and state community.

• Alerts the Board and the congregation about community issues which are important for the church’s life and ministry.

Opportunities for Personal and Professional Growth

• Participates in the annual review and performance evaluation conducted by the  Personnel Chair of the Board, with input from the Board of Directors.

• Develops personal and professional performance goals and objectives.

• Actively pursues opportunities for continuing education.

• Actively pursues a rigorous personal schedule of reading and reflection.

• Leads by example in time set apart each day for quiet, meditation, Bible study, and prayer.

• Seeks a healthy balance between personal and professional life.

What You Bring: 

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Senior Pastor:

Education & Experience

• Ordination, required

• MDiv from an ATS accredited school, 

• 10+ years of ministry experience required

  • 5+ years as Senior or Associate Pastor experience overseeing a midsize staff

• Demonstrated ability to preach sermons focused on Biblical principles and doctrine

• Experience teaching Christian Education classes to various groups

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to serve congregation in pastoral needs (i.e.:  visits to hospitals, shut-ins, counseling, weddings, funerals, memorial services)

• Demonstrated ability to work well with people/groups

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Ability to reach out to people and build fellowship

• Ability to inspire confidence in the congregation and fellow members

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Personal Characteristics & Qualifications

• A strong and unwavering commitment to the mission of The Church at Litchfield Park

• Compassionate

• Caring

• Leader

• Administrator

• Mature

• Emotionally secure

What It's Like to Live in Litchfield Park, AZ: 

Discover how a humble cotton farm transformed into a charming little town where the scent of orange blossoms fills the air and hiking trails are adorned with ancient petroglyphs, all just 20 miles from the heart of central Phoenix. Litchfield Park is a planned residential community boasting a small town atmosphere and casual lifestyle. Litchfield Park is just north of Interstate 10 with easy access to metropolitan Phoenix.

In 1916, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company sent Paul Litchfield, one of their junior executives, to purchase 16,000 acres of land in Arizona to grow the Egyptian long-staple cotton needed to produce their tires. Litchfield ended up falling in love with the area and turned Litchfield Ranch into the headquarters of what would eventually become Goodyear Farms. This colorful origin story led to the rugged yet luxurious experience visitors to Litchfield Park enjoy today.

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