Executive Director

PCUSA

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 175

Meet West Side Presbyterian Church

West Side, a neighborhood church that began as a Presbyterian mission branch in 1907, remains committed to the gospel, to West Seattle and to one another. God’s extended faithfulness to us provides the stability to extend the challenge and comfort of the gospel to others. 

Looking around us, we love that our local community is increasingly multiethnic and are committed to reaching and reflecting the diversity of West Seattle. The Executive Director, working in close collaboration with the Senior Pastor, is entrusted with operationalizing our vision to be an intergenerational, multi-ethnic congregation that is passionate about befriending, empowering and launching leaders of gospel movements.

As a congregation that has worshiped God for over a century in this place we have  some enduring characteristics. Here is our love language:

• Love for the gospel – Love for the gospel means love for our community. We are committed to remaining humble, curious and connected to a cultural context that can be proud, loud and polarized.  

• Love for God’s voice in His word – We believe that God, fully revealed in Jesus, speaks through the Bible. We know from experience that Scripture addresses every issue of the age and that the Holy Spirit calls everyone back to faith through these words. We’re committed to listening, with a deep devotion to engaging life’s tough questions with scriptural fidelity and curiosity.

• Love for one another – At West Side we are all about community — moving from strangers to friends, from friends to family. We also believe that God’s family is multiethnic and we are committed to extending our family relationships to reflect the beautiful diversity of West Seattle.

• Love for every generation – West Side has a legacy of investing in every generation, especially in those youth and young adults ages 12-27 who are navigating multiple life transitions. We are committed to a vision of befriending, equipping, and sending leaders of gospel movements.

• Love for our neighbors in West Seattle – most of our congregation lives in West Seattle. The legacy of serving outside our four walls is reflected in our Bless Big Local initiative that challenges members to generosity of money and time invested with local mission partners that are seeking the peace of our city.

• Love for our global neighbors – Each year, 10% of our core income is allocated to Missionaries involved in evangelism, Bible translation, or leadership training. Since 2022 our Bless Big Global initiative has extended this legacy of generous giving to include partner agencies and organizations serving Christ in other nations.

About the Executive Director

Implementing the mission is one of the greatest challenges in any church. West Side is looking for an Executive Director who excels at using all resources to fulfill our mission of making Jesus known in West Seattle and globally. The Executive Director understands, embraces, and is committed to the vision and mission of West Side.

The Executive Director is motivated by the question, “How?” You enjoy collaborating and providing support to the Senior Pastor in her leadership of the congregation’s worship and vision. You excel in developing church leaders and building strong relationships with mission partners. There is a deep sense of fulfillment in creating organizational systems that effectively support those who undertake the mission of the church. This full time position is responsible for aligning leadership teams, systems, partnerships, and resources in faithful stewardship of the mission and strategic vision of the congregation.

You are motivated by the question, “How?”. How do we:

• Equip members, leaders and staff for mission?

• Align financial stewardship with mission and vision?

• Improve, maintain and use our facility to extend the reach of the gospel into our community while supporting the worship and ministry of the core congregation?

• Creatively utilize digital technology in worship, discipleship and evangelism?

• Streamline operations to effectively support the mission?

• Support staff as they serve this congregation?

• Partner effectively for local and global kingdom work?

• Revitalize commitment to global missionaries in alignment with the vision to befriend, equip, and send leaders of gospel movements?

The Executive Director responsibilities include:

Interpersonal Stewardship

• Leadership and equipping of all staff in partnership with the Senior Pastor
• Leadership and equipping pathways for congregational members
• Leadership and equipping of the Deacon Ministry of the congregation

Operational Stewardship

• Leadership of the Stewardship Committees for Finance, Building and Grounds, and Personnel
• Leadership of the Communication, Digital Platforms and Technology teams

Mission & Reach Stewardship

• Leadership and equipping of the teams that work closely with our global and local mission partners
• Leadership and Equipping of teams toward our Reach Initiatives
• Cultivation of our partnerships with West Seattle churches and schools

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Sunday worship and fellowship leadership
• Preaching and worship leadership as invited by the Senior Pastor
• Be a colleague in ministry among your peers and alongside partners in the gospel at other churches in West Seattle
• Energy and enthusiasm for a varied work schedule including periodic late nights, early mornings, or Saturday meetings. Maintain a rhythm of rest and renewal.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Executive Director:

Education and experience

• An Undergraduate degree is required
• M.Div. or other graduate work preferred
• Experience leading and developing teams in a multi-staff ministry setting preferredvel in the local church. 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Proficient in Microsoft applications, familiarity with social media platforms, and curiosity / openness to employing new technology platforms
• Excellent communication skills, both interpersonal and preaching/teaching

Personal characteristics and qualifications

• A mature and compelling relationship with Jesus Christ 
• Personal characteristics that foster the peace, unity, and purity of the church – especially humility, grace, integrity, courage, and humor 
• Excellent communication skills, both interpersonal and preaching/teaching
• Demonstrated experience as a relationship builder in intergenerational community, and in diverse socio-economic and cultural contexts
• Affirmation of the Essential Tenets of the Fellowship of Presbyterians as reliable expositions of the Scriptures in the faith and practice of the church

What it’s like to live in West Seattle, WA

Living in West Seattle, WA, offers a relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere with stunning views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier. The neighborhood has a mix of beautiful parks, like Alki Beach and Lincoln Park, and a laid-back vibe with local shops, cafes, and restaurants. While it feels more suburban, it’s still close to downtown Seattle via ferry or public transit. West Seattle is known for its strong sense of community, family-friendly environment, and access to nature, making it a desirable spot for those looking for a quieter, scenic lifestyle without straying too far from the city. The airport is a quick 30 minutes from multiple points. There is world class medical care, arts, sporting events and a vibrant restaurant scene in Seattle – most within a 15 minute car (or walk on ferry!) ride. Seattle is culturally secular. The latest Pew Research study listed Seattle as the least religious city in America, with the number of “nones” equally those who claim Christian faith.