Church Planting Pastor: Forestgate Presbyterian Church

Church Planting Pastor:
Forest gate Presbyterian Church

Position Summary

In general, Forest gate Presbyterian Church (a member of the Rocky Mountain Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America [PCA]) is a church that believes one of the best methods for church growth is to plant new churches. To that end, Forest gate is a member of the Western Church Planting Network (WPCN), and over the past 15 years, has planted two PCA churches in the greater Colorado Springs area.

The church is interested in planting another church in the vicinity of Monument, CO, a town just north of Colorado Springs. Forest gate’s modus operandi for launching a new church is to hire a Church Planter (CP) for Forest gate, and bring him to Forest gate for a two‑to‑three‑year residency as an Assistant Pastor (AP) prior to launching the new church.

During the residency the CP will help the Senior Pastor (SP) and the Session of Forest gate in shepherding the flock toward accomplishing the church’s stated purposes, while at the same time gaining experience in the multitude of functions that occur in a thriving and growing church. The CP will work closely with the SP and Session in leading, evaluating, managing, and refining various areas of responsibility assigned to him as directed by the SP and Session.

In addition, he will work alongside the rest of the staff to complete designated day‑to‑day activities of the church while participating in long‑range planning and program development.

• Preaching:

  Early church plants don’t have much to offer other than the planter’s preaching so the CP must demonstrate preaching skills. The CP is expected to preach at Forest gate at least six times per year as coordinated by the SP. It is important that the CP have additional opportunities to develop and practice his own preaching skills. The CP can expect to preach up to four times per year, or once a quarter, as pulpit supply to develop his skills and fill the needs of other churches within the Presbytery, as long as the CP is not needed for preaching ling pulpit supply opportunities will be approved by the SP, and the Session will be notified of such occurrences.

• Calling:

  Due to the difficult nature of the church planting, the CP (with full agreement in his family) should feel called to church planting. The CP will seek out and take advantage of seminars, conferences, and other meetings which are offered to train and encourage future CPs. Additionally, the CP should attend as many meetings of the WCPN as possible.

• Missional Living & Evangelism:

  Due to the evangelistic nature of church planting, the CP must lead the way in this area and have a track record of fruit in this area. The CP will lead Forest gate efforts in outreach to the unchurched people of the local area and will chair Forest gate’s Engagement Ministry Team, which organizes Forest gate volunteers to accomplish the church’s outreach goals.

• Vision Development:

  Since church planting work starts from the ground up, the CP must be able to create a vision, communicate it, create alignment around it, and put structures in place to support it. While assigned duties at Forest gate will take up the bulk of his weekly schedule, the CP should also devote regular time to prayer and growing in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord.
  
  He is also expected to set aside time to step back from routine daily tasks in order to view the overall ministry of the church and subsequently provide suggestions for the staff and Session to improve and/or expand ministries to meet the evolving needs of the church.

• Conflict Management:

  Due to the nature of planting with new people and no history of clarity of vision, the potential for conflict is much higher in church plants. The CP should have experience in humbly resolving conflict between all sorts of people, and from time to time in the course of regular ministry, he will be tasked with various counseling needs that arise within the congregation.
  
  Experience with church revitalization is highly valued in strengthening churches as they grow together in faithfulness.

• Disciple making and Leadership Development:

  A CP will be responsible for…