The Context
From the beginning, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church (www.fellowshipmb.org) has been dedicated and committed to fostering and experiencing a sense of fellowship, thus the name. This connectedness and relationality can be observed and experienced in many different settings.
FMBC has been in existence for 21 years and holds affiliation with both the American Baptist Church and National Baptist Church conferences, FMBC at its core is theologically Baptist. Yet, it has embraced a unique governance structure. The congregation is led and overseen by three leadership bodies: the Board of Deacons, the Board of Trustees and the Board of Christian Education. While sometimes cumbersome to navigate, this ‘tri-cameral’ structure creates wonderful opportunity for members to utilize their gifts in leadership and ensures that the congregation is represented in direction-setting and decision-making.
North Minneapolis, where FMBC is located, is a community growing in its diversity, yet predominately African-American it has a unique history, a strong sense of self, and a growing hope and optimism. Yet, within itself there exists a community marked by cultural transition, persistent poverty, ambiguous economic prospects, a devastated housing market, and a languishing educational system. As of late, the tide has begun to shift. New collaborations are emerging, public resources are better focused into the region and groups across sectors are working to revitalize this once strong neighborhood.
The Need
With an annual budget of $1.2m, generous giving and significant participation in leadership and ministry by the members, ‘the engine’ that is FMBC, is well-built and ready to go. Because of a current lack of clarity, identity and direction, FMBC needs the ‘spark plugs tuned’ and ‘new fuel’ to reclaim its identity and fulfil the original mission with a new shared vision, strategic direction and call to action. FMBC is a church with a dream hidden in the hearts and minds of its people waiting to be awakened and sparked. The people are expectant and guardedly hopeful as they prepare for and await the next Senior Pastor. This will require a visionary shepherd/leader that is relationally savvy and able to work collaboratively. This shepherd/leader will capture the hearts and
minds of all ages and inspire the members into a deeper following of Christ and utilization of their talents, time and financial resources for more significant community impact.
The Opportunity
The next Senior Pastor of FMBC will lead the church and its members from the current reality into regained momentum, a new era of deepened discipleship and missional outreach and anywhere else God might lead FMBC. This person will engender trust by walking the talk of the Gospel message, consistently demonstrating a deep relationship with Christ as first and foremost the spiritually strong leader of the congregation. He/She will be able to bring people together, building bridges relationally, listening well and seeking to deeply understand the perspectives and needs of those who call FMBC home. The Senior Pastor will work collegially with leaders, staff and lay ministers getting everyone on the same page and then empower others for mission and ministry.
The Senior Pastor at FMBC is the one who casts the vision, but this is not done in isolation from the input and wisdom of the boards and congregation. They will be able to thrive in a complex culture by being able to hold, sometimes competing priorities, and multiple forces, in balance while seeking to identify the consistent voice. Part of what this means is honoring the traditional elements of FMBC and transforming them into more progressive and fresh expressions.
Qualifications
Meets and satisfies the Biblical mandates as outlined in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 (Women are not excluded)
Significant years of experience leading a congregation of 500 members or more
Masters degree required (preferably a Masters of Divinity from an accredited university or seminary)
Holding current ordination from a Baptist body
If you know someone who would be a good fit for this role, please reply to:
Rick Heltne
Senior Search Consultant-SIMA Minneapolis
rheltne@simainternational.com
Filed under: Vacant Churches
