Kalona Church (Kalona, IA) – Associate Pastor
THE BIG PICTURE
Kalona Mennonite Church (https://kalonamennonitechurch.com) is seeking a full-time Associate Pastor.
The Church
Kalona Mennonite Church is in Kalona, Iowa, a small town with a population of 2,800, located just 20 minutes south of Iowa City. The church was founded in 1958, as a church plant from East Union Mennonite. The average Sunday attendance hovers around 190, with about half of those high school age and younger. There are multiple youth programs, including elementary, middle and high school youth groups, and a Bible Memory program. This is a family-oriented congregation with a large summer vacation Bible school program. We are very much involved with the local retirement community, Pleasantview, where several of our members reside. We also heavily support Hillcrest Academy, a local private Christian school. Sunday services are in person and streamed online at 9:30 AM, with Sunday school for all ages at 10:45 am. Potlucks are not uncommon. We are prayerfully searching for a pastor who supports our vision and mission statements:
The vision of Kalona Mennonite Church is that we would be a life-giving church, presenting the life-changing message of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to the people of the Kalona area and the world, challenging them to accept Christ, worship Him, and serve Him.
The mission of Kalona Mennonite Church is to fulfill the Great Commission, as stated in Matthew 28:19-20, leading people to Christ, discipling them in the faith, equipping them to witness, and sending them out to serve.
Requirements
Core Competencies & Gifts
● Deeply rooted and firmly grounded in the biblical story and text
● Promote Anabaptist theology
● Hold to the Mennonite Confession of Faith 1995
● Demonstrate a commitment to personal spiritual discipline and growth
● Willingness to seek credentialing/ordination through the EVANA Network
Evana Personal Covenant
Position Responsibilities and Priorities
● Preach approximately 50% of the time
● Assist the lead pastor in planning worship themes and observation of ordinances
● Assist the lead pastor in planning and conducting special services
○ Baptisms, commissionings, dedications, weddings, funerals, etc.
● Work in collaboration with the lead pastor to provide engagement opportunities for all ages and stages in the congregation.
● Work as a team with the lead pastor and the Elders
○ Be a member of the Board of Elders
○ Meet regularly with Elders to discuss pastoral and spiritual concerns of the congregation
● Give support, training, or resources to lay leadership
● Compensation based on the Everence Financial Pastoral Salary Guidelines, along with a comprehensive benefits package.
Other Pastoral Duties
● Work effectively with the lead pastor, church staff, Elders, and other volunteers
● Spend adequate amounts of time in the church office as determined by the lead pastor and the Elders
● Attend Church Council meetings
● Share responsibilities with the lead pastor to serve on other church committees as required
Desirable Abilities and Qualities
● Involved in new membership classes
● Available for Bible studies, retreats, Bible school, conventions, service or mission trips, and social activities
● Be a resource for the music program
● Provide a positive approach to congregation interactions, communications, and decision-making
● Ability to remain focused on the vision of Kalona Mennonite Church
● Post-secondary education in ministry/theology preferred but not required
Connect with Broader Christian Community
● Area pastor cluster meetings
● Mid-Prairie Council of Churches
● EvanaNetwork.org
Associate Pastor Responsible To:
● Lead pastor
● The congregation through the Elders
Benefits
The Process
Please look over this job description and the church website. Along with your resume please answer these questions:
Why do you believe that you might be a good fit as the Associate Pastor at Kalona Mennonite Church?
Describe your experiences in ministry and how you may be qualified to serve as the Associate Pastor at Kalona Mennonite Church?
In just a few sentences please give a summary of your theology and how that is in line with the doctrine of Kalona Mennonite Church?
Please send your resume, the answers to these questions and a link to at least one online sermon to [email protected]
Skills Required
- Rooted in biblical story and text
- Promote Anabaptist theology
- Commitment to personal spiritual discipline and growth
- Willingness to seek credentialing/ordination through the EVANA Network
- Post-secondary education in ministry/theology preferred
What We Do
Lancaster Search is a pastor search firm that assists churches in finding pastors and ministry leaders.
