Jul 31 2023

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What are the Benefits of serving a 6261 Ministry Community?

Here are just a few of the benefits of serving in a 6261 Ministry Community:

Colleagues to share in the work of the Gospel

Full-time work, salary, and benefits

Built-in support network which allows for an easier time taking vacation, sabbatical, parental leave, etc.

An opportunity to engage in creative ministry and partner congregations to justice work within its community.

GAINING STRENGTH COHORTS

Deacons and pastors serving and interested in serving a 6261 Ministry Community will participate in a Gaining Strength Cohort, facilitated by Rev. Doug Hill.

18-month process

The cohort has 2 in-person retreats per year along with 2 Zoom meetings per year.

Collegial support

Cohort members will learn from one another and build lasting relationships as they embark on this journey.

Tools for organizational transformation

Rev. Doug Hill is a leader in the anchor church model and deeply understands the important of culture for any organization - especially the church community - and will share how to make such transformation happen.

Resources

The cohort receives resources for guiding the 6261 Ministry Community in articulating its core values, mission, and ministry focus.

Pastors

Pastors are ordained to the roster of “Word and Sacrament.”

Pastors preach and teach the Word along with performing the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism. Pastors perform other worship rites such as Confirmation/Affirmation of Baptism, Weddings, and Funerals.

Pastors of 6261 Ministry Communities will be specifically responsible for:

Leading worship, preaching, and providing Holy Communion
Performing baptisms, weddings, and funerals
Coordinating ministry teams and staff to plan worship services – including music, prayers, service setting, liturgical elements, creative opportunities, etc.
Visiting those in the hospital, the homebound, and others who request pastoral care
Praying for the 6261 Ministry Community, its congregations, its surrounding community, and its ministries

Deacons

Deacons are ordained to the roster of “Word and Service.”

Deacons share the Word through preaching and teaching. Deacons are uniquely called to the ministry of service, connecting the Church to the world and reminding all believers of our call to loving service of our neighbors.

Deacons of 6261 Ministry Communities will be specifically responsible for:

Praying for the 6261 Ministry Community, its congregations, its surrounding community, and its ministries
Equipping the 6261 Ministry Community for service embedded within the community
Using their distinct and diverse ministry gifts, as well as their prophetic voice, for encouraging and integrating the primary ministry project of the 6261 Ministry Community
Leading worship, preaching, and setting the table for Holy Communion
Coordinating with ministry teams and raising up leaders for faith in action
Other ministries as determined by the 6261 Ministry Community such as leading Bible studies, small groups, visitation, teaching Confirmation, administration, etc.

Lay Leaders

Lay Ministers are licensed by the Bishop to perform certain duties within specific congregations or 6261 Ministry Communities. These will vary based on the gifts of the lay minister and the needs of the 6261 Ministry Community.

Lay Minister duties may include:

Praying for the 6261 Ministry Community, its congregations, its surrounding community, and its ministries
Preaching
Leading Worship services
Leading Bible studies
Leading and coordinating small groups
Visiting those in the hospital, the homebound, and others who request a visit
Potential for Sacramental authorization

Characteristics

Deacons and pastors serving a 6261 Ministry Community should have several of the following characteristics:

Deacons and pastors serving a 6261 Ministry Community should have several of the following characteristics:

Spiritually grounded and rooted in Scripture
Strong sense of collegiality and willingness to share authority
Supportive of lay ministers, with capacity to mentor and supervise them
Emphasizes and leads ministry in the community, outside church walls
Creative, adaptable, visionary, open to new things; outside-the-box thinker who sees the big picture
Open to feedback and failure; not set back when ideas don’t work perfectly the first try
Humble; willing to experience transformation by the Spirit and in encounters with others
Good time management skills - ability to track schedules, worships, events, needs of the 6
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Experience leading ministry group/site in cultural, structural transformation – or willingness to learn and be coached
Ability to lead, design, coordinate vibrant and authentic worship, including preaching
Demonstrates self-awareness of gifts and limitations and is committed to ongoing growth
Ability to help congregations process conflict, grief, anxiety, and a sense of the unknown

Expectations

The NEPA Synod expects the following of its pastors and deacons serving 6261 Ministry Communities:

The NEPA Synod expects the following of its pastors and deacons serving 6261 Ministry Communities:

Fully and actively participates in the Gaining Strength Cohort, incorporating learnings and utilizing tools to enable cultural transformation of the 6261 Ministry Community.
Works collegially with other members of the 6261 Ministry Community’s staff (pastors, deacons, lay ministers) and leads decision-making with a consensus model amongst staff.
Does not prioritize or favor any one particular congregation of the 6261 Ministry Community and diligently works to develop relationships across all 6 congregations.
In partnership with staff, leads and engages the 6261 Ministry Community to define its ministry vision and embeddedness within the surrounding community for shared ministry.
Serves as a supervisor for lay ministers by accompanying lay ministers on their vocational journey. Provides time for training, discernment, and feedback to lay leaders. Attends LLM program retreats when requested.
Practices self-awareness and continued personal and vocational growth. Willing to take personality assessments, such as the Enneagram, for staff development.
Attends weekly staff meetings and weekly staff coaching sessions.
Attends Synod Assemblies, Bishop's Conferences, First Call Theological Education
Maintains good and appropriate boundaries. Completes Boundary Training at least every 3 years and attends Racial Justice Training at least every 3 years.
Completes continuing education for ongoing leadership and theological development.
Works to integrate technology, where needed and appropriate.
Manages conflict and handles toxic behaviors appropriately.

Rostered Ministers