Candidate Profile

Pastor

First Presbyterian Church

Dexter, New Mexico

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We design the profile to define who would be a good fit for this position based on seven broad criteria.

The profile assumes the qualifications for a pastor found in 1 Timothy and Titus. Because First Presbyterian Church is a multi-generational church of fewer than 100, the pastor is a generalist and will be required to perform a variety of tasks.

We know, as does the search committee, that there might not be a pastor out there who could check all of the following boxes. If this call intrigues you and you feel that you are lacking in a few areas, then we strongly encourage you to have a conversation with David Zook. He is leading the search.

If there is a skill you lack, let us know. Twelve months of post-placement advanced pastoral training will be provided. Together, we will pick which skills that you would like to refine or develop so that you can get on with the mission of the church.

CHARACTER

  • The candidate is patient, reliable, and an involved member of the community as a whole.
  • The candidate embraces the lifestyle of living simply.
  • The candidate is devoted to his family as his family is devoted to him. It will be a model (albeit an imperfect one) for the families of the Pecos Valley area.
  • The candidate is marked by humility. Even though he is the pastor, he recognizes that he is the first among equals in relation to the elders. 
  • The candidate is willing to let people see him as he is.
  • The candidate exhibits compassion and mercy to the congregation and community. 
  • The candidate carries himself with confidence in his capabilities. 
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KNOWLEDGE

  • The candidate possesses sound theological training in line with ordination requirements.  
  • The candidate possesses the experience and insight of being a shepherd for a diverse area and group of people.
  • The candidate understands how to work with independent and often isolated people.
  • The ideal candidate is bilingual (English, Spanish).

SKILL

  • The candidate possesses the skill to effectively reach out to neighbors and the community.
  • The candidate demonstrates the skill to preach, teach, and apply Scripture.  
  • The candidate knows how to assimilate people into the church. 
  • The candidate knows how to mobilize people based on their gifting, passion, and personality.  
  • The candidate comfortably connects across generations, ethnicities, and socio-economic groups.
  • The candidate trains people to share their faith. 
  • The candidate creates an environment where people grow closer and more sensitive to God.  
  • The candidate develops spiritual and missional leaders.  
  • The candidate demonstrates the ability to effectively communicate (written and verbal) to the congregation. 
  • The candidate is able to minister to parents, teens, and young children.

GIFT MIX

The candidate possesses the gift mix of mercy, exhortation, shepherding, evangelism, wisdom, and teaching.

We would like to emphasize that this is a mix that works together. They are not separated by silos. Some seasons of the life of the church might require shepherding to be emphasized, but you still need to lead and exhort the congregation.

We use our Spiritual Gift Assessment to identify the gift mix. They are listed in alphabetical order.

Evangelism – The ability to effectively communicate the gospel to unbelievers in ways that lead to genuine conversion, discipleship, and incorporation into the body of Christ. It carries a God-given burden for the lost and often equips others to share their faith naturally. It flows from God’s love for us and his commitment to proclaim salvation to the ends of the earth.

Exhortation – The gift of motivating, comforting, challenging, and urging believers toward faithfulness, perseverance, and godly action. It strengthens the weak, restores the fallen, and spurs the body forward in love and good works through timely words, presence, and relational investment. It flows from God’s desire to be with us and for us in our daily lives.

Mercy – A deep, Spirit-given sensitivity to those who are hurting, suffering, marginalized, or in distress, expressed through empathetic care, comfort, and practical help. It reflects God’s
tender mercy and brings healing presence and dignity to the broken.

Shepherding – The gift of caring for, protecting, guiding, feeding, and nurturing the spiritual health and growth of individuals or groups like a shepherd cares for sheep. It involves relational
investment, oversight, correction, and helping people become more like Jesus over time. It
reflects the long road of obedience that God wants us to walk.

Teaching – Born out of the study, meditation, prayer, and memorization of Scripture, it is the capacity to clearly explain, instruct, and apply the truths of Scripture and sound doctrine so that
others understand, internalize, and live them out. It equips believers for maturity, guards
against error, and produces transformed lives. It flows from Spirit-illumined study and
careful handling of the Word. It reflects God’s truth.

Wisdom – Supernatural insight or skillful application of biblical truth and God’s perspective to complex situations, decisions, or problems. It provides divine strategy, clarity, and direction where
human wisdom falls short, often bringing resolution and peace. It reflects God being all-wise
and knowing for our benefit.

PASSION

  • The candidate has a heart for the community and a care for loved ones.  
  • The candidate has a heart for strong families being the cornerstone for the community.
  • The candidate loves God and others with zeal.
  • The candidate has a passion for building the Kingdom through the local church.

PERSONALITY

The candidate is a relationship builder.

  • He is a good communicator.
  • He sees how things connect, then finds people with the right gifting to make it happen.
  • He recognizes and cultivate the potential in others.
  • He senses other people’s feelings by imagining himself in others’ lives or situations.
  • He builds consensus.
  • He works to find ways to include others outside the congregation.
  • He will finds ways to get people to work together for a common goal.
  • He is enthusiastic and optimistic.
  • He enjoys meeting people and building close relationships.
  • He adapts if a plan isn’t working the way it was designed.

STORY

The candidate’s life is marked by relationships and the impact he has on people. He brings several years of experience and a track record of helping others become their best because of their relationship with God. His merciful nature has comforted those who are hurting, and his optimistic nature has inspired others. He encourages people in healthy ways as he points them toward the grace and truth of the cross.

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