Candidate Profile
Pastor – Living Waters EPC
Wendell, Idaho
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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 Living Waters is a multi-generational church of less 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 will be patient, reliable, and an involved member of the community as a whole.
- The candidate will embrace the lifestyle of living simply.
- The candidate will be 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 Magic Valley area.
- The candidate will be marked with humilty. 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 will exhibit compassion and mercy to the congregation and community.
- The candidate will carry himself with confidence in capabilities.
KNOWLEDGE
- The candidate will possess sound theological training in line with ordination requirements.
- The candidate will possess the experience and insight of being a shepherd for a diverse area and group of people.
- The candidate will understand how to work with independent and often isolated people.
- The ideal candidate would be bi-lingual (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 can train people how 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 will possess 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 Lifeway’s Spiritual Assessment Tools to identify the gift mix.
Mercy – Cheerful acts of compassion characterize those with the gift of mercy. Persons with this gift aid the body by empathizing with hurting members. They keep the body healthy and unified by keeping others aware of the needs within the church (Rom. 12:8).
Teaching – Teaching is instructing members in the truths and doctrines of God’s Word for the purposes of building up, unifying, and maturing the body (1 Cor. 12:28; Rom. 12:7; Eph. 4:11).
Shepherding – The gift of shepherding is manifested in persons who look out for the spiritual welfare of others. Although pastors, like shepherds, do care for members of the church, this gift is not limited to a pastor or staff member (Eph. 4:11).
Evangelism – God gifts his church with evangelists to lead others to Christ effectively and enthusiastically. This gift builds up the body by adding new members to its fellowship (Eph. 4:11)
Exhortation – Possessors of this gift encourage members to be involved in and enthusiastic about the work of the Lord. Members with this gift are good counselors and motivate others to service.
Wisdom – Wisdom is the gift that discerns the work of the Holy Spirit in the body and applies His teachings and actions to the needs of the body (1 Cor. 12:28).
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 will be a good communicator.
- He sees how things connect, then finds people with the right gifting to make it happen.
- He will recognize and cultivate the potential in others.
- He can sense other people’s feelings by imagining himself in others’ lives or situations.
- He will build consensus.
- He will work 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 can adapt if a plan isn’t working the way it was designed.
STORY
The candidate’s life will be marked by relationships and the impact he has on people. He will have several years of experience, with a track record of helping others become their best because of their relationship with God. His merciful nature has been a comfort to those hurting and his optimistic nature has been inspiring to all. He encourages people in healthy ways as he points them towards the grace and truth of the cross.