Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church Ponoka

Associate Pastor Position

First Baptist Church, Ponoka AB

Matthew 22:37-40 NIV

[37] Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
[38] This is the first and greatest commandment.
[39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
[40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

General Description:

The Associate Pastor will first and foremost love God, and this love of God will be clearly manifest by his submission to and infilling by the Holy Spirit, visible by the fruit produced.
In general, the Associate Pastor has a defined role within the First Baptist Church Ponoka (outlined in the ‘Job Functions’), working with the Senior Pastor and Elders/Deacons to shepherd/lead the congregation. The Associate Pastor will disciple members and adherents and equip/encourage the FBC Family to do the same. Our church family has a growing number of toddlers and
pre-teens, and there is a need for Christ-filled programming for these children as they enter their ‘youth’ (pre-teen, teen and young adult years).

Psalm 127:3-5 NIV

[3] Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.
[4] Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
[5] Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

Overview of Job Functions:

1.    Youth Ministry – oversight and development of youth programs

a.    Develop an overall vision given the current needs and expected growth of our toddlers/pre-teens.

b.    This would include overseeing the following people/programs: Christian Education, family ministries, other after-school education programs specifically for pre-teens, teens, young adults.

c.     Recruitment/training of congregants connecting with youth for mentorship, discipling, programming, equipping youth for service

d.    Training of youth in service/outreach, encourage youth to live out their faith in the Church/community

e.    Encourage connectedness and accountability for youth and congregants

2.    Families – this area overlaps with the ‘Youth Ministry’ function. Children are under the jurisdiction/sovereignty of ‘family’. As such, families would benefit from encouragement in their walk with Christ as a family unit. This successful applicant’s skills/passions will be considered in shaping this investment in families.

3.    Leadership – active involvement with the Deacons/Elders through attending meetings, equipping FBC leadership in following God in their roles. Participate in FBC Annual General Meetings (two per year, April and November).

4.    Assist in the pastoral duties as required

·         Assist with preaching as needed.

·         Pastoral Counseling for those in need.

·         Assist with special occasions (e.g. weddings, funerals, baptisms,
child dedications, etc.)

·         Visitation as needed.

·         Provide church leadership counsel when Lead Pastor is on holidays.

Basic information:

·         First Baptist Ponoka is part of the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada. The church is over 100 years old. Our 5-year-old sanctuary seats 450, we have an office section, gym and many multipurpose rooms (housed in 3 connected buildings). Since returning from Covid, our average attendance is about 220.

·         The Town of Ponoka is a thriving and welcoming community. It is home to more than 7,500 people, and is centrally located along the Highway 2 corridor, less than an hour south of the Edmonton International Airport; half an hour from Red Deer. Ponoka is a growing community that offers urban amenities and quality living in a picturesque, rural setting. It’s the perfect place to raise a family, to work and do business, and simply enjoy the good things in life. Two significant points of interest are we hold the Ponoka Stampede (one of the top 10 rodeos in the world); and Centennial Center (a large mental health and brain injury hospital).

·         This is a full-time position, approximately 40 hours per week.

·         FBC is seeking someone who has prior ministry experience.

·         This person must be a team player.

·         An overarching expectation is that the Associate Pastor believes in the inerrant Word of God revealed through the Holy Bible, and will uphold Scripture as the foundation for our Church, with an expectation to protect the Church against un-Biblical ideologies.

·         Missional living – through word, deed and character

Other Information:

·         Education: The Canadian Baptists of Western Canada, our denomination recommends that a pastor earn a Master of Divinity or equivalence in ministry experience. Prior to this he/she will be given a License to Preach; after completing an M.Div. he/she can move to the process of Ordination. Specifics can be given through a discussion with the CBWC Regional Minister.

·         Experience: Must have prior involvement working in a Christian ministry setting.

·         Accountability: The Associate Pastor will report to the Lead Pastor. He/she will come under the oversight of the Deacons and Elders of First Baptist Church, Ponoka.

·         Salary, Benefits, Pension Plan: The CBWC has developed a salary grid based on education and years of experience. FBC has agreed to follow this guideline.  The CBWC also has a benefit package that includes such things as medical benefits, pension, etc.

·         Memorandum of Understanding: Each year the pastor will meet with a designated group of board members to discuss that year’s salary package. This will include such things as: Salary, book allowance; educational expenses; spending allowance; holidays; technology needs; etc. Upon agreement both parties will sign this Agreement.

·         Ministry Information Profile (MIP): Because there are so many types of resumes, FBC has chosen to ask all candidates to fill out the CBWC MIP. So if you are wishing to apply for this position please use this standardized profile. (see pdf)

https://cbwc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/MIP-2022-extended-spaces.pdf

·         Cultural and Value Statement: Pastoral staff must sign and agree to the CBWC Identity Statement and Cultural Statement. (Available upon request).

If you are interested in applying for this position, please forward your MIP to the contact information below. For more information, please contact the Associate Pastor Search Committee.

Email – fbc_office@fbcponoka.org

Phone – 403-783-5533

Mail –  First Baptist Church Ponoka, 5109-57 Ave., Ponoka, AB, T4J 1G5

Please submit your MIP by ____May 15, 2023____