Seeking an Interim Pastor

Qualifications and Experience

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• Denomination: Candidates must be ordained in a recognized Protestant Christian denomination.

• Experience: A minimum of two years of transitional ministry work and three years of pastoral ministry work is required.

• Training: Candidates must have completed training and education in transitional ministry theory and application.

• Preferences: Strong preference will be given to candidates with a desire to work in an interdenominational setting, experience working in multicultural environments, leading groups through change, and working with diverse groups across gender, class, and ages.

 

Compensation and Benefits

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• Salary and Housing: Compensation will begin at $100,000 and is negotiable based on the candidate's experience.

• Health and Pension: The package includes up to $15,000 for health benefits (or an HSA) and negotiable pension benefits. A professional account for reimbursable voucher expenses will also be provided.

• Paid Time Off: The pastor will receive four weeks of vacation, ten days of sick leave, and two weeks of study leave annually.

 

Job Description

 

Goals

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• Review the mission of Union Church and facilitate the development of a revised vision. This will be accomplished through surveys, facilitated gatherings and data collection as developed in collaboration with church leadership. The work of the congregation may include the following:

  • Heritage: Recognizing and naming our history, and finding meaning in it.

  • Mission: Who are we (now)? Who are our neighbors (now)? What is God calling this congregation to do (now)?

  • Connections: Including geographic and technological connections.

  • Leadership: Reviewing the membership needs and its ways of organizing and developing new and effective leadership within the congregation.

  • Future: Naming a possible future for the congregation.

• Prepare Union Church for the calling of a new pastor.

• Function as Head of Staff, supervising church employees (including program staff, music staff, administrative and office staff), and provide organizational oversight for the work of the church.

 

Pastoral Responsibilities

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• Comply with the Union Church of Cupertino Rules of Government and the Personnel Employee Handbook.

• Assist in the process of a congregational self-assessment as noted above and the creation of a church profile.

• Provide advisory services in the search for a permanent pastor. (Please note: The transitional pastor will be expressly excluded from the interviewing or selection process for the permanent pastor.)

• Lead worship services and preach, including the celebration of sacraments as scheduled.

• Partner with the Deacons to care for the church family.

• Officiate at weddings and funerals.

• Attend monthly meetings of the church board and other standing committees as deemed appropriate.

• Provide guidance and resources to lay leaders and committees, and be a resource person for church groups and fellowships.

• Be the public representative of the church at meetings of organizations outside of the church.

 

Qualities 

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• Spiritual and Emotional Maturity: Open, inclusive, respectful, collegial, honest, humble, energetic, pastoral, and spiritual, with high emotional intelligence and perception.

• Gifted Facilitation: Skilled at eliciting energy and new ideas, building coalitions between diverse groups of people, and bringing them together for a greater purpose.

• Diversity and Relational Capacity: Demonstrated cross-cultural competency and the ability to relate to diverse groups across race, gender, immigration status, and sexual orientation.

• Effective Communication: Demonstrated high level of communication skills, including the ability to effectively navigate conflict.

• Strategic Execution: Ability to understand big concepts and work with the details to make those big concepts happen. Willing to try new things, learn from both failure and success, and try again.

• Theological Commitment: Demonstrated commitment to a theology and culture of abundance and pragmatic hope.

• Networking: Well-networked with other leaders and able to bring fresh ideas into the church.