Friends Church midwest

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 100

Meet Lynville Friends Church

Lynnville Friends Church is led by a dedicated team committed to serving the church and community. The staff includes a, youth pastor, administrative assistant, and custodian, each bringing experience and a heart for ministry. The church is also supported by various committees that oversee areas such as Christian education, missions, music, outreach, trustees, and youth ministries. Together, the staff and volunteers work to create a welcoming environment focused on worship, spiritual growth, and serving others.

About the Pastor

The Pastor is a full-time position focused on guiding the congregation through biblical teaching, pastoral care, and relational leadership. The pastor will report directly to the Elder Board and oversee two staff members: the Youth Pastor and the Office Manager.

The Pastor's responsibilities include:

Preaching

• Leading Services: The pastor is in charge of Sunday morning and special services, and is expected to preach approximately 45 Sundays a year.
• Sermon Preparation: A significant portion of the pastor's time (estimated at 50%) will be dedicated to studying and preparing the Sunday service and message.

Pastoral Care and Counseling

• Visitation: The pastor must proactively visit church members and attendees when they are in the hospital. 
• Shut-ins and Elderly: They are expected to make regular calls on shut-ins and the elderly, and attempt to visit community or family members when requested.
• Counseling: The pastor should be available to provide general counseling for anyone in need.
• Pre-marriage Counseling: They are responsible for performing pre-marriage counseling for couples seeking to be married by the pastor.

Leadership and Administration

• Congregational Leadership: The pastor is expected to provide leadership and direction to the Elders, the committees, and the congregation at large.
• Committee Collaboration: They must keep in contact with committee chairpersons (such as the Stewardship committee) regarding church business.
• Staff Oversight: The pastor will act as the direct supervisor for two staff members: the Office Manager and the Youth Pastor.
• Denominational Relations: They will spend a small portion of their time (about 5%) maintaining contact and relationships within the Friends Church Midwest Organization and with local pastors.

Discipleship and Community

• Equipping Leaders: A key responsibility is discipleship—specifically raising up and training new leaders and encouraging volunteerism within the congregation.
• Midweek Involvement: The pastor should be involved in the church's midweek activities and youth programs.
• Modeling Faith: They are expected to live a life with Jesus as their example, acting with humility and compassion, and actively modeling a life of prayer for the congregation.
• Community Engagement: The pastor is expected to engage in community outreach, attend local events (like school sports and Lynnville Days), and build connections outside the church walls.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Pastor:

Education and Experience

• Degree Requirement: The church requires candidates to hold a Bachelor's degree.
• Seminary Not Required: A seminary degree is not required for the role. However, the search committee is completely open to candidates who are straight out of seminary or who hold a ministry degree, as long as they possess some foundational ministry experience and are a good cultural fit for the congregation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Theological Foundation: The pastor must possess a deep understanding of Scripture-based teaching that applies directly to current cultural and life situations. They must view the Scriptures as inspired, infallible, and written by fallible humans inspired by the Holy Spirit.
• Specific Doctrinal Stances: The candidate must hold a traditional, biblical view of marriage and sexuality, defined strictly as a covenant between a biologically born male and female. They must also understand and support the practices of believer's baptism and communion, which are essential to this congregation.
• Denominational Nuance: The pastor must understand the church's unique identity; they are officially part of the Friends Church Midwest Organization, but they are not conscientious objectors, and they operate with a heavily Reformed theological feel.
• Proactive Shepherding: A high capacity for pastoral care. The pastor must be highly proactive in visiting shut-ins, the elderly, and those in the hospital, an area identified as a previous pain point that needs improvement.
• Connecting with Younger Generations: The ability to provide a "youthful presence" to help the church bridge the gap in retaining and attracting young families.
• Vision Casting: The ability to establish a clear vision for the future of the church by the second year of their tenure. By this time, they should also be a highly recognizable figure in the community.
• Courage and Authenticity: The ability to address hard issues without wavering, similar to the highly regarded previous pastor, while maintaining a spirit of humility and compassion.
• Flexibility and Collaboration: The ability to work flexibly alongside the worship team to plan weekly services. They must be open to new ideas, provided they do not conflict with biblical truth.

What it's like to live in Lynnville, IA

Living in Lynnville, Iowa, offers a peaceful small town lifestyle where neighbors know one another and community involvement is an important part of daily life. Residents enjoy a quiet atmosphere, affordable living, and a strong sense of connection through local events, churches, parks, and schools. The town provides the charm of rural living while remaining within a convenient drive of larger communities for shopping, dining, healthcare, and entertainment. With its welcoming environment, family friendly character, and scenic countryside, Lynnville is an appealing place for those seeking a slower pace of life and a close knit community.