Description
Assistant/Associate Pastor (Full-time / 40+ hours per week)

Note: Potential transition from Assistant to Associate Pastor after 24 months

Job Purpose
First Presbyterian Church, Opelika (FPO) thrives as it embodies its mission: to multiply & grow disciples of Jesus through Gospel-centered Worship, Gospel-saturated Community, Gospel-shaped Service, & Gospel-motivated Mission. The Asst/Assoc Pastor will carry out the following responsibilities as a shepherd leader of FPO while supporting the Senior Pastor, and relationally implementing FPO’s vision & core values.

Accountability
Reports to Senior Pastor & FPO Session

Responsibilities
Spiritual Formation & Community Life
● Lead in planning, implementing, overseeing, and evaluating a comprehensive program of Spiritual Formation/Christian education for all generations of the FPO family (along with the Pastor of Youth & FPOkids Director).
● Plan, cultivate, and evaluate the organizational structure for formation/education and community life. Examples include Connect Hour, Community Groups, Teacher Leadership Training, etc.
● Lead in the selection, training, and coordination of lay leaders for teaching ministry to adults as well as Community Groups leaders at FPO.
● Prepare and promote content and materials to equip and inform the FPO family in the areas of spiritual formation/education and community life within the FPO family.
● Provide staff oversight and serve as a resource to the Men’s & Women’s ministry teams.

Service & Mission
● Provide vision and leadership for developing a culture of gospel-shaped service within the family of FPO.
● Lead collective envisioning, development, and implementation of an outreach ministry plan for the purpose of equipping and leading the FPO family in gospel-motivated mission.
● Connect members with opportunities to serve within the community of FPO and in the community at large.

Pastoral Care & Leadership
● Assist in identifying and welcoming visitors, as well as equipping other members of FPO to do the same.
● Assist in assimilating new members into the community life of FPO.
● Enjoys preaching and teaching the Word of God (primarily through expository preaching) and administering the Sacraments (the Lord’s Supper & Baptism) as needed.
● Regularly lead congregation in worship (non-musical components of worship service) as assigned by the Senior Pastor.
● Officiate at special services such as weddings, funerals, etc. as needed.
● Assist in the shepherding & visitation ministry of the FPO Elders.
● Pursues continuing education for personal spiritual growth as well as growth in ministry leadership.
● Regularly participate as a member of the Central South Presbytery and General

Assembly of the EPC.
● Perform other pastoral duties as assigned by the Senior Pastor.

Skills/Qualifications
● Must have a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus and seek to cultivate a growing relationship with Him
● Must be male and ordained (or ordainable/seeking ordination) as a Teaching Elder by the EPC as established in the EPC Book of Government.
● Must maintain a healthy relationship with God that exemplifies a disciplined plan of personal & family worship to include: prayer, Bible study and financial giving.
● Must be committed to loving and caring for his family.
● Must be actively involved in the life of the church.
● Must have strong communication skills and ability to interact with a multi-generational church family.
● Must have high personal credibility, with a strong set of values consistent with FPO’s church culture, and commitment to maintain appropriate confidentiality
● Must have a Christ-like attitude and professional demeanor with a sincere desire to help others and to lead and serve on a team.
● Demonstrated administrative skills
● Demonstrated commitment to missions and outreach, advancing the gospel to unreached groups
● Experience developing, coordinating, or leading Christian education and spiritual formation programs

Email EPC PIF form, resume (with references), and cover letter to our Search Team.