Pastor of Park Place Community Church

About Park Place Community Church:

Park Place Community Church was founded in August of 2023 inside the Park Place Assisted Facility in northeast Fort Wayne. The church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and is a satellite campus of St Joe Community Church in Fort Wayne.

The church was planted to meet the spiritual needs of those residing in the facility. Since transitioning into assisted living can often sever ties with a resident's home church, Park Place Church offers opportunities for continuing spiritual growth and vitality throughout an individual's entire life. Our mission is to seek out, stir up and cheer on those nearing the finish line.

About the role:

It is common for churches to have an outreach in which they visit a senior facility for an hour/week, ministering to their residents. This role differs from that in that it involves an investment of 25-30 hours/week of pastoral care, getting to know residents at a deeper level, challenging them to grow in their faith, and helping them connect as a growing body of Christ. Since residents come from various Christian traditions, or have no faith background at all, we believe the Word of God and strive for unity by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) as we proclaim His life-giving gospel.

The Pastor is responsible for offering Biblical spiritual care to all the residents of Park Place. This care involves leading worship services, as well as serving and investing time in their lives. At times, this care may encompass the Park Place staff and/or a resident's family as opportunities arise.

Pastoral Care Responsibilities:

1. Spending time with the residents, serving them, getting to know them, and trying to meet spiritual needs that come to light.

2. Leading activities at Park Place that are designed to connect residents, maintain their spiritual health, and/or challenge them to continue growing in their faith. (These activities currently include a weekly worship service (Sundays @1pm), Bible study (Wednesdays @ 3:30pm) for residents in assisted living, and a weekly worship service in memory care (Wednesday @ 10:30). These activities must always be coordinated with the facility Activity Director(s) and/or senior staff.

3. When appropriate, visiting residents who are hospitalized or rehabbing from an illness or injury.

4. Conducting funeral/memorial services for residents as requested by their families.

5. Recruiting and leading a ministry team of people from outside the facility. This team will assist the pastor in providing spiritual care to the residents, especially in leading worship services and other group activities.

6. Serving as a liaison and support to the Traditions Management senior staff. This currently includes attending one of the daily staff meetings each week.

7. Providing pastoral care to the Park Place staff when asked or as deemed appropriate.

8. Serving as a liaison and support to the Senior Pastor of St Joe Community Church. This includes initiating regular communication with the pastor (and congregation) regarding the health and vitality of Park Place Church.

9. Working with the treasurer and financial secretary of St Joe, the pastor must maintain accurate financial records and compile a monthly financial report, detailing church expenditures. This report shall be made available to the church, ministry team and elder board of St Joe.

Job Qualifications:

1. Member of St. Joe Community Church. Since Park Place Community Church is a satellite campus of St Joe Community Church, the pastor of Park Place must be, or agree to become, a member in good standing of St Joe, adhering to its membership covenant and in agreement with its doctrinal positions. (i.e. – the doctrinal positions of the Southern Baptist Convention)

2. Pastoral heart. Experience in caring for others – especially seniors (and their families) and/or those facing the end of life.

3. Theological training: Graduate of accredited Bible school or seminary is preferred.

4. Church Planting Mindset: Be willing to explore creative ways to sustain the long-term health of the church – including the church's financial health. Since the church doesn't solicit funds from residents, the challenge is to continue trusting God and following His lead to meet the needs of the church.

5. Self-Starting Servant leader – The pastor of Park Place Community Church must not only lead others on the ministry team but also serve as a faithful team member, ministering to the other staff and associates at Park Place.

6. Ability to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values. As a follower of Jesus, the pastor must exude the love of Christ making the gospel attractive to those who might not normally be inclined to listen to it.

7. Ability to network with community clergy who come in to minister to residents.