St. Joseph Island FMC – Lead Pastor Position

Lead Pastor

St. Joseph Island Free Methodist Church

Summary

St. Joseph Island FMC is actively praying for God to lead us to the person He has as the next full-time Lead Pastor of our Biblically focused, theologically faithful, country congregation located on beautiful St.  Joseph Island, about 45 minutes from Sault Ste. Marie, ON.

We are not looking for an executive or a manager, we are seeking a minister who prays fervently (Acts 6:4), preaches Biblically and passionately (Acts 4:29, 31), and visits and personally disciples the people of our congregation (1 Peter 5:1-4). We are seeking a pastor who demonstrates a willingness to grow and adapt the church structure to our ever-changing world situation, all under the unchanging authority of the Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16; Luke 16:17).

We are looking for a person who is following Jesus, who is modeling their life after Jesus, who is being led by the Holy Spirit, who is focused on loving people, and who will be leading, communicating, encouraging, praying, preaching, and teaching in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Church Overview

One of the first Free Methodist Churches in Canada started over 125 years ago, our Church has a strong history of long pastoral tenure (two pastors in the last 28 years), a loyal, involved, and actively serving a congregation with skilled ministry leaders, and strong governance led by the local Official Board, of which the Lead Pastor participates as an ex-officio member.

Our most recent Lead Pastor Adrian Collins was at our church for eleven years until the fall of 2021, and since then our church has been blessed by the leadership and preaching of Pastor Dave Griggs as our  Interim Pastor. Pastor Griggs pastored our church for seven years in the 1980s and was able to come back to serve again before retiring. We have seen positive and significant growth in our church and attendance over the last year. Our church services embrace a blend of contemporary, upbeat worship songs and traditional hymns.

Our local church body has made a clear commitment to the Biblical and traditional definitions of marriage and gender, and while many denominations question the authority and applicability of God’s Word to today’s complex ethical and moral environments, our local body is strongly committed to the inerrancy and authority of the Scripture as written in the  Bible.

Weekly attendance exceeds 100 and continues strongly during the summer months. Our church building is a built-by-faith, modern one-level building with a sanctuary that seats over 270, situated on 50 acres of rural property. A parsonage with detached garage is located across the road from the church building.

Community

Our Church is located in the center of St. Joseph Island, as we say “In the heart of the Island, with the  Island at heart.” The Island is the second largest freshwater island in the world, and is located in Lake  Huron, just 45 minutes east of the city of Sault Ste. Marie. Access to the island is no longer by ferry, but  by a short drive over a toll-free bridge with a spectacular view.

Mission

The mission of the St. Joseph Island Free Methodist Church is to fulfill the Great Commission by making  disciples who worship, pray, care, and serve.

Vision

Because “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall  not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) and because Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each  other as I have loved you” (John 15:12), together we will co-operate with the Holy Spirit creating, in love,  a spiritual, social and physical environment in which people, locally and beyond, can be introduced to the  good news of Jesus Christ and experience the fullness of life* that He has to offer. *(John 10:10)

Ideal Education and Job-Related Experience

•      A Bachelor’s or seminary degree in a related field, including training in Biblical study, interpretation,  and preaching.

•      Four to six years of experience in a related ministry field.

•      Either an ordained minister, or willing to track for ministry within our Church and denomination.

•      The pastor will demonstrate a love for Jesus, a devotion for and submission to His Word, and indicate experience in personal in-home visitation.

•      A Criminal Records Check.

How to Apply

Please send Cover Letter and Resume to davika.fmcic@gmail.com

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be given priority.

This posting will remain open until May 23, 2023.

Each application will be reviewed prayerfully.