General Information

Job Title:

Adult English Ministry (AEM) Pastor

Job Description:

The AEM Pastor at Trinity Christian Church of Greater Philadelphia will lovingly and patiently lead and shepherd Christ’s flock (John 21:15-18, 2 Tim 2:24, 4:2) …

  • feeding His sheep through sound, vital preaching of His Word and ministering His sacraments (baptism, Lord’s supper),
  • tending His sheep toward fruitful maturity through encouragement in the gospel (Heb 10:19-25), training in righteousness (1 Tim 4:7-11), and correction and reproof (2 Tim 3:16-17),
  • protecting His sheep through the guarding of Biblical doctrine (Acts 20:20-32, 1 Tim. 1:13-14, 6:20-21), the training of trustworthy leaders (2 Tim 2:2, Titus 1:5-9, 2:1-6), and the exercise of redemptive discipline (1 Cor 5:4-6, 2 Cor 2:5-11),

… with a special emphasis on English-speakers. Under the direction of the Senior Pastor, he will …

  1. Disciple and lead the Adult English Ministry Team (AEMT) and other leaders involved in the AEM
  2. Lead and chart the AEM’s strategic priorities and direction
  3. Partner with other pastors/elders on how to best shepherd the entire church

1. Disciple and set the spiritual tone by example

  • Live and teach the power of the gospel for an individual’s salvation (not just justification but also especially sanctification) and for the church’s vitality and operation. In Christ, grow in mutual trust and vulnerability with other pastoral staff and elders, encouraging one another in fighting sin and supporting one another in ministry.
  • Identify individuals within the AEM with leadership potential. Provide essential ministry training and foster leadership development to equip individuals for ministry (not necessarily in the AEM). Work with the Senior Pastor/pastoral staff to mentor ministers and seminarians.
  • Provide pastoral counseling and individual care, while building the capacity of lay leaders and members to care for one another (see below).

2. Lead and chart AEM’s direction

Under the leadership of the Senior Pastor, help the church develop a culture of meaningful membership in which members mutually edify, care for, and correct one another toward spiritual maturity, evangelistic zeal, and active pursuit of the Great Commission.

In pursuit of this goal, lead and build up key AEM ministries:

  • EM Sunday worship: In partnership with the Youth Ministry (YM) Pastor, oversee the leaders and teams involved in planning the English worship service. As the primary English preacher after the Senior Pastor (depending on his English proficiency), preach in the Spirit, faithfully feeding His flock Christ-centered, expositional preaching in which the words and goal of the scriptural text determines the words and goal of the sermon.
  • Near-term needs: Devise and lead a sustainable strategy for the church to 1) Disciple young families/couples and 2) Care for acute special needs among the AEM, leading and partnering with the AEMT, Caring Deacon and Biblical Counseling team as appropriate.
  • Next-phase strategies: Consider new ministry opportunities, determine their priority, and lead the church to develop the capacities appropriately, including the discipling and outreach to College students, Singles, and Young professionals.

In support of this goal, oversee supplemental AEM ministries:

  • AEM Sunday School: Provide guidance for planning classes, deciding curricula, and selecting and developing teachers.
  • Small group ministry: Provide leadership and strategic direction for the church’s English-speaking small groups, with an emphasis on the development and support of small group leaders and the cultivation of a caring, spiritually nurturing, close-knit community supportive for outreach.

Articulate a Biblical vision for a bicultural (if not multicultural) church and lead English-speaking members to grow in active pursuit of it.

3. Partner to shepherd the entire church

  • Work collaboratively with other pastors and elders to feed, tend, and protect Christ’s flock. Regularly provide ministry updates and share plans with the church leaders.
  • In the absence of a Senior Pastor, ministry staff and elders will partner together to decide how to share leadership for the church’s various congregations/ministries (Chinese Ministry, AEM, YM, Children Ministry).

Position Qualifications:

General 

  • Exhibit the character and personal integrity foundational for an elder (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9).
  • Hold to a Reformed doctrine of salvation
  • Master of Divinity (or equivalent degree)
  • Agree with TCCGP’s confession of faith and code of conduct
  • Accept TCCGP’s Common Confession of Pastors, including acceptance of both infant baptism and believer’s baptism and willingness to ensure the church’s provision of both.
  • Agree with elder-led church governance model and male-only elders 

Specific to this role 

  • At least three years of pastoral ministry experience or equivalent mentorship preferred 
  • Ordained preferred 

Specific to this ministry context 

  • Experience working with Asian Americans and/or immigrants and their families preferred
  • Hold to a Biblical vision for a bicultural (if not multicultural) church

Application Deadline

Job Type:

Full Time

Salary Range:

$55k-$70k

General Information

Church/Organization Name

Trinity Christian Church of Greater Philadelphia

Contact Name & Contact Info

(610) 203-2134
tccgppastorsearch@gmail.com

Industry

Church

Denomination

Non-Denominational

City, State

Havertown, PA

Description of Organization

We seek to steward our Chinese cultural heritage in a way that best glorifies Christ in the proclamation and display of the gospel locally and among the nations.

At a glance:

  • Independent, evangelical, Reformed
  • Located in an upper/middle-class suburb 10-20 minutes west of Philadelphia.
  • Ethnic/immigrant church founded in 2003 from the merger of three smaller Chinese churches.
  • About 300 attendees each Sunday: 190 adults in the Chinese (Mandarin) service; 35 adults and 35 youth in the English service; and 40 children in the children's program.
  • Average age of church adults: 54.1. (40% age 50-59).
  • Most commute from the surrounding suburbs. About 10% live within a 5-mile radius of the church.
  • A dozen regional fellowship groups meet weekly (most Chinese-speaking).

Church government:

The highest governing body currently is the Church Council, whose voting members are current elders and deacons. The Elder Board, composed of lay elders and ordained pastors, generally is expected to exercise strategic leadership while the Deacon Board is expected to exercise management and implementation.

Strengths/Distinctives:

  • Biblical counseling team with CCEF training.
  • Seminarians/members with training from Westminster Theological Seminary, Missio Seminary.
  • Underwent a church health assessment by VitalChurch Ministry in 2022; in the process of working on revitalization.
  • Own our church building (a former synagogue) with no outstanding debt.
  • Walking distance to public transit, accessible to colleges including Villanova University.
  • Recognize and practice both infant and believer’s baptism.
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