With the upcoming (summer 2024) retirement of our current pastor, we, the congregation of Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church in Spring Run, Pennsylvania, are seeking a full-time Senior Pastor to be a servant leader of our congregation and to lead us as we continue to live out our mission to be and make mature disciples of Jesus Christ. Candidates must possess a mature, personal, loving, and joyful relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

All candidates must agree with all the Essential Tenets of ECO: A Covenant Order
of Evangelical Presbyterians (Essential Tenets available here) and be ordained or ordainable in ECO (ordination information available here). Candidates must also embrace our mission, vision, core values, and bylaws. Additionally, candidates must respect traditions while knowing freedom exists to introduce unique and new opportunities to follow the Holy Spirit’s call to implement our mission, vision, and core values.

General Responsibilities Include:

I. Preaching God’s Word, Teaching God’s Word, and Directing Public Worship
II. Coordinate, Lead, and Provide Discipleship, Leadership, and Administration
III. Provide Pastoral Care

Actions needed to successfully fulfill these general responsibilities include
(but are not limited to):

I. Preach God’s Word, Teach God’s Word, and Direct Public Worship

A. Preach God’s Word
– Devote sufficient time to personal devotion, learning, and prayer to be sensitive to
the Holy Spirit’s leading for sermon preparation
– Preach sermons grounded in Biblical truth, always leaning on the Word of God as
absolute truth
– Strive to make God’s Word relevant to people’s lives through truth, passion, clarity,
connection, and engagement

B. Teach God’s Word
– Provide discipleship by teaching Biblical truths and valuing authentic relationships
through a variety of settings such as small group classes, covenant partner classes,
grief share classes, at special events, etc.

C. Direct Public Worship
– Plan and direct regular, special, and community worship opportunities
– Coordinate scripture, prayer, and music (both traditional and contemporary) into
worship in a way that is meaningfully connected to the sermon series/message
– Involve the congregation in opportunities to serve during worship (greeters, acolyte,
lay reader, prayer, special music, etc.)
– Have a willingness to reach homebound worshippers via our YouTube livestream
capabilities with the support of our Tech Team

II. Coordinate, Lead, and Provide Discipleship, Leadership, and Administration

A. Discipleship
– Committed to personal discipleship beyond sermon preparation
– Coordinate small group discipleship opportunities that lead to ever-deepening
personal faith for individuals and for the church as a collective whole
– Equip covenant partners and attenders for the work of leading discipleship within
the church through mentoring, programming, and education

B. Leadership and Administration
– Partner with the Elders, Deacons, Trustees, and staff members to provide spiritual
leadership and oversight together discerning God’s Will on how to accomplish the
ministry and mission of our church
– Daily monitoring and upkeep of the church to maintain facilities, coordinating of
minor repairs and projects, and working with the Trustees for major items

III. Provide Pastoral Care

A. General
– Model agape love, God-honoring character, personal integrity, and faith
– Build meaningful relationships with staff, covenant partners, attenders, the
homebound, the community, and our children by being approachable, authentic,
and a humble listener
– Represent UPVPC to ECO, the Path Valley Ministerium, the community, and the
world

B. Sacraments
– Administer the sacraments of communion and baptism with reverent love

C. Congregational Care
– Provide pastoral care to include (but not limited to): prayer, visitation, crisis care,
counseling, officiating at weddings, baptisms, and memorial services as requested

Please see the link below to view our complete church profile to learn more about our church family and the senior pastor position.

https://eco-pres.org/wp-content/uploads/job-manager-uploads/application/UPVPC-Church-and-Senior-Pastor-Profile-7.17.2023-1.pdf

All applicants are asked to email the following to [email protected] in order to be
considered:

– Letter of Introduction highlighting interest, experience, and strengths, and including a
statement of faith
– Current resume with specific educational degrees, job experiences with dates, and contact information for at least 3 references
– Links to at least 3-5 sermons in video format (at least 1 video must be a full-length
service)

Website

upvpc.org