The Pastor of Sarasota Community Church should be one who feels called by God to serve and lead Sarasota Community Church in the present and into the future with prayer, humility and dependence on the Lord. The pastor should value a team approach, be prayer-focused and a biblically faithful teacher and preacher who enjoys people and is relational and engaging. This pastor should have the desire to lead Sarasota Community Church as we seek to honor and worship God, share the good news of Jesus Christ, help people grow in their faith and be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us and around the world.

Expectations/Responsibilities

Provide overall vision and strategic planning for the current, short-term, and long-term future direction of the church.
Serve as the primary preacher and biblical teacher responsible for the emphasis, themes, and direction of our worship services, especially the sermon. Delivering biblically-based and Christ-centered sermons is a high priority. In addition, responsibilities would include coordinating a preaching team of other ministerial staff members and guest preachers who would be called upon to preach and teach at various times.
Responsible for all church staff by creating an encouraging, empowering and supportive environment that encourages a team approach to ministry by the staff. This would include giving staff the ability to succeed and maximize the effectiveness of their areas of ministry with your support. Responsible for hiring staff and, when necessary, recommending termination to the Board of Overseers. Responsible for establishing job descriptions and ministry responsibilities and encouraging the discipleship, training, and development of all staff. Lead weekly staff meetings and check in with staff members during the week.
Serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Overseers. This includes attending regularly scheduled (usually monthly) Board of Overseer meetings and regularly giving ministry update reports.
Spend time in prayer and study in preparation for preaching, leadership, and ministry responsibilities.
Serve as a leader by example in personal discipleship, stewardship, evangelism, and a Christ-centered life.

Conduct weddings, celebrations of life, infant dedications, baptisms, and church membership classes.
Develop leaders and volunteers within the church.
Work with the church treasurer, Finance Committee, and Board of Overseers to ensure the financial well-being of the church through the budgeting, planning, and reporting processes.
Build relationships with other community pastors, ministries and community organizations that are consistent with the church's mission and values to work together for Kingdom purposes and build unity.

We are known as a friendly and welcoming congregation. Generosity, both financially and of time, is a huge part of our church. We glorify God, worship the word and share the gospel.

List the top three expectations of the pastor:
1) Exceptional teaching/preaching ability that engages and instructs
2) Relational skills that attract
3) Lead and empower the staff

We have a great facility and great location to reach our community. We are a snowbird church but during the summer season we are still committed to making our church run smoothly and be fiscally responsible. We are located in the heart of Sarasota, just 3 miles from the beach. The median age is 57 ½ years old. The population is 464,223 and seasonally adds 78,900 people. We are a growing area with lots of families. 

-A Bachelor's degree with experience as a lead pastor. A seminary degree or other theological training with a ministerial focus is a plus.
-A clear love for the Lord and the Word of God.
-Be grounded in a sound, working understanding of Anabaptist theology.
-A personal and growing relationship with Christ.
-Able to delegate, empower and encourage others.
-Experience as a leader.
-A completed LMC Form (Credentialing Leadership Information), if you haven't completed this form, time will be given to do so.
-Shared belief in, understanding of and willingness to minister within Sarasota Community Church's statement of faith and adherence to the church bylaws.
-The heart of a shepherd and strong relational qualities.
-Maintain a proper personal life balance between your own spiritual health and development, family and ministry responsibilities.
-A life congruent with the biblical requirements for leaders such as found in 1 Tim. 3:1-3; 2 Tim. 2; Titus 1:5-9 and maintain spiritu