The Opportunity South Lebanon Community Church is seeking a full-time Senior Pastor who is gifted in leadership and preaching. The person will be called to church ministry, loves people, has a passion for evangelism, and corporate worship experience within a multigenerational congregational setting. This person will assume the same responsibilities as the Senior Pastor, including preaching on Sunday, and helping to carry out the mission and vision of SLCC. After an intentional transition period the new Senior Pastor would lead through the retirement of the current Senior Pastor and assume the role and all responsibilities.. The Church Established on January 1, 2019, SLCC has roots that stretch back more than 100 years. Born out of the Midway Church of the Brethren in 1902, from part of the Tulpehocken Congregation starting with 195 members. The Midway Congregation alternated meetings at the Bucher Meeting House on Scheaffer Road and the Midway Meeting House, both in South Lebanon, and was a part of the Church of the Brethren. Later, the congregation expanded the Midway Meeting House at the current location of 13 Evergreen Road. This building was subsequently enlarged with a sanctuary in 1951, Sunday School classrooms in 1987 and 1995, and the addition of a Family Life Center in 2001 that was enlarged in 2013 to facilitate worship services. The church has seen many changes and much growth; yet, the goal to be faithful to God’s Word and obedient to the call to make disciples has been constant. In 1963, L. John Weaver became the first pastor, succeeded by Hartman Rice in 1980; Jack Harpold in 1983; and Charles Ilyes in 2005. The Community The City of Lebanon is located in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania, also known as the “Keystone State.” This nickname was earned due to the essential role it played in the founding of the United States. The term “keystone” comes from architecture and refers to the central, wedge-shaped stone in an arch, which holds all the other stones in place. The City of Lebanon is strategically located almost equidistant from Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Reading. Lebanon is accessible from the south via the Pennsylvania Turnpike and from the north by both I-81 and I-78 and is located nearby one of the most exciting attractions in the state, Hershey Park, originally created by Milton S. Hershey as leisure grounds for employees of Hershey's Chocolate Factory. Today, the family theme park welcomes guests from around the world to experience Hershey Park Happy all year long! Lebanon has been recognized as the second least stressful city in the United States. The survey conducted by Sperling’s BestPlaces.net found the area which includes Harrisburg and Carlisle to score well in the areas of low crime, low divorce rates, short average commute times and low unemployment. The strong work ethic and skilled workers have brought one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. The combination of factors has earned Lebanon the second place title as second least stressful city in the nation. One fact remains the same: Lebanon City is a wonderful place to live, visit, and raise a family. The Candidate The successful candidate will have a strong background in preaching, visionary leadership, ministry development, team building, discipleship and spiritual formation strategies with proven success in implementing these strategies. The candidate will have a proven track record of leadership, organizational development and effective communication. They must have strong people skills and a driving passion to reach people far from God and help them grow deeper in their faith. The candidate must embrace the ability to work within a community and promote innovation through collaboration. In addition, the individual will show an ability to connect across generations. Experience in a medium to large church setting (500+) and supervisory experience in a multi-staff setting is preferred.
Above all, the man must have a passion for God himself – dedicated to knowing Him and loving Him with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Goals and Expectations
South Lebanon Community Church has been intentional in developing a succession plan as our current Senior Pastor transitions into retirement. The new Senior Pastor will need the heart, desire, patience, and steadfastness to move diligently through this season of transition and growth. The effective Senior Pastor will achieve the following goals:
Transitional Leadership
The intended purpose and outcome of this position is to become the new Senior Pastor of South Lebanon Community Church.
Serve on the Elder Ministry Team.
Build relationships with the body of Christ: through Elder leadership, small group participation, discipling, counseling, visitation, and engaging the church in various forums.
Bring creative and innovative leadership to lead through various weekly meetings as assigned alongside the current Senior Pastor until the transition is complete.
Biblical Preaching
Provide Biblical Preaching: includes responsibility for Sunday morning worship service and teaching in other classes as appropriate.
Develop sermons that will connect into the overall strategy of the church, provide life application that results in a transformed life, and will challenge and inspire both the saved and unsaved in their daily walk with Jesus.
Provide Vision & Oversight
Vision and planning: Lead staff in continued implementation of the vision of the church and lead the body in living it through both words and actions.
Serving on the SLCC Elder Ministry Team as the leader among leaders.
Developing a ministry strategy that makes the church effective at its core function of making disciples
Expanding the ministry of SLCC in the Lebanon area and beyond.
Leading and developing staff: Oversee pastoral staff and work with them to ensure proper encouragement, support, and growth both personally and in ministry.
Provide the congregation with visionary leadership as we make plans to build our new facility.
Personal Characteristics
Excellent character, meeting the qualifications for elder outlined in scripture (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
A man with a deep love of the Lord who is notably controlled by the Holy Spirit.
A strong visionary leader of leaders with deep convictions to uphold God’s Word in the life of His church, standing firmly on the truth (unshakeable), ability to preach/teach from a Biblical worldview.
Heart for the Bible, a good expositor of the Bible, excellent sound preaching, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, Biblical sermons that challenge the congregation, emphasize the Gospel and produce life change.
Man of prayer, a prayer warrior, who waits to hear God’s voice, and know His will.
A man with a deep love for people – a good communicator who is a relationship builder, a compassionate leader, encouraging and discipling others.
One who can cast vision and boldly state and show the way in which God is calling us to go, strong staff leadership in implementing the vision.
Self-starter who is not afraid to fail, one who does not avoid the tough issues.
Able to find ways to engage SLCC in broader Kingdom work outside of our body, grow community engagement and outreach.
Emotional and social intelligence.
Gifts of shepherding, preaching and teaching to lead a spiritually healthy church in making disciples.
Powerfully worships Him in spirit and in truth, with adoring awe and astonishing wonder.
Theology and culture chemistry that is a fit with South Lebanon Community Church.
Adaptable and flexible to effectively relate and communicate to individuals of very different cultures, ethnicities, economic statuses, and worldviews.
Education B.A. degree with Pastoral/Ministry Leadership or equivalent education is preferred but not required. Interested? The Aaron Hur Group has partnered with South Lebanon Community Church to find a talented leader who feels called to serve in this next season. To become a candidate, please apply here.