Searching for a Minister Now
Stamford Lane United Church, Niagara Falls, Ontario
We at Stamford Lane United are a growing faith community which is inclusive, creative, compassionate, action oriented and accessible to everyone. We are a warm and caring congregation where families feel at home. Our worship services are inspiring storytelling that speaks to our everyday living. Our full-time Minister leads worship in coordination with our Music Director, offering a variety of styles of old and new music. Music is extremely important to worship and building community. We annually meet our M&S goal and have a sustainable local community outreach program supporting those struggling to address food insecurity, domestic violence, mental health and clothing shortages. Coming out of Covid, we are on a path to growth, as demonstrated in January when 21 people joined our church. With the support of a team-oriented Council and congregation, your visionary leadership, liberal theology, joyful outlook on life and enjoyment working with children/youth, will keep us moving forward towards something new within our community of faith and the wider community. Hopefully, you are intrigued by this unique opportunity in Niagara Falls and want to learn much more about Stamford Lane United on ChurchHub. You are encouraged to visit our website https://stamfordlaneunited.ca/ and to connect with our Search Committee at search@stamfordlaneunited.ca
Position Title: Church Minister
Position Profile: Full-time Solo
Position Summary:
The main role of the Minister is leading the congregation in the formation and growth of its Christian character in growing, engaging and being an inclusive church. The Minister is the hub of the church and leads us by examining and delivering diverse ways to worship and serve. Leadership keeps us moving forward towards something new within our community of faith and the wider community.
Autonomy in Decision-Making
Leads and works with the congregation and Council as it is essential to function/operate as a team with the staff (Office Administrator, Music Director, Pianist, Projectionist, Caretaker), with Council Committee Chairs, Treasurer, and the congregation. Decisions that affect the church require the efforts and coordination of the Committee teams to be discussed and approved by Council.
Determines the theme for the sermon and shares plans for worship seasons with the Worship Committee. The Music Director leads music selection in consultation with the Minister. The congregation positively and promptly responds to calls to action to fund special projects (new boiler, renovations, maintaining facility in excellent repair).
Administration 10%
Oversees the day-to-day business of the church and is the main contact for the congregation. Delegates administration to Office Administrator and refers matters such as rentals, property, website, custodial, volunteers to appropriate Committees. Prepares monthly article for digital newsletter, contributes to weekly email that informs congregation of activities. Attends various meetings as required as an Ex-officio member, plans the agenda with Chair of Council for monthly meetings.
The Christian Education Committee is responsible with the Minister for planning the programing. The Minister is involved with concept design of kids’ day and summer camp.
The bulletin, scheduling and administrative support, office bookkeeping is organized and supervised by the Office Administrator.
Community Outreach & Social Justice 10%
Actively participates in coordination with the Mission and Outreach Committee Chair as well as those in the wider community to address the ability to support and strengthen the community. Has a knowledge of partnerships and identity of the diverse culture and needs within the community.
Families feel at home in our church. The Minister and Music Director diligently share the role and the joy in that personal connection. Choirs reach a whole community of families that come together here with a highly trained and dedicated Music Director and Accompanist to provide a safe place, inspiring, inclusive, and joyous experience. The Junior Choirs have a far-reaching community outreach and is meant to stretch out the “arms of the church” to families in the community interested in top quality music education in a church setting (musical worship). The result is a church filled with children every Saturday, singing and learning about what church teaches us and then filling the sanctuary every 4-6 weeks.
The Minister promotes an environmentally friendly church by contributing to, preserving, and protecting creation.
Continuing Education
Develops annual personal, vocational, and professional development goals in conjunction with the Ministry & Personnel Committee. After each 5-year term, the Minister is eligible, supported and strongly encouraged to take a 3-month sabbatical leave as outlined in the United Church of Canada policies.
Denomination & Communities 10%
Actively involved in the life of Horseshoe Falls Regional Council and/or General Council.
Is a welcoming presence when possible, who continues to encourage availability of meeting space for Ukrainian Baptist Church, school board ESL training, AA, Dancing, Transitions, Yoga, and other community activities. Collaborates with respective Committee Chairs in partnership creation and growth. Shares workshop and project information and opportunities offered by the wider church and community.
Faith Formation & Christian Education 15%
Works with the Sunday School Coordinator in conjunction with the Christian Education Committee and Music Director in actively supporting adult and youth education as part of our life-long learning and faith formation such as small groups activities, Bible studies and spiritual practices. The Minister leads the children’s story time during the church services. Some activities like the summer camp, all souls day and special-themed services, plays, movie nights are led by the Minister and/or by volunteers with the Minister involved as appropriate. Adult choir has 25 members and Junior Choirs of 30.
Our active 12 member Bell choir also does Outreach performing in Long Term Care facilities.
Leadership
Fosters and builds relationships and consensus, delegates, and shares leadership, and supports others in sharing their own gifts of ministry. The Minister is a creative, energetic, and inspiring spiritual and worship leader. Provides strong worship and pastoral care. Encourages, guides, and empowers lay leaders and stretches the congregation to grow.
Leadership is one of the greatest strengths of the Minister together with a unified Ministry of lay leadership, teamwork, and action focused Council.
Leads congregation, staff, and Council with care, building trust which is the common goal of building a welcoming and inclusive community.
Depending on the circumstances, situations and opportunities the Minister provides strong leadership and direction to others. The Minister is not afraid to take risks, to try new things and learn through both success and sometimes setbacks…but keeps Council apprised of direction.
Pastoral Care 25%
Coordinates with Committee Chair to ensure spiritual support through visits, calls, email updates, cards, flowers as well as being present in church in community activities. Ministers to the wider community for funerals, weddings, hospital, long term care and senior residential and home pastoral care for those with health issues, grieving, experiencing end of life issues. Supports those in need and assists in making agency referrals as necessary. Honours Veterans.
Self-Care
Sets goals for ongoing self-care by maintaining a healthy balance of physical, emotional, family, and spiritual well-being includes rest, recreation and professional development. Collaborates with the Ministry & Personnel Committee to meet goals. The Minster is supported and encouraged by the Ministry & Personnel Committee and Council to have opportunities for time away, continuing education and sabbatical.
Worship 30%
With liberal theology as the norm, always open for examination and new expressions with an appreciation of the diverse faith of others. Leads the worship service which is carefully planned and prepared together with the Music Director, offering a variety of styles such as secular music that is incorporated into the service. Music is extremely important to worship and building community. The high-quality grand piano is a preferred instrument for worship; our large pipe organ used on select hymns/postludes at least once per service. We welcome all ages of soloists and students to participate in worship.
Worship is inspiring, storytelling, talks to you as a person and relevant to everyday life, always answering the “why should I care about this story”.
Worship is live streamed to Facebook, later uploaded and put on website.
A “Family Service” is planned every 4-6 weeks where the children’s choirs sing group songs/solos and worship that is geared towards young people and families. There is no Sunday school on these Sundays.
The Minister embraces and gets to know the families of the Jr Choir in our greater church community as they are an important part of our music ministry and church community.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The natural ability and storytelling style to connect the Bible to our contemporary lives.
Wonderful, good sense of humour with a joyful outlook on life.
Must have reliable transportation capabilities which meets the needs.
Computer and technology expertise
40 hours per week plus need to respond to unexpected pastoral care and other essential services as required.
Professional experience in pastoral care, palliative/end of life care and personal counselling.
Naturally comfortable and at ease with a full range of ages, personal circumstances, education, income, family structures.
Highly developed communication skills and techniques,
Decision-making and setting priorities in a busy, active environment with diverse faith beliefs and experiences.
