Teaching Pastor (Full-Time) - Forefront Church | NYC, NY

Teaching Pastor (Full-Time) - Forefront Church | NYC, NY

Teaching Pastor Job Description

JobDescription

The Teaching Pastor will serve on Forefront’s Executive Council, sharing responsibility for overall management and decision-making at the church in accordance with our vision and values. The Executive Council meets regularly on developing, fulfilling and maintaining our church’s standard operating procedures by consensus of all its members. The scope of work shared by all members includes (but is not limited to) developing vision, mission, and strategy for the church, including sermon series and topics; fundraising and overseeing budgets; planning and organizing church-wide events and activities, in-person and virtual; managing staff members; and meeting regularly with the Leadership Team. Executive Council Members are expected to be physically present for most Sundays services of the year. Executive Council Members are also expected to ensure a regular portion of their weekly schedule overlaps with other Executive Council Members and staff to meet, collaborate and decide on matters before the church.

Within the Executive Council, the Teaching Pastor will focus on two primary areas:

Serving the community through teaching, spiritual direction, and pastoral care, and leading the church's fundraising and stewardship efforts to ensure financial sustainability and growth in alignment with our vision, mission, and values.

The Teaching Pastor will focus on coordinating the professional and spiritual development of our in-house preaching team and coordinating anti-racist and other progressive and inclusive training opportunities for the staff and congregants. The Teaching Pastor is responsible for allowing the congregation to thrive by elevating lay leaders, supporting newcomers, and monitoring congregational engagement while also cultivating the relationships and resources needed to fund our mission.

Teacher

In collaboration with the Executive Council, plan Forefront’s sermon series and messaging schedule, including any supplemental content, that promotes a just and generous progressive Christian theology in accordance with our vision and values.

Preach at Sunday service regularly (approximately 2x each month).

Coordinate volunteers who will participate on stage for the liturgy during Sunday service (i.e., reading, prayer, announcements, offering, etc.).

Lead our flagship Preaching Bootcamp program and provide our Preaching Team with coaching and pastoral support.

Plan and organize suggested programming and curricula for small groups; organize workshops and series around bible study, anti-racism work, progressive Christian theology, and other issues relevant to the lived experiences and needs of our community.

In collaboration with the Executive Council and the congregation at large, foster outreach and external partnerships, including inviting others to speak at Forefront. This is part of Forefront’s shared vision and partnership with like-minded churches and faith communities.

Create opportunities to share our values on a larger scale. This includes creating opportunities for Preaching Bootcamp graduates to speak at other churches and venues; creating opportunities for activism and organizing to build a more just and generous city; and supporting the development of communications and digital content in collaboration with other staff and volunteers.

Stewardship & Institutional Developments

Collaborate with the Executive Council to develop and implement an annual fundraising strategy and meet regularly with high-level donors and funders.

Identify grant opportunities and ensure the preparation and completion of all grant applications and other sources of outside funding.

Consult with the Executive Council and the Leadership Team on best practices and strategies for fundraising and revenue generation in support of our vision, mission and values.

Pastor

Ongoing pastoral care primarily in the form of one-on-one meetings, virtual conversations or visits with congregants for prayer, counseling and for deepening spiritual knowledge and faith.

Alongside the Executive Council, lead, mentor, and equip high level leaders including small group leaders, deacons, and Sunday volunteers through regular training, coaching, prayer, and pastoral care.

Takes time to read, write, talk with others, and otherwise grow within their faith.

Desired Skills and Experience

We are looking for individuals who…

• Embody our mission, vision, and values as a church.
• Are progressive in their theology and focused on taking action as an LGBTQ inclusive, Anti-Racist and gender equitable church.
• Graduated from seminary or another pastoral training program.
• Preach and teach from the Bible with passion, wisdom, and grace.
• Have demonstrated experience and excellence in fundraising.
• Manage teams well and have experience coordinating volunteer leaders and/or other staff.
• May be comfortable driving a commercial church van.

Compensation

This is a full-time position with an expected base salary in the range of $80,000 to $120,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Forefront also provides a comprehensive total compensation package,

• health insurance benefits
• paid time off
• continuing education allowance

About Forefront

Forefront is an independent, inter-denominational, LGBTQIA-affirming and inclusive church that strives to be gender-equitable and actively anti-racist. We believe that our church is one of many ushering in a more just and generous expression of Christianity through following the progressive Christian values given to us through Jesus Christ. Read more about our values

We meet in the heart of downtown Brooklyn, New York and have about 350 people who call Forefront Church their communal home. We average about 130 people in attendance at our 11am Sunday morning service, with 80-90 of those being in person and 30-40 people joining online. Read more about our history here.

Forefront is led by an Executive Council that shares responsibility for the church's day-to-day management, vision, and decision-making through consensus. The Executive Council, together with appointed lay members, forms the broader Leadership Team, which provides financial and legal oversight, staff care, and strategic direction.