Springing into Life - New Hire Coming to Elmhurst CRC
Elmhurst CRC is committed to growing believers in three directions: upward toward God, inward in Christian community, and outward in Gospel service to the world.
While we are currently led so strongly and well by Pastor Jeff and Erin Pacheco (outward and upward, respectively), the absence of a gifted leader to guide the inward, community part of church life has grown increasingly apparent in recent years. The consequences of failing to live into this third direction of the vision can be spiritually devastating. We can so easily become:
Powerless without our connection to God
Pretentious without spiritual friends to connect with
Pointless and lacking purpose without reaching out to the wider community
God forbid that we fall into any of those three pits!
Thanks to the generous giving of our congregation through the Hearts Ablaze campaign and the reduction of our mortgage debt, we’ve been able to reallocate a significant portion of our tithes and offerings toward ministry, opening the door to hiring a full-time Director of Congregational Engagement. This spring, the hiring process has been steadily unfolding.
The official position description for our future leader of the “In” dynamic is as follows: The Director of Congregational Engagement connects believers in fellowship while helping them to become lifelong followers of Jesus. This position is responsible for the inward development of the community of believers.
The main work of this new position centers around two core responsibilities:
1. Creating Relationships of Belonging
Directing groups and activities that connect people deeply to the Body of Christ
Creating and managing thriving small groups for all segments of ECRC
Overseeing welcome experience, new attendee follow-up, and membership classes
Helping people discover their gifts and find places to serve at ECRC
2. Making Apprentices of Jesus
Creating and implementing a pathway of growth and discipleship
Strategically overseeing programs designed to bring about growth and spiritual maturity
Connecting regularly with people to help them in discipleship practices
This is obviously going to be a big job! But I’m so hopeful that finding the right leader to serve in this position will help our church build spiritual momentum like never before. I can’t wait for the day when a gifted, focused leader leads us in each of the three dimensions of the spiritual life: Up, In, and Out!
In terms of the hiring process and timing, we’ve had dozens and dozens of interested candidates apply for this position. Initial phone screenings and a round of online interviews have already happened. The field of candidates is about to get narrowed to a small number of finalists who will be interviewed in person by a combination of Staff, Personnel Committee members, SLT, and Elders. We are hoping and praying (and please join in!) that we’ll discern the right person for the job and have them in place by midsummer, fully ready for action when the fall ministry season begins.
One of the beautiful things about disciples of Christ is that we come in all varieties: Young, old. Female, male. Wealthy entrepreneurs and working class. Single, married. People with PhDs and those working on a GED. Folks who vote Democrat, Republican, and everything else in between. The amazing thing about the church is that all these differences are transcended by the person of Jesus who draws us all to a common center. This new role at ECRC will - Lord willing - help us experience the joy of our connections and unity in Christ like never before.
~ Pastor Gregg