Describe what gifts, skills and experiences your congregation possesses to fulfill its mission.

Ashland Church has a small congregation but is not limited in gifts, skills or a willingness to share these gifts. Many of our members are professionals or retired professionals, with higher than average levels of education and income. We are also blessed to hold a strong financial position. In 2007, Ashland began a transformation process as part of the "Deep Shift" initiative in the Baltimore Presbytery. A "Healthy Church Team" formed to lead the process, and discern our Bible framing story, our core values and new initiatives which are now used in our Mission Study. Ashland views music as an important part of worship.  We have an exceptional music program including the chancel choir and contemporary worship team, both led by skilled musicians. We continue to benefit from an abundance of teaching skills. Support for Ashland's mission ministries is outstanding. Our mission pledges comprise 18% of our total pledges and we have the good fortune to receive an annual mission gift.  Among many other things, Ashland members have served in Cuba, Guatemala and Malawi, fed inner city mission residents and Ashland members in need, used carpentry and painting skills with Habitat for Humanity crews and during church work-parties. Recently Ashland has added a new A/V system in the Sanctuary and renovated the Fellowship Hall kitchen. These significant improvements were only possible through effective fundraising and project management skills which our members possess.

What are the key theological issues of our church and society that are reflected in the ministry of your congregation/organization?

A key theological issue for our times is the need for deep and meaningful relationships with God and each other.  Society and technology today encourage superficial relationships.  A genuine relationship is mutual, where both parties can give and receive.  Reflecting our commitment to service and to following Jesus' example, Ashland has selected as its framing story John 13:1-20, the story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet.  As we pattern our lives to this story, we discover that service alone is not fulfilling without relationships.  We have moved past offering mere financial support in our mission work to developing personal relationships with our partners.  We have formed lasting connections with people in our sister churches in Cuba and Guatemala.  What started as a simple response to a request for tuition assistance to the African Bible College blossomed into a vibrant relationship with a Malawian community. These and other connections have flourished in unexpected and rewarding ways. In John 13:14, Jesus calls us to serve each other.  We are learning that to give fully, we must humble ourselves, like Peter, and receive fully.  We must lower our guard and be vulnerable to those we are called to serve, and to God.  When we do so, we recognize our need to embrace and nurture our individual relationship with God.  We are Ashland Church - Companions in faith, loving God, learning to serve and be served.

Major Responsibilities: For what specific tasks, assignments, and program areas will this person have responsibility?

Worship: plan and lead worship, develop creative expression and broad involvement in worship, facilitate youth involvement in worship, and coordinate worship with music staff.

Spiritual Development: help nurture deeper relationships with God, guide Christian education, and help lead confirmation class.

Church Connections & Relationships: participate in fellowship and pastoral care, conduct hospital and shut-in visitation, support mission efforts, and increase church visibility in local community to foster growth.

Transformation: partner to continue transformation process, help develop new leadership model, equip and train lay committee leaders and members.

Administration:  supervise staff, be involved with Preschool, contribute to newsletter, website, and other media, maintain regular office hours, and respond promptly to requests.

Description of characteristics and qualifications needed in a person who would fill this position.

We are looking for a pastor who is living a faithful life with energy, enthusiasm and humility, demonstrating God's love with warmth, openness, caring and consideration.  He or she will approach the task of ministry with a cheerful, optimistic outlook and intellectual rigor, engaging members with teaching that is actionable & practical, faith challenging, and Bible-centered. The pastor will bring diversity in her/ his teaching style to be a resource for members of all ages.  We seek a pastor who will be involved in the life of the congregation, responsive to our needs, able to delegate, resolve issues, and build consensus.  Our pastor will be interested in the global community and appreciative of the diversity of God's creation.  She or he will be a visionary partner with us to lead Ashland forward.

We require the following qualifications: experience in worship planning and sermon delivery, adept at passing along knowledge, and technologically literate.

We also prefer the candidate have experience in: community service, international mission, and travel.