3.003  Role Description - Senior Minister

Date Role Description Reviewed:  January 10, 2006

The Senior Minister coordinates with the following standing councils and committees of the church:

• Evangelism
• Stewardship
• Property
• Membership
• Outreach
• Other councils and committees as necessary.

The following major duties and responsibilities are listing in order of descending priority according to the congregational survey conducted by the Senior Minister search committee in 1997.

      Preaching and Worship

• Preach and lead worship services, with assistance of Minister of Music & Education
• Coordinate and direct involvement of staff and lay participants in planning dynamic and uplifting services of worship
• Work with the Minister of Music and Education in the use of music and music staff to enhance and enrich all worship opportunities
• Conduct baptisms, parent-child dedications, weddings and funerals as needed
• Assist Worship Council in designing and conducting special worship services, as needed
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•       Spiritual Development of Members
• Help organize Bible study/discussions with those interested in a weekday study
• Encourage members of the church to be in prayer each day, for the church, for the ministers, staff and lay leaders of the church
• encourage members of the church to participate in special spiritual development retreats, such as Walk to Emmaus events

      Evangelism

• Work with the Evangelism Council to develop strategy, plan and implement a plan of evangelism and church growth within the congregation
• Encourage lay persons of the church to participate in church growth training events, such as National Evangelistic Workshops
• Train lay persons to make home visits on prospective members, and join with them in making those visits
• Work with the Evangelism Council to plan a strategy for attracting and holding young married couples in the church.
• Work with the Membership Council to plan and implement a strategy of nurture and contact with members of the church.

      Pastoral Care

• Encourage church families to report hospitalization and make regular visits to members and friends of the church in hospitals
• Be on call for pastoral counseling and support of the members in individual crises and death situations, and on joyful occasions of church families and the congregation
• Work closely with the Elders of the church in their nurture, support and spiritual oversight of the congregation
• Pay special attention to the pastoral care of the elderly of the congregation (41% of the congregation is of retirement age)

      Teaching

• As needs dictate, teach in both the Sunday School and other biblical, theological and historical studies to enrich the spiritual life of the church
• Conduct “Pastor’s Classes” and “Discipleship” courses in conjunction with the Associate Minister as needed
• Speak to church groups of all varieties from time to time, thereby lifting up the Christian faith and Churchmanship and their implications for contemporary living

      Administration

• Conduct staff meetings on a regular basis (weekly if possible) and counsel with professional, program and support staff
• Chair all meetings of the Cabinet (Council chairs), providing leadership and sight-setting for a vigorous and multi-faceted church program
• Work with Executive Committee to establish and maintain a growth-oriented ministry within and beyond the community
• Work with the Nominating Council to select able lay leaders for the elected positions in the church

      Other Responsibilities

• Represent University Christian Church in public arenas, within the community of Austin and beyond
• Support the larger church through participation on boards and committees, and at assemblies
• Participate in and support the programs of the endowment for Creative Ministry
• Has primary supervisory responsibilities for the ministerial staff and the support staff, except nursery attendants

3.003R  Review - Senior Minister

Rev. Dr. Kutz-Marks

Please provide feedback in any area of ministry where you have personal knowledge of the minister’s performance in the past year.  We welcome your thoughtful comments.

Preaching and worship:

Administration:

Spiritual development of members:

Pastoral Care: