Classis of Central Iowa

Classis Leader Job Description

Vision – Our staff person will see themselves first and foremost as a servant of the churches of the Classis, appropriately freeing up pastors and churches for ministry through his or her leadership. They will be a person who seeks to help pastors, churches and staff live out their unique call by providing encouragement, resources and support. They will work collaboratively with the Culture team to facilitate excellent communication, effective structures and healthy decision making for the sake of ministry.

Desired Characteristics:

  1. Love for Jesus and a desire to see others come to faith in Him
  2. Love for the local church and a passion for leading churches to kingdom faithfulness and effectiveness
  3. Understanding that every church is uniquely shaped by God and must be treated fairly with kindness, love, respect and dignity
  4. Able to handle interpersonal and system conflict with grace, truth and skill
  5. Familiar with and supportive of RCA doctrine and the Classical structure
  6. At least five years of ministry experience
  7. Possess spiritual gifts of leadership, wisdom & encouragement
  8. Excellent written and interpersonal skills
  9. Great people skills for building trust with pastors, consistory members, and congregants.
  10. Creative leadership and skills for planning, developing, organizing and implementing processes or methods to fulfill the vision for Central Iowa
  11. Able to build and facilitate teams

Expected Tasks:

  1. Seek to develop relationships with all the pastors in the classis as well as the consistories of all the churches
  2. In partnership with the culture team, reimagine the commission structure and create efficient, effective systems of operation which free congregations for mission through maintained relationships
  3. Promote good communication and decision making processes within the classis
  4. Serve as the face of the classis
  5. Be a “first-responder” in times of crisis or conflict; but will hand off the long-term care of the conflict to appropriate teams within the classis
  6. Work with Culture team to provide life giving classis meetings
  7. Provideconsultive leadership to churches during times of transition like vacancy or congregational vision-casting
  8. Direct the standing teams and ad hoc work groups of the Classis
  9. Serve as the point liaison between the classis and the regional synod as well as the national RCA leaders; maintain the classis’ good standing within the RCA
  10. Supervise Classis staff
  11. Come alongside churches to encourage God’s vision for their church
  12. Encourage participation in pastoral networks
  13. Resource for leadership development within the congregation

Accountability & Support

  • The CL will be employed by the Classis of Central Iowa and will be accountable to the Culture Team
  • Representatives of the Culture Team will conduct an annual review
  • Classis leader and Culture Team will work together to build a plan for support
  • The CL will attend Classis meetings and Culture Team meetings in a non-voting role
  • The CL will live within the Classis boundaries

Compensation:

Compensation is a comprehensive package that includes a competitive salary, mileage, meals, retirement, vacation, insurance (medical, life, LTD, long-term care) and professional development.