Preaching/Senior Minister

GACC, initially founded in 1959 as Western Heights Christian Church, moved to a new location in 2005 and became Grand Avenue Christian Church. GACC has been ministering to Carbondale and the surrounding area for over sixty-four years as an Independent Christian Church. As a congregation, we are in prayer, confident that God is preparing a minister to lead us into the next chapter of our journey.

Our congregation is a diverse group from various walks of life and spiritual maturity, bound by faith with the desire to grow spiritually and share the love of God with those who may not know Him. GACC currently holds two worship services on Sunday mornings with an average total attendance of 230, each featuring contemporary praise and worship, communion, offering, sermon, and a time of invitation. Adult Sunday school is available during each service, with nursery and Children's Church provided during the second service. Junior High and High School groups meet on Sunday evenings, while adults enjoy several fellowship and spiritual growth opportunities throughout the week. GACC is located in Carbondale, Illinois, a dynamic and welcoming community offering a blend of academic energy, cultural richness, and natural beauty. The city is home to Southern Illinois University and boasts diverse academic programs and youthful energy. The community is celebrated through festivals and events. The nearby Shawnee National Forest provides outdoor enthusiasts with stunning landscapes. Carbondale's active artistic community, affordable cost of living, and a strong sense of community make it an appealing destination for a high quality of life, with excellent educational opportunities, proximity to larger cities like St. Louis, and a supportive atmosphere for families.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead: The Senior Minister is expected to lead and shepherd the congregation alongside the Board of Elders, working together to create long-range goals and carry out GACC's mission within our church and community.

Minister: The Senior Minister is expected to prepare and preach scripturally accurate, relevant sermons each Sunday and participate in leading Sunday School and discipling within smaller group settings.

Supervise/Mentor: The Senior Minister is responsible for supervising and mentoring a current 4-person paid church staff (full-time Student/Young Adult Minister, full-time Kids Director, part-time Worship Director, and part-time Office Manager) and volunteers, fostering teamwork and accountability to support the mission of the church.

Pastoral Care: The Senior Minister is responsible for the spiritual health and well-being of the congregation, providing counseling, performing weddings and funerals, and giving pastoral care to the sick and shut-ins.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• The successful candidate must be a mature Christian who meets the qualifications of an Elder (1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9).
• A bachelor's degree in Christian ministry with practical ministry experience within an organized Independent Christian church is required.
• Preferred qualifications include five years of experience in supported pastoral ministries and at least two years of experience as Senior Minister.

TO APPLY:

Applicants should submit the following materials:

• A resume
• A cover letter highlighting qualifications and fit for this position
• Sermon examples demonstrating preaching ability (video encouraged, audio only acceptable)
• Four references that can speak to recent church ministry

Submit all materials to [email protected]. For any questions about the position or the application process, please contact [email protected]. Prayerful review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.