Snapshot

Denomination: Non-Denominational

Weekly Attendance:  350

Location: Traverse City

The Role: Campus Lead Pastor

Meet Kensington Traverse City:

When three guys who had been in the church most of their lives experienced an overwhelming pull to start something new in the Metro Detroit area, they assembled 40 families as crazy as they were, to live out a new kind of movement in Metro Detroit. Derided by some, misunderstood by many, this small band of Jesus followers poured out all of their resources to build a radically invitational church experience. 

The goal? To reach and connect with folks that many churches might have considered unreachable. 

For 37 years, Kensington has continued to live out its mission through church planting, campusing, and establishing global partnerships. With Jesus as Lord and the teaching of God’s Word, Kensington has remained passionate and steadfast about helping people discover (or re-discover) the wonder and awe of an adventure with Jesus. 

The Traverse City campus was formerly called Bay Pointe Community Church and was adopted by Kensington in 2016. Today, the church offers Sunday worship services, campus specific ministries, and local outreach programs, similar to other Kensington campuses. It aims to be a hub for spiritual growth and community engagement in the region, aligning with Kensington's mission to make church relevant to people’s everyday lives. The leadership strongly believes that Kensington’s Traverse City location’s best days are yet to be discovered! 

About the Campus Lead Pastor:

As the Lead Pastor of the Traverse City Campus at Kensington, the ideal person will play a pivotal role in shaping and guiding the Traverse City campus, serving as the designated leader and teacher. This man or woman must have a passion, “To see every(one) transformed and mobilized by Jesus.” The ideal candidate will fully embrace the church’s mission, vision, values and strategies while celebrating the unique DNA that has developed over 30 years.

The Campus Lead Pastor Responsibilities Include: 

• Vision Casting: As the point-leader at your campus, you will be responsible for casting a compelling vision that aligns with the overall mission of Kensington nuanced for the specific opportunities and challenges in the Traverse City Region. Your role involves translating this vision into dynamic and inspiring teachings during weekend and midweek services.

• Leadership: Lead the campus leadership team collaboratively, contributing to the preservation of the core values and ethos of Kensington.  Your leadership will be instrumental in ensuring that the heart of Kensington remains intact at the specific location you oversee.

• Message Series and Titles: Actively participate in the process of determining message series and titles for services. Collaborate with the broader team to create content that resonates with the congregation and addresses relevant spiritual needs.

• Training and Development: Champion the value of inspired teaching by training and developing others who possess the spiritual gift of teaching. Facilitate a culture of continuous improvement and growth within the teaching team at your campus.

• Momentum Building: Generate and maintain momentum at your campus, fostering an environment that encourages spiritual growth, community engagement, and active participation among the congregation.

• Big "L" Leadership: Be the prominent leader (big "L") for your campus, serving as a role model and source of inspiration for both the leadership team and the wider community. Exhibit strong leadership qualities that align with Kensington's mission and values.

• Donor Development: Engage with the Donor Development Director and team to thank and communicate to Traverse City Campus donors. Attend donor events. Work alongside Donor Development Director to have a strategic plan to increase giving at your campus.

What You Bring: 

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Campus Lead Pastor:

Education & Experience

• Undergraduate ministerial degree. Seminary degree preferred.

• Minimum 5 years experience in leadership and in  teaching at a local Church. Strong organizational and team leadership skills. Commitment to preserving the core values and mission of Kensington. 

Personal Characteristics & Qualifications

• Passion for training and developing others in the spiritual gift of teaching. A deep understanding of and alignment with the overall mission and beliefs of Kensington.

• Demonstrate the qualities of a follower of Jesus Christ, with a passion to love God, live in community with those in the body of Christ and extend the love of God to those seeking Him.  

• Show a strong commitment to living out Kensington’s values of In Christ, Under Scripture, As a Family, For the One, From Brokenness, With Openhandedness, and Through Others.

• An ability to deeply connect with others

• A hunger to see the church multiply in the region

• A gift of preaching and teaching with power, clarity and spiritual authority

• A combination of humility, vulnerability and strong will

• An absence of ego, with collaboration being a “go-to” default

• A high level of emotional intelligence

• A desire for teamwork and goodwill

• A propensity towards fun and joy

• A burn to cast vision

• A background in large church contexts, preferably multi-site movements

• A history serving in a teaching team model

• A drive to create and sustain momentum and campus health

• An overwhelming desire to see people connected in community

• An ease and confidence in building bridges between generations

What it's Like to Live in Traverse City, MI: 

Living in Traverse City, Michigan, is often described as a delightful blend of small-town charm and natural beauty. It’s like stepping into a picturesque, small-town paradise with a vibrant community spirit. Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay, the city offers stunning natural beauty with its sparkling waters, lush forests, and rolling hills. Residents enjoy a high quality of life marked by a strong sense of community and access to outdoor activities year-round.  From sailing, fishing, hiking, biking, and kayaking in the warmer months to skiing, snowboarding, and ice fishing in the winter, there's always something to do outdoors. If you enjoy the waterfront lifestyle, there’s ample opportunities to enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming on the nearby lakes and rivers.

Traverse City is also known for its thriving local food scene, with a plethora of farm-to-table restaurants, wineries, and farmers' markets. The city's charm is further enhanced by its historic downtown, which is filled with unique boutiques, galleries, and cultural events. 

Despite its small size, Traverse City boasts a rich arts scene and a variety of festivals, making it a lively and engaging place to live. Traverse City offers a high quality of life for those who enjoy nature, a friendly community, and a strong sense of place. If you're seeking a beautiful and vibrant location to call home, Traverse City may be the perfect fit.

Think you're a great fit for this role? Become a candidate below.