Lead Pastor

Evangelical Free

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 500

Meet Calvary Evangelical Free Church

Calvary Church is a multi-generational, ethnically-diverse, Christ-centered, Evangelical Free Church of about 500 located in the New England town of Trumbull, CT.

Calvary Church began as a public meeting of the newly formed Scandinavian Mission in Bridgeport on Thanksgiving Day, 1889. Its members were immigrants from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark who desired to fellowship with one another and worship God in their native tongue. The fellowship became affiliated with what is now known as the Evangelical Free Church of America in 1918 and held its first service in its present location in January 1957.

Since then, the facilities and ministries have expanded to serve a growing and vibrant congregation.

Calvary envisions an outwardly-focused ministry centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ to families of various generational stages in the greater Trumbull area and beyond.

About the Lead Pastor

Calvary Evangelical Free Church is seeking a Lead Pastor who:

• Sets a vision for followers of Jesus to engage our neighbors, community, and world with the love of Jesus and the good news of the gospel.
• Has a deep understanding and focus of gospel-centered theology, simultaneously leading people in a growing awareness of their sins and a growing awareness of God’s grace. (Gospel Centrality)
• Engages in spiritual formation, discipleship, and care for the church. It is essential that followers of Jesus are equipped to live faithfully in this world.
• Is driven by a heart for and allegiance to God’s word. He is responsible for teaching sound doctrine in this cultural moment that makes clear how we are to live out God’s word.

The Lead Pastor responsibilities include:

• Preach the gospel.  Communicate scriptural truth and a Biblical message. Clearly and accurately teach the Word of God in a way that engages both believers and non-believers to discover and apply Biblical truth in their own lives.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of Scripture.
• Encourage the congregation to move to a higher level of commitment to Christ and understanding of the Bible.
• Lead with presence and connect with a multigenerational congregation containing different levels of faith.
• Lead with a passion for outreach and evangelism.
• Have a strategy and passion for leadership development and discipleship.
• Co-lead with the elders and unite staff and ministry team leaders to maximize the effectiveness of the ministry.
• Ensure Oversight, development, evaluation, and direction of  full and part-time staff

What you bring

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

Education and experience

• A Master of Divinity from an accredited, orthodox theological seminary is strongly preferred
• Currently ordained in a like-minded, orthodox denomination.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Highly effective expository preaching and teaching skills
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Proactively communicates what is most important and supportive to his efforts 
• Communicates effectively in all forms of communication (verbal, e-mail, text, etc.)
• contributes effectively and positively in conversations, staff meetings, board meetings, etc.
• Self-aware and cognizant of how he is perceived by others
• Resolves conflict quickly
• Collaborates well with others – Able to set clear direction and entrusts others to deliver results 
• Effectively expresses differing viewpoints in a manner that contributes to effective dialogue
• Accepts decisions, even when not in full agreement
• Knows what is expected and then accomplishes those expectations
• Creates a fulfilling environment in the workplace
• Effectively leads others to accomplish ministry objectives
• Able to affirm and appreciate efforts of those he works with / leads 

Personal characteristics and qualifications

• Leader with integrity, prayerfully seeks God in his personal and professional life
• The servant’s heart will submit to God’s will for his life, and the congregation
• Meets Biblical leadership qualifications in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3
• Strong commitment to the Word of God
• Cares deeply for and actively meets the needs of people personally and collectively
• Spiritually and emotionally mature, can counsel those entrusted into his care
• Comfortably leads and develops others to lead
• Consistent approachability and willingness to consider others’ suggestions and/or input
• Agreement with EFCA and Church Statement of Faith

What it’s like to live in Trumbull, CT 

Trumbull is a community of 36,000 residents that combines small-town New England character and charm. The town is known to be very family-friendly, safe, and full of parks, and it has strong public, private, and parochial schools.

Trumbull has the most recreational and open space per capita in the state of Connecticut. It offers numerous outdoor recreation activities, including two outdoor pools and several parks spanning 1,400 acres. Visit the historic mineralogical Old Mine Park, join hundreds of families at the expansive Kaechele field Saturday mornings for soccer, or take a bike ride through the countryside on the Pequonnock River Trail, which runs through the northern corner of CHS. Trumbull also sports two private indoor tennis facilities, a large indoor recreation center, and a shopping mall. Located five miles inland from the Long Island Sound, Trumbull is a quick drive to the shoreline, where beaches and seaside dining abound. Nearby metropolitan areas include New York City and Boston, which are both about 2 hours away. Several major airports are readily accessible, including Bradley International Airport (in Hartford, CT), White Plains Airport, Laguardia, and JFK (all in nearby New York).