Snapshot

Denomination: Lutheran (ELCA)

Weekly Attendance:  1150

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

The Role: Senior Pastor

Meet Southwood Lutheran Church:

Southwood Lutheran Church is a Christian community focused on helping people grow in their
love for God and others. We are a 4300+ member congregation focused on helping people group
in their faith and committed to walking with our brothers and sisters in need. We have been
blessed with leadership that focuses on the quality of our worship experience, building impactful
global and local mission partnerships, and implementing dynamic growth opportunities for all
ages.

Southwood Lutheran Church’s 50+ year history is marked with faithful growth and consistency of vision. While holding true to giving first to local and global missions, Southwood has spiritually found ways to invite and serve a continually growing population. The impetus to expand our original church structure at a once isolated location now encompassed with community growth, is being repeated. 

Twenty years ago, a faithful leap by the congregation to purchase land and build an entirely new building in a less populated area, is now seeing expansive community investment and growth. Southwood is a beacon of open and welcoming invitation, community partnership, and engaging ministry for all ages. 

Southwood looks forward to the many ministry possibilities ahead, not only in our thriving
community but also in partnering with a new Senior Pastor ready to enliven the new wave of
Southwood congregants and to connect with our committed congregation. Built on strengths of
service, small group vibrancy, healthy financial stewardship and committed Associate Pastors and
staff, Southwood’s ministry is excited for the next 50+ years. Southwood is part of the Nebraska
Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or ELCA.

About the Senior Pastor:

Built on a rich history of ministry, a vibrant congregation of 4,300+, and a rapidly growing local
community, Southwood Lutheran Church looks forward to welcoming our next Senior Pastor.
Supported by a dedicated staff, associate pastors, and passionate congregation members, this
service-hearted leader will expand Southwood’s mission for local and global partnerships, while
equipping new and diverse congregants into our faith community.

The Senior Pastor's Responsibilities Include: 

Primary Responsibilities

• Preach the Word.

• Administer the sacraments.

• Conduct public worship.

• Provide pastoral care.

• Teach, confirm, and officiate funerals and weddings.

• Supervise staff and help conduct evaluations.

• Be a beacon of Christ’s message to the community and world.

• Encourage and cultivate future leaders of the church.

• Endeavor to increase the support given by the congregation to the work of the churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and of the Nebraska Synod of the ELCA.

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead Southwood’s partnership and mission efforts in the community and with our sister congregations in Tanzania and Honduras.

• Working with the Church Council, develop and effectively communicate a vision for Southwood  for the next 3-5 years, including member re-engagement and growth-oriented community outreach.

• Keep Southwood’s in-person and virtual worship experience a differentiator and destination for evolving demographics. Connect with the current worship population, while bringing new ideas and energy to expand the reach of Southwood’s ministry and spiritual growth, pastoral care, and worship experience.

• Leverage Southwood’s growth opportunity to attract new members. Collaborate with staff
  and congregation leaders to continue to expand and diversify Southwood’s mission and
  member reach, through a culture of inclusiveness and community outreach.

What You Bring: 

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

Education & Experience

• Master’s Degree from a main line theological seminary, or graduate school equivalent.

• 5+ years of experience leading a church in the role of Senior Pastor or functional equivalent

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to develop and effectively communicate a vision for identifying and meeting the spiritual needs of a rapidly expanding portion of our community.

• Ability to update and communicate Southwood’s Strategic Plan; a forward-focused leader who can develop Southwood’s response to the adjacent community growth, and plan for Southwood’s future.

• Ability to identify and minister to the changing spiritual needs of the younger generations.

• Ability to lead and inspire the Associate Pastors, staff and congregation in the execution of the vision

• Ability to build a sense of community with members, staff, and mission partners; ability to be known personally by the church.

• Ability to prioritize congregational engagement and inclusiveness.

• Ability to invest in staff relationships and equip leaders with effective conflict management skills, listen intently, successfully manage change and build a culture of transparency, trust and service.

• Ability to collaborate with the Church Council, Associate Pastors, and staff leadership.
  
  

• Ability to leverage the strengths of missions and stewardship, using Southwood’s current gifts as a platform for ongoing vibrancy and expansion.

• Focuses on the worship experience and spiritual growth.

What it's Like to Live in Lincoln, Nebraska: 

As the state capital and home of the University of Nebraska, the city of Lincoln is a vibrant community and a great place to live.  The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce has accurately described Lincoln as “the perfect mix of good people, interesting places and a diverse range of things to do.”  With a population of 284,000 people, Lincoln is both big-city equipped and small-town friendly.  

We are an economically healthy city that provides job opportunities in healthcare, industry and public services.  Lincoln is known as the Silicon Prairie due to the number of start-ups in the tech industry.  Our city consistently maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.  Education is a priority in Lincoln.  We have a very strong public school system as well as several private schools.  In addition to the university, Lincoln is home to four private colleges and two community colleges.   

Our city is family-friendly, sports-oriented, and is nationally recognized as one of the healthiest and cleanest cities to live in.   Lincoln is home to many beautiful parks and miles of bike trails that make outdoor activities easily accessible.  The Folsom Children’s Zoo is world-class and has recently expanded.  Public swimming pools, the Lincoln Children’s Museum, and historical museums provide other family-friendly activities.  The Haymarket and Railyard, in downtown Lincoln, are home to great restaurants, theaters, and the Pinnacle Bank Arena.  And, honestly, there is nothing quite like Lincoln on a football Saturday when the “sea of red” gathers in Memorial Stadium.  

Lincolnites are welcoming and generous toward a steady stream of refugees looking for a fresh start in our community.  This creates a healthy diversity of people and cultures in our city. There is also a strong relationship between local churches and the community.  

For further information on Lincoln, we recommend the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce website www.lcoc.com.

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