The Role of Lead Elder The Lead Elder will serve as the first among equals on a team of elders. As an elder he devotes himself to prayer and the ministry of the Word. He manages his own family well, his life is consistent with the Elder qualifications found in I Timothy 3, Titus 1, I Peter 5, and Acts 20. The Lead Elder confidently believes, lives, and proclaims the Gospel. The Lead Elder is called to serve Jesus by overseeing various ministries of the church paying special attention to coaching volunteers and staff to bridge diverse cultures on the Eastside. The Lead Elder, together with the elders, is responsible for the teaching ministry of Soma. The Lead Elder affirms and supports the Soma Membership Covenant. Elder Leadership Lead the Elders with grace and humility, overseeing monthly Elder meetings and keeping them informed of developments and challenges within the church, staff, or community. Invite Elders into discussion and discernment about areas of vision and direction for the church. Oversee a spiritual qualification discernment track for potential elders and deacons within the church body. Areas of Oversight Staff o Lead and manage staff in serving the needs of the congregation and community as we build bridges to diverse cultures on the Eastside.
o Evaluate and develop staff, proactively design and adjust role descriptions and encouraging professional development
o Coach staff toward meeting ministry goals in their areas of responsibility.
o Provide visionary leadership and work in collaboration with staff for creation and execution of community gatherings.
Community Engagement o Strive to see every person who calls Soma Eastside their home in a community group.
o Invest in Community Group Coaches to ensure consistent vision is executed well.
o Assisted by the Elders, facilitate regular group training, check-ins, and strategic help.
o Equip group leaders to build bridges to diverse cultures on the Eastside.
o Coach and lead deacons towards caring for the spiritual and physical needs of the congregation and community.
o Engage with the broader regional and local community, including building relationships with other churches and organizations
Counseling Ministry o Overall responsibility for evaluation and referral to appropriate care.
o Create systems of preventative care and support for individuals and families in need. o Participate in personal counseling of others where appropriate
Preaching Ministry o Preach approximately 60% of the Sunday gatherings.
o Work cooperatively with Elders to strategically build a preaching calendar which addresses the needs of the congregation and shares preaching responsibility.
Qualifications Desired Qualifications Master of Divinity (or equivalent experience)
10 years ministry experience
3 years experience serving as an elder (can be concurrently while serving as a minister on staff)
Demonstrated ability in building collaborative teams
Staff management experience, including coaching and personnel development
Demonstrated organizational development skills
Experience in cross-cultural engagement
Salary & Benefits $125,000
Health care Vacation days Can be done remote?
No
