The Circle of Mercy is seeking a part-time co-pastor! To apply, please send a resume, a video or audio link or file of a recent sermon, and a detailed cover letter that maps the fit between your experience and skills to who Circle of Mercy is and the responsibilities and qualifications of the position outlined above, in one pdf file using the following naming convention: “Your Last Name-Your First Name.pdf”, via email only to: applicant@circleofmercy.org. Application deadline: April 30, 2022.
For the full job description, click here.
The Church
The Circle of Mercy (COM) is a 20 year old congregation with between 50-75 regular attenders. We strive to be a community of hope inspired by radical mercy. We attempt to follow Jesus in worship, fellowship, and Empire-challenging troublemaking. We are a church with no building and few programs, yet always encouraging members to work individually or in groups to be agents of reconciliation. While we have experienced consistent, modest growth over the years, we do not believe the usual metrics of growth—numbers and budget—are significant indicators of health. What is important is articulating and practicing our vision and mission with as much clarity and passion as possible. We follow the mysterious movement of the Spirit as revealed in our common life. We are affiliated with both the Alliance of Baptists and United Church of Christ (Southern Conference, WNC Association).
COM started with a co-pastor model and members value this power sharing arrangement. The third and final of our founding co-pastors, Nancy Sehested, retired in August 2021. We currently have an interim co-pastor filling the role until we call a permanent replacement. This part-time position will work closely with and serve alongside Missy Harris, the other co-pastor. Missy is drawn to and gifted in pastoral ministry, working with youth, and preaching in a way that is relational and down to earth as well as theologically grounded.
Mission
We believe that doing justice and loving mercy are tied to walking humbly with God. Our purpose is to nurture spiritual formation in ways that support prophetic and redemptive work in the world.
The Position
The Co-Pastor is a part-time (22 hrs per week/ .5 FTE – full-time equivalent) position. The co-pastor collaborates with another .5 FTE co-pastor, .2 FTE music leader, and a .2 FTE administrator (currently the other co-pastor), and lay leadership to plan and implement all the activities of the church.
Co-pastors model shared leadership, the variety of gifts of the body of Christ, the healthy sharing of the pastoral burden, and offer differing points of views and ways of ministering. We recognize that this model demands intentional coordination and communication between pastors, and may require that co-pastors be bivocational. Thus flexibility from both the co-pastors and the congregation is essential.
Co-Pastor Missy Harris is a native of Western North Carolina, having grown up in Sylva. She attended Mars
Hill College and Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She has been attending COM since 2003 and began working at COM in 2010, coordinating religious education for the children and youth and assisting with pastoral care. COM ordained Missy in April of 2014. Communities that have been significant in Missy’s faith journey include: the churches where she grew up, Circle of Mercy, Campus Ministry at Mars Hill College, the Open Door Community and Jubilee Partners. Missy also works part-time at Mission Hospital as a chaplain.