University Baptist Church, located adjacent to Ohio State University, is seeking a vibrant, innovative pastor willing to explore creative new outreach opportunities while supporting existing church ministries that have established the identity of UBC in the neighborhood.

UBC has a long history of supporting progressive ideas. It was one of the earliest openly integrated congregations in Columbus during the fight for civil rights. Its 50-year-old program named the International Coffee Hour welcomes hundreds of women and children weekly from around the world to gather for conversational English and hospitality. UBC played a pivotal role in the establishment of Neighborhood Services, the food pantry that serves the campus area. UBC officially joined the ranks of Welcoming and Affirming congregations in 2011. This progressive legacy and commitment to social justice ideals as an expression of our faith is an important value we are seeking in a future pastor.

Much like other mainline denominational churches and especially post COVID, UBC has suffered a decline in membership. While change can be challenging, we are exploring a variety of ideas and opportunities that will pave the way for UBC to remain a vital community and expand God’s transforming presence in the lives of our members, friends and the larger community. Our community has demonstrated the willingness to seriously engage a variety of possibilities. We are nearing completion in development of a new strategic plan. We are seeking a pastor who has the leadership vision and skills that will help to facilitate this new strategic plan.

The role of the Pastor is to collaborate with the church leaders in overseeing the life and direction of the church. The Pastor will have a firm grasp on the purpose, values, and strategy of the church. The Pastor will seek to call forth the potential of persons as leaders to accomplish the church’s mission. The Pastor will ensure that the systems, practices and policies of the church responsibly and effectively support its ministry activities.

For more information and/or to apply, read the description available at https://ministrelife.org/positions/1919 or by emailing ABC Rochester/Genesee Region Executive Minister Rev. Dr. Sandra Hasenauer at sandyh@abcrgr.org. 

http://www.ubccolumbus.org/