Pastor

Restart Pastor

Community Church of the Nazarene, Sikeston, Missouri

Objective
Community Church of the Nazarene in Sikeston, Missouri is searching for a missionally minded restart pastor for a fully funded restart.  This pastor must be  deeply passionate about reaching those who have not yet encountered Christ. The ideal candidate will nurture believers, helping them become fully devoted disciples, and will guide the church in becoming a powerful force for good within the local community.

Description
Community Church boasts a rich history spanning a century and is currently undergoing a season of renewal. Over the past year and a half, the church has seen its weekly attendance grow from 16 to 40, signaling new momentum and renewed morale. Committed to missional outreach, the church has welcomed numerous new families and children, and its recovery program is making a meaningful impact. Several ministries are actively serving the community. This position is perfect for someone ready to move beyond “church as usual” and lead a vibrant, growing congregation into its next chapter.

Context
Sikeston, Missouri, situated in Southeast Missouri between Memphis and St. Louis, is part of the Missouri District Church of the Nazarene. The community has about 16,000 residents with diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Building trust with local leaders and organizations is crucial for expanding ministry opportunities. A pastor with a strong community focus will find many chances to impact lives and open new pathways for church ministry.

Obstacle and Opportunity
The church facility is extensive, including a full gymnasium, but requires considerable resources for maintenance, creating financial challenges now and in the future. There are deferred maintenance items that need attention, and limited resources for outreach and ministry pose a barrier to future growth. However, an approved plan by both the Missouri District and Community Church addresses this challenge. Through district and church partnership, an ambitious plan has been adopted to sell the property and restart the church using the proceeds. The incoming pastor will guide this implementation. The district’s partnership guarantees a salary for three years, and along with current assets, will ensure four years of salary for full-time or bi-vocational employment, depending on the pastor’s needs. This provides time to sell and relocate the church to a rented space or smaller facility. Sale proceeds and interest from invested funds will cover ministry and operational expenses. The new pastor must be a visionary and dynamic leader, viewing this as an opportunity to cultivate a greater church and willing to take on the challenge of leading it forward.

Staff
The current lead pastor, a retired elder in the Church of the Nazarene, has served for two years. Though he and his wife do not reside in Sikeston, they will remain available to assist the new pastor as congregational members. The district has requested that he be available for coaching or consulting as needed.

Two ministers currently serve on staff at the church. The director of Celebrate Recovery ministry, an ordained elder, serves full time with a grant from the Missouri district. She has one year left on the salary commitment and plans to stay in the area seeking employment when the grant proceeds are depleted. Additionally, a non-salaried district licensed associate, a Sikeston native employed by the city, serves on staff and his future plans are pending.

Pastor Requirements
An ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene or actively pursuing ordination
A visionary leader with a catalytic leadership style
An outgoing leader who connects with people inside and outside the church
Committed to being personally involved in sharing the gospel and discipling new believers
Committed to personal development as a disciple, pastor, and leader
Faithful and diligent in financial stewardship
Committed to supporting the broader mission of the Missouri District and the International Church of the Nazarene
Contact Information
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Tim Brewer, Missouri District Superintendent at tbrewer@monaz.org