Our Narrative

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  1. What is the congregation’s or organization’s vision for ministry? Describe how this vision is lived out.
    Our vision at Alpine Presbyterian Church is one of growth. Primarily, we prayerfully strive for growth in our understanding of God’s Word and its application in our daily lives. As the hands and feet of God, we want to exemplify what it means to live as a Christian, to be ambassadors who carry a message wherever we go and servants of God in whatever we are doing with our lives in the world.We desire growth in our outreach efforts, connecting to those in need, providing spiritual and physical nourishment to all communities. Our support of local missions such as the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission, Longview Food Pantry, and Camp Gilmont, a local Christian Retreat, is representative of our love for others. The vision of APC is to continue these programs and expand what we can do as witnesses of Christ’s love in our world today.We seek growth in our church membership. We welcome members of all ages, with an emphasis on attracting young families with children. We long to rekindle an active youth program to allow our children to grow in Christ and learn to serve others. As a small, close-knit congregation of 20-25 active members we enjoy a traditional worship service with scripture-based preaching, engaging children’s sermons, and a powerful music ministry led by an exceptionally talented music director. Our church also joins with other Presbyterian churches for Lenten services.
  2. How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging needs of your community or constituency?
    We seek to be living examples of Christ’s love by serving our neighbors simply by asking “How can we help?” In addition to financial aid, we provide manpower. We look to be doers of the Word by:

    1. Monthly cooking and serving a meal at Highway 80 Rescue Mission
    2. Continuous collection of food items for the local food pantry
    3. Livestreaming worship services
    4. Weekly engagement of both in-person and virtual participants by live Facebook voting for the last hymn of the service
    5. Connecting with others musically by posting the upcoming hymns on Facebook
    6. Financially supporting Camp Gilmont as well as providing scholarships to any child within the community who wishes to attend camp
    7. Providing an annual college scholarship to a graduating senior in our congregation
    8. Monthly fellowship meals to which congregants are encouraged to invite others
    9. Allowing the community to use our facilities for voting places, Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts meetings, and Thursday Threaders Quilting Group
    10. Hosting an annual Community Easter Egg Hunt and Fall Festival
    11. Participate in Blue Christmas, a community wide worship service for those who mourn
    12. Participate in monthly Theology on Tap
  3. How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
    We recognize the need to seek God’s direction in all things, so we value a pastor who will keep us focused on the scriptures and prayer. We will welcome a pastor who will honor our 140-year history, embrace our vision, learn who we are, who our community is, and strongly wants to be a part of both. We are eager to collaborate with a pastor as partners in identifying areas of need and inspiring real engagement and action beyond Sunday worship.
  4. Provide a description of the characteristics needed by the person who is open to being called to this congregation.
    The pastor should have a genuine desire to join our congregation and be engaged in the life of the church. We seek a compassionate pastor who can build relationships within the congregation and the community at large. We want our pastor to be him/herself so we can also be ourselves. Communication with our new pastor must be mutual, with the pastor communicating his/her needs and ways the congregation can support him/her, as well as the pastor listening to the needs of the congregants and responding in kind. It is important for the pastor to have a creative vision to revitalize the life of our church and welcome forming a partnership with us to accomplish our goals. A pastor who is an initiative-taker with a good sense of humor will be a welcomed addition to our church family.
  5. Specific duties/tasks
    1. Work closely with the Session Our pastor will moderate all session meetings, congregational meetings, and support and advise the Standing Committees of Session (Buildings and Grounds, Christian Education, Fellowship, Finance, Mission, Worship), and oversee the administration of the congregation’s work.
    2. Head of staff
    3. Perform ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and confirmations
    4. Perform baptisms and Holy Communion
    5. Create a system for Pastoral care, addressing the needs of the sick, the shut-ins, the dying, and the grieving, and offer personal counseling to those seeking guidance.
    6. Leading vision planning and monitor and adjust plan to ensure timely success
    7. Leading regular and special worship services, including delivering engaging, relatable sermons based on scripture
    8. Join the congregation in being a welcoming presence for all visitors; creatively reach out to the community
    9. Be a good steward of the budget
    10. Work with the congregation to increase membership of Alpine Presbyterian Church

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