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presents

State Pastor

Fishers, Indiana

https://indianaministries.org

Vision, Mission & Values

Indiana Ministries is a partnership of over 120 Church of God congregations and over 500 pastors and ministries spread across Indiana.

At the very heart of the organization, Indiana Ministries comes alongside pastors and congregations to empower them to fulfill the great commission, namely to make more and better disciples.

Mission: Accelerating Healthy Multiplication to transform Indiana and Beyond

Indiana Ministries accomplishes this mission by...

Training, resourcing & empowering local congregations to be healthy & effective.

Developing pastors & lay leaders who are passionate about the mission.

Partnering with congregations in multiplying growing, healthy churches and starting new churches.

Providing credentialing services for those preparing for ministry, in addition to maintaining credentials for licensed ministers.

Assisting local congregations going through leadership transitions.

Values

  • Visionary Spiritual Leadership
  • Continuing Education/Coaching and Mentoring
  • Networking/Community Building with Pastors and Churches
  • Personal integrity and respect from ministry peers and congregational members across the state and across denominational lines.
  • Character, competency, chemistry and care
  • Concern and commitment to expanding the Kingdom of God through reaching and growing people in Christ

History & Leadership

History

Indiana Ministries was created in the 1960s by leading pastors and churches in the state. There had been a growing need for several years for a state organization to coordinate the credentialing of pastors, address credentialing related issues with pastors and congregations, and provide for the overall administration of the Church of God in Indiana.

A pastor was hired to lead the organization and given the title of Executive Secretary. The role was primarily administrative, along with being a pastor to pastors. State pastors in Indiana have tended to be in their middle 50s and 60s, have solid experience as a pastor in local congregations, and have been well respected by ministers in the state and in other states. In the last 20 years the title of the leader of Indiana Ministries was changed to Executive State Pastor and more recently to State Pastor. In the last 15 years Indiana Ministries has primarily focused on partnering with churches to be engaged in the mission of making more and better disciples, resourcing congregations for health and effectiveness, encouraging the multiplication of new churches, and championing pastoral health.

Indiana Ministries has been a leader in state ministry for the Church of God. The Church of God began in Indiana and has typically had 120-155 congregations in the state. As a result, Indiana Ministries has had a strong financial foundation and multiple staff including full and/or part-time associate state pastors. Indiana Ministries is one of the most influential state ministries in the nation.

It's important to note that that Indiana Ministries is a separate 501©3 from Church of God Ministries, the national organization of the Church of God based in Anderson, IN. Each organization has its own Board of Directors.

LEADERSHIP

Doug Talley, State Pastor

Prior to leading Indiana Ministries, Doug was a senior pastor in Indiana for over 25 years. Doug took a struggling congregation in Indianapolis and over his long and successful tenure grew it into a healthy and effective church on mission. During this time, Doug was very involved in a non-paid role with Indiana Ministries. And in this season, Doug intentionally developed many relationships with pastors and some churches across the state. The intentional investment in these relationships built the foundation for the role he now serves in. It was this experience as a local Church of God pastor in Indiana and his passion for seeing the "C" church thrive that he was able to leverage to change the leadership culture of Indiana Ministries.

Doug has diligently, passionately and faithfully filled this role of State Pastor since October 2008. He has instilled a fresh sense of vision and inspired increased church health and growth in Indiana across the Church of God movement.

Doug has made the decision to retire at the end of June 2023. With this in mind, the Board of Indiana Ministries embarked on a thoughtful and intentional approach to prepare for Doug's successor.

The leadership team at Indiana Ministries, currently reporting to Doug, includes the following individuals:

Jeff Matas - Associate State Pastor / State Pastor of Church Health

Tom Planck - Director of Multiplication

Jenene Lighty - Director of Administration & Credentialing

Carl Addison - Director of THRIVE

WHAT THEY DO

Indiana Ministries comes alongside pastors and congregations in the Church of God movement to empower and equip pastors and lay leaders to fulfill the great commission by making disciples.

The Church of God (headquartered in Anderson, Indiana) is a voluntary organization of locally autonomous congregations. The only formal authority Indiana Ministries has is through the credentialing of congregations and pastors. However, the staff at Indiana Ministries primarily functions in a relational manner.

The current leadership style is focused on intentionally developing, cultivating and maintaining relationships with pastors and congregations to earn the right to be an influencer and speak into their needs. It is through this approach that the team builds credibility through expertise so that both pastors and congregations consult Indiana Ministries for direction, trouble shooting, counsel, resourcing, and training.

A key focus of the staff currently is on building relationships with pastors of large and middle-sized Church of God congregations. Additionally, Indiana Ministries has taken a thoughtful approach to smaller churches in the movement and pastors.

Doug and his team have built relational influence by coming alongside pastors and congregations at times when they faced difficulty. This has been extremely evident in the past two years as many congregations across the State of Indiana have struggled through the impact of COVID across multiple dimensions.

These deep relationships over a long period of time have allowed Indiana Ministries to have significant influence for the Kingdom and broader impact during more stable seasons. Additionally, Indiana Ministries has intentionally cultivated and leveraged relationships with pastors and congregations that are highly influential in their community and in the state.

Indiana Ministries Headquarters

Indiana Ministries offices are located on the northeast side of Indianapolis in Fishers. The office rents a suite in The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters and there is a healthy relationship between the two organizations.

Fishers, Indiana is a vibrant community which has experienced significant growth over the last 10 years. This suburb of Indianapolis is frequently noted in national polls for its affordability, quality of life, workforce and business climate. Fishers is located on the I-69 corridor and is only a 30-minute drive to downtown Indianapolis.

The staff at Indiana Ministries live in various areas around Fishers, Indianapolis and Anderson. Schools in and around the Fishers area top-notch. Equally there is a wide variety of outdoors activities, concert venues, and restaurants all within 20 minutes of the Indiana Ministries headquarters.

THE OPPORTUNITY

State Pastor

Governance & Oversight

The State Pastor reports to the The Board of Directors of Indiana Ministries and the Indiana Ministries General Assembly of the Church of God.

Indiana Ministries follows a policy governance approach to leadership supervision and organizational management. The Board is ultimately responsible to see that Indiana Ministries accomplishes its mission. On a practical level, the Board negotiates annual goals with the State Pastor. The Board provides accountability for the State Pastor to ensure that agreed on goals are accomplished and that she/he leads the organization in compliance with Guiding Principles (which the Board develops in partnership with the State Pastor).

The State Pastor is the lone employee of the Board. He/she then bears full responsibility for the management of the organization and staff, as well as the pursuit of the mission and vision of the organization. This role is responsible for creating the overall culture, providing general leadership and the practical day to day operations including the hiring and firing, as well as general management of the staff.

First Year Wins

In the first year in the position, the next State Pastor will...

  • Relationship Building with Pastors & Churches: Intentionally build relationships with the IM staff, the members of the Board of Directors, volunteers who serve Indiana Ministries, key leaders, and pastors and churches in Indiana and other regional pastors. Participate with other regional pastors in the Regional Pastor Association and attend the annual retreat (January of each year).
  • Transition: Ensure smooth and successful transition with Doug's retirement. Develop a working understanding of Indiana Ministries’ mission, strategy, and culture in order to build into it and keep it current and relevant.
  • Goals: Develop and pursue the accomplishing of 100 day goals and first year goals intended to move Indiana Ministries towards mission accomplishment.
  • Consultation & Coaching Pastors and Churches: Begin developing a multi-year strategy for helping plateaued and declining churches develop a new life cycle by focusing them outwardly and on the mission of making more and better disciples. This may include building on the current strategy of church consultations and coaching or developing a new strategy. Current covenants with local congregations need to fulfilled if the decision is made to adopt a different strategy moving forward.
  • Multiplication: Partner with the Multiplication Director in order to encourage the launching of new multiplication venues in key areas around the state. Also, participate in the ongoing partnership with Ohio Ministries & Michigan Ministries in the Midwest Multiplication Initiative.
  • THRIVE: Partner with the THRIVE Director and participate in the annual THRIVE retreat. THRIVE is a ministry to pastors that is funded by a grant from the Eli Lilly Foundation that requires the completing of some key administrative requirements.
  • Leadership Development: Identify and host at least one state-wide training opportunity for pastors and/or churches. This could include bringing in an outside resource person or personally leading a workshop.
  • Expanding Kingdom Outside Indiana: Be open to opportunities to serve on national and/or international ministries & advisory board(s) that intersect the mission of Indiana Ministries. This may be more timely after the first year or two on the job.
  • Organizational: Consider downsizing the office to reduce operational footprint, invest in staff development, sponsor state youth convention & a tri-state leadership event for students, optimize the IM Credentialing Process and Procedures process, as well as any Administrative SOPs. Support the plan to digitize and automate office documents and Accounts Payable.

THE NEXT SEASON OF LEADERSHIP

The ideal State Pastor is:

  • A mature Christian experienced at discipling, developing, coaching and leading others
  • A humble leader who is willing to listen, learn and empower pastors within the Church of God movement
  • A visionary who inspires others, expands the mission of the Kingdom, casts an engaging vision for the future of Indiana Ministries and creates unity within the Church of God

POSITION PROFILE

State Pastor, Indiana Ministries

Accountable to:  The Board and to the General Assembly for the proper and legal conduct of the business of Indiana Ministries according to the policies established by the Board.

Supervisory Responsibility: Oversees the entire team for Indiana Ministries (full-time and contractors)

The State Pastor has the following direct reports:

Associate State Pastor / State Pastor of Church Health

Director of Multiplication

Director of Administration & Credentialing

Director of THRIVE

POSITION OVERVIEW

The State Pastor is recognized as a committed, visionary spiritual leader who empowers local churches and pastors of the Church of God in Indiana. He/She shall also be charged with the effective management of the ministries of Indiana Ministries of the Church of God, Inc. and shall partner interactively and directly with Indiana Ministries Board of Directors. The State Pastor shall work to enrich the Church of God in Indiana, and shall advance and deepen the unique partnership shared with Church of God Ministries, Inc. Indiana Ministries is a partnership of Indiana Church of God congregations and clergy that provides leadership, resources, and networking toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission. The State Pastor shall serve as ex-officio member of the Board, all committees, and other appointed entities. Mission: Accelerating Healthy Multiplication to transform Indiana and Beyond

As such, the State Pastor shall partner with Indiana churches and congregations and our state ministry teams, serving in the core value areas listed below. The State Pastor shall also provide direct oversight to the staff of Indiana Ministries, as detailed in the Indiana Ministries organizational structure. Further, the State Pastor shall serve as a representative for the Indiana Ministries at local, state, regional, national and international levels, as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES


Facilitation of Core Values

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP

The State Pastor of Indiana Ministries shall facilitate visionary leadership through demonstrated facilitation of the following:

  1. 1.A leader of leaders whose leadership demonstrates cross-cultural connections.
  2. 2.The ability to cast a compelling, God-honoring vision for the Indiana Ministries staff, state ministry teams, and congregations.
  3. 3.A commitment to team building through delegation and affirmation of other leaders to facilitate the accomplishment of compelling vision.
  4. 4.Give leadership to the establishment of specific, attainable and measurable goals and initiatives for the ministry teams that serve under the Indiana Ministries umbrella.
  5. 5.Directed ministry action which leads to the reproduction of new leaders.
  6. 6.Champion the cause of church and disciple multiplication with Indiana pastors and congregations.

CONTINUING EDUCATION/COACHING AND MENTORING

The State Pastor of Indiana Ministries shall facilitate a culture of coaching and mentoring through demonstrated facilitation of the following:

  1. 1.Serve as a model for continued personal and professional growth.
  2. 2.Serve as a mentor to the pastors of Indiana either directly or through the implementation of a coaching system.
  3. 3.Find themselves under the ongoing guidance of a personal mentor(s)/life coach.
  4. 4.Serve as an advisory member of state ministry teams. (All or part as determined through partnership with the Associate State Minister)
  5. 5.Serve as a resource and encourager of pastors and congregations in the promotion of church growth and health.
  6. 6.Direct/oversee an ongoing strategy for healthy conflict resolution within churches affiliated with Indiana Ministries.
  7. 7.Model a balanced life which honors both the call of ministry and the call to healthy family, including scheduling and taking appropriate vacation and personal time, and honoring the scriptural commitment to family first.

NETWORKING/COMMUNITY BUILDING WITH PASTORS AND CHURCHES

The State Pastor of Indiana Ministries shall facilitate a culture of healthy networking and community building among churches and pastors through demonstrated facilitation of the following:

  1. 1.Work with IM staff and ministry teams to develop the Indiana Ministries calendar of events.
  2. 2.Serve as the general editor of all publicity items for Indiana Ministries.
  3. 3.Lead by example through personal networking with Indiana churches and pastors across the economic, gender, and racial spectrum. Considering also that there are many churches of varying sizes and cultures, awareness and partnership shall be expected across this spectrum as well.
  4. 4.Take a lead role in Indiana Ministries' annual meeting, as well as being an active participant in other state/regional events sponsored by Indiana Ministries or other events connected with the Church of God, including State Youth Convention, area camp meetings, etc.
  5. 5.Provide active representation and engagement for the Church of God and Indiana Ministries at appropriate ecumenical settings.
  6. 6.Grow as a global Christian, cultivating personal and state involvement beyond the borders of Indiana and the United States, and encouraging pastors and churches to involve themselves in like manner.
  7. 7.Share with Indiana pastors and congregations opportunities for worship, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines.

QUALIFICATIONS

Theological/Doctrine

  • A committed follower of Jesus Christ whose life exhibits a consistent commitment to the Church of God Reformation Movement
  • A life that exhibits a willingness and passion to partner with and unite with the greater church
  • An ordained minister in good standing with the Church of God

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree required from an accredited institution of higher education
  • Masters or higher advanced degree preferred with work in related fields an asset

Additional Qualifications

  • A willingness to submit to a financial background check shall be required for final consideration
  • A track record of healthy relationships

Salary & Benefits

All salary and benefits for the State Minister shall be negotiated and overseen by the Board of Directors of Indiana Ministries.

Recognized legal holidays, vacation and personal days shall be dispensed per the policy outlined in the Indiana Ministries employee handbook.

CONTACT

Ready to take the next step?

If you are interested in exploring this further, please contact Toni McEwan.

[email protected]

317.767.4654