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PRESENTS

CO-LEAD MINISTER



wayzatacommunitychurch.org

HISTORY & CURRENT STATUS

Wayzata Community Church seeks to Inspire the world with the inclusive love of Jesus.

History

Wayzata Community Church (WCC) has been a vibrant faith community for more than 140 years. In 1881, twelve people covenanted together to plant a church out by the lake in the Western Suburbs of the Twin Cities.

WCC is among the top ten largest congregations of the United Church of Christ. Today we have grown to minister to nearly 3,000 confirmed members, as well as hundreds of children, young people, and friends of the congregation. It has become a physical and spiritual landmark in the lives of its members and the Wayzata community at large. Besides regular worship services, people come for musical events, author visits, summer camp, classes and workshops, scouting organizations, support groups, WCC’s Nursery School, the Annual Rummage Sale, and other community events.

Current Status

At Wayzata Community Church we have 4 distinct Worship Services each Sunday morning during the program year. In the Chapel, we have both a Communion service and a service called Parables that creates a "come as you are" worship space for people with Special Needs and their families. In the Sanctuary we have both a Contemporary and Traditional service featuring choirs, special music, and relevant messages. Pre-Covid, our worship attendance was on average 800 people.



 

You can experience our different worship services in our online worship experience here. (Not yet represented is our traditional communion service at 8 AM in our Chapel)

Outreach:

Local and international mission projects, summer camp, intercultural development working groups, and interfaith experiences mark our faith community as a place that desires to focus on reaching out and building relationships around the community.


We are looking to engage mission differently by using the Monday-Friday gifts of our congregation to support and grow good ideas to serve the world. We call this initiative DOUGH and we just awarded $200,000 to and are partnering with five social enterprises to bring hope, healing, mentoring, and jobs to people in the Twin Cities and around the world. 

Parables/Special Needs Ministry

We are committed to ministering to the special needs community and their families through relevant and impactful worship, meaningful activities, and supportive relationships like Best Buddies. One of the ways we live into our mission to share the inclusive love of Jesus is by creating space in our church for people with all abilities to connect in community and to grow in faith.

Family Ministries

Family Ministries are one of the pillars of the programmatic life of our church. A strong team of staff and lay leaders invest in regular Sunday and midweek programming for all ages and stages of life. Programs are oriented towards faith formation, building community, and walking the journey of life and faith together.

Our integrated family ministries include

  • Pre-K
  • K-5
  • Middle School
  • High School
  • Camp (3rd grade - College)
  • Adult Faith Formation

10 years ago, WCC established its own camping ministry. Each summer we provide six weeks of camp for elementary students, middle schoolers, high schoolers, and their friends. Our camp model has a built-in leadership component that gives young adults space to use their gifts to work and serve at camp. Summer camp is a strategic priority at WCC.


VISION & MISSION

We believe God is active in the world and that God has a specific calling and claim on our unique gifts, history, and resources as a church. Through our Vision and Mission we explicitly join God’s work in the world in moving toward a less divided and divisive world. You, as an individual, have the power to inspire the world by finding your own unique way of living out the call of our Vision and Mission.

Our Vision

Inspire the world with the inclusive love of Jesus.

Our Mission

  • To be a caring community drawn together by God’s grace and called to live out Christ’s love personally
  • To extend a welcome invitation to all people, embracing each other with uncompromising compassion
  • To challenge boldly our own complacency through courageous conversation and transformational worship
  • To share our extraordinary gifts relentlessly—near and far—through life-changing mission and service

Our Core Values

Enjoy Worship

The community we share and the good we do emanate from our joy-filled, life-changing times of gathered worship, as we bring our whole selves before God. “Come, worship the Lord, for we are God’s people.” (Psalm 9:6-7)

Live into Community

Everything in our world tells us to go it alone, but we believe God designed us to live in community. In this way, we share God’s magnificent love with one another. (Philippians 2:4)

Celebrate Difference

We see difference as an asset rather than a threat. We grow when we encounter people whose gifts and worldviews challenge and teach us. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

Embody Integrity

We seek to honor God by being the same in our inner lives as we are in the ones we show the world— both as individuals and as a community. (John 1:4-7)

Practice Grace

We live gently toward one another, assuming the best of one another as we work together. God offers us daily grace, and we in turn offer grace to each other. (Matthew 7:12)

Embody Generosity

We freely offer our whole selves—what we have and what we can do—to God and to one another. In the words of Jesus, “Where our treasure is, there our heart is also.” (Matthew 6:21)

Love Serving

We are not called to exist as a community of faith for our own benefit but to serve the world. (1 Peter 4:10)

THEOLOGICAL DISTINCTIVES

We Believe:

  • In God’s unconditional love and grace, which extends to all people
  • In Jesus Christ whose life reveals God’s redeeming work
  • In the Holy Spirit which brings us into closer harmony with God, creation, one another, and ourselves

Therefore, as Disciples We:

  • Follow the path of Jesus Christ, while respecting other pathways to God
  • Join together in community to learn, grow, and follow the ways of Jesus
  • Reach out in love to a world in need locally, nationally, and internationally
  • Find more grace with God in the search for meaning than we do in absolute certainty
  • Are united by God’s love, called to serve, and inspired to grow

Members of this Church aspire to bind together followers of Jesus Christ for the purpose of sharing in the worship of God and in revealing God’s will in the lives of humankind, individually and collectively, especially as that will is set forth in the life, teachings, death, and living presence of Jesus Christ.

This Church acknowledges Jesus Christ as savior and finds in the holy scriptures, interpreted by the Divine Spirit through reason and faith and conscience, guidance in matters of faith and discipline. 

The governance of this Church is vested in its members, who exercise the right of control in all its affairs. 

Members of this Church accept the obligations of mutual counsel, respect and cooperation involved in the free fellowship of the United Church of Christ and pledge to share its common aims and work, in the tradition of our Congregational heritage. 

Each member shall have the undisturbed right to follow the word of God according to the dictates of the member’s own conscience, under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. The following statements of belief, therefore, are not tests of membership, but express the spirit in which the Members interpret the word of God. 

Members believe in God’s unconditional love and grace that extend to all people through Jesus Christ, whose life reveals God’s redeeming work in the human family, and in the Holy Spirit that brings them into closer harmony with God, creation, one another and themselves. 

Members as disciples follow the path of Jesus Christ while respecting other pathways to God. They encourage each person’s individual spiritual journey embracing a variety of sacred practices. They reach out in love to those in need locally, nationally, and internationally. They find more grace in the search for meaning than in absolute certainty. They are united by faith, called to serve, and inspired to think.

Wayzata Community Church is a member of the United Church of Christ denomination.


LOCATION

Wayzata is located just 20 minutes west of Downtown Minneapolis in the beautiful Lake Minnetonka Area. Wayzata is a charming town with a number of specialty shops, boutiques, professional services, and restaurants. With a population of 3,688, Wayzata retains its small-town mystique while remaining a viable downtown community. Our church draws from Wayzata, as well as from many west metro communities, which share similar experiences and quality of life.

Extensive bike paths, "lake life", and parks all contribute to Wayzata and the surrounding areas being an easy place to regularly enjoy time outdoors in both warmer as well as in the colder months when cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice-fishing become more common actives. The highly-rated public schools in our area are incredibly attractive to many young families.

Minneapolis and St. Paul, also known as the Twin Cities, are home to more than 2.5 million people. Our Twin Cities have more professional live theaters, more live-theater seats, more theatre performances and productions per capita than any U.S. city outside New York, also surpassing other metropolitan areas of our size in the number and variety of performances in dance and music.

 

Minnesota is also a state of enterprise, evidence of which is plentiful. Although Minnesota has only 1.73 percent of the U.S. population, it is the headquarters of 4 percent of the country’s 500 largest publicly traded companies. Per capita, it has more Fortune 500 company headquarters—15 of them—than any other state. Nationally recognized companies include: Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, 3M, General Mills, Medtronic, Travelers Cos., Cargill, Ecolab and U.S. Bancorp. Minnesota also has 34 Fortune 100 companies (public companies with at least $1.63 billion in revenue)—more, on a per capita basis, than any state other than Connecticut.

The people and companies of the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs have a rich history of giving back to the community, both financially and through volunteerism. More than 46% of Twin Cities residents volunteer their time-the highest percentage of any U.S. city for the last five years.  The region is lauded as the most civically engaged in the nation, based on its exemplary levels of community engagement, voter turnout, and neighborhood interactions.

CHURCH CULTURE/STYLE

At Wayzata Community Church we are a church that embodies inclusivity not only theologically but also in the way we relate to one another. We are honoring of tradition, while being adaptable and flexible to move forward with current realities. We empower strong lay-leadership, while trusting and respecting the experience and training of our staff. We serve our community well and are a known, stable, and trusted presence.

Strategic Plan

A strategic plan was recently created, guided by Tod Bolsinger from Fuller Seminary. In working with different groups and leaders of our church, four strategic priorities were identified for this next season of ministry:

  1. 1.Fostering collaboration and organizational clarity: establishing collaborative governance, a clear infrastructure, and pursuing a Co-Minister leadership model.
  2. 2.Following the inspiring inclusive Jesus: sustaining a vibrant faith community that is nurtured, equipped, and grown through a faith formation process that connects faith to real life.
  3. 3.Engaging and serving our larger community: elevating others above ourselves, energizing inclusivity, belonging, and connection, and engaging with others to follow Jesus into a changing world.
  4. 4.Counting what counts: rethinking our metrics, reallocating our resources.

LEADERSHIP

Wayzata Community Church has a long history of long-tenured Senior Ministers. In June 2021, the Church Council voted unanimously to pursue a Co-Lead Minister model for WCC, with Danielle Jones as one of the Co-Leaders. With the current Senior Minister, John Ross retiring from pastoral ministry, this has opened up one of the Co-Lead Minister roles.

There is a large and effective staff team of 30. With the experience that many churches and other organizations have had of staff changeover during COVID, several of the staff are newer to the church. However, there is already great chemistry and partnership between those who have been on staff longer and those who are newer.

Co-Lead Minister, Danielle Jones:

As the Co-Lead Minister, Danielle will serve as your co-leader. Danielle started her ministry with Wayzata Community Church in May 2017. Having been ordained for 15 years, she has an MDiv from Fuller Seminary, and previously served in various roles including youth ministry, mission work, and as an Associate Minister. She has been married to Brian for 17 years, with two daughters who like to bike, dance, laugh, and eat ice cream together.

Danielle is known and respected at the church for her transparency, her ability to move initiatives towards results, her strong relational abilities and staff development as well as her great preaching. Danielle has long had a vision for the possibilities of a co-leadership model as the best way forward for church leadership. Her partner in this role will need to be a confident visionary who is humble enough to work collaboratively.


THE CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY

This is a great opportunity for a pastor who is looking to help an established church move into its next season, with available resources, a committed congregation, a great staff team, and high-capacity lay leaders, and a devoted clergy partner.

Wayzata Community Church is in a strong position to be poised for the future, with a building expectancy and anticipation for who they will be evolving into as a community.

Some of the upcoming challenges you'll have the opportunity to lead through include:

  • We have had a history of long-tenured senior ministers, with outgoing Rev John Ross completing his 17th year. The move to a co-leadership model will be a new experience for the church, and while many have embraced it, there is cautious apprehension amongst some. It will be critical for this new co-leader, in partnership with the lay leadership, to earn congregational trust for the model.
  • Helping to lead and develop a newer staff team in a church that has an awareness of its history and tradition yet is continuously evolving to meet changing needs.
  • Leading with flexibility as you navigate in a trusting relationship the dynamics of a co-leadership model, where specific responsibilities may need to adapt and change over time.
  • The Co-Lead Ministers will be responsible to bring to life the new strategic plan and build our adaptive capacity
  • The uncertainty of leading through the continuing difficulties of COVID are a reality here as they are for all churches.

The right leader will be excited by these challenges and the opportunity to utilize them as a part of helping to shape the next season in the life of this church.

POSITION PROFILE

Co-Lead Minister Position Description

THE CO-LEAD MINISTER MODEL

We believe, even before COVID, the complexity, opportunities, and challenges of our church were growing and changing.  We have determined that our church will be best led by a collaborative partnership between two senior ministers who bring complementary skills and strong leadership to our many ministries. Our model will pair a newly hired Co-Lead Minister with our current Minister of Mission & Congregational Life, Danielle Jones, as equal partners, sharing authority and responsibilities. Certain core ministries and responsibilities will be shared and certain ministries and activities will be the responsibility of a specific minister. These ministry responsibilities may change over time as the church responds to the changing needs of the world and our membership. The Co-Lead Ministers will be called positions. 

CO-LEAD MINISTERS SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES

The following ministries and duties will be shared by the Co-Lead Ministers:

  • Worship 
  • Preaching and Teaching at Each of the Various Worship Services
  • Pastoral Care
  • Sacraments and Ceremonies 
  • Vision & Strategy
  • Lay Leadership 

Both Co-Lead Ministers are members of the Executive Committee and ex-officio members of the Church Council.

DEDICATED RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Provide leadership for formulating vision and planning strategy to ensure the church remains relevant and vibrant
  • Advance organizational growth through increasingly more relevant and connected online and in-person worship and ministry and intentional fellowship 
  • Develop, lead, and nurture strong adult faith formation offerings that engage and support the congregation as they seek to strengthen their faith and their religious understanding
  • Work closely with the Associate Minister to use the gifts of WCC to address the needs of our community in relational ways and promote social justice and inclusion
  • Provide leadership for fundraising strategies and donor relations
  • Working in partnership with Danielle Jones and the Church Council, develop plans and resource models (staff, volunteers, annual budgets) that help WCC to achieve its strategic vision while ensuring the church operates with operational and financial prudence.
  • Perform other duties as requested by church leadership

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The Co-Lead Ministers report to the Church Council, specifically to the Moderator and the Executive Committee (lay leaders). Reporting to this Co-Lead Minister will be full-time Associate Minister Dan Stark, whose primary focus is social justice and inclusion, Director of Digital Arts & Worship and the Director of Music & Parables Worship (.9 FTE) as well as other staff supporting worship, music, and communications. 

PERSONAL QUALITIES

The personal qualities desired for this role fit within the church's core values.

  • Enjoy Worship
    • Gifted Communicator – Be an articulate leader with excellent public speaking, preaching, and writing skills.
  • Live into Community
    • Adaptable Posture – Be willing to grow in respectful leadership in response to a changing congregation and world.
  • Celebrate Difference
    • Displays Cultural Compassion & Competency - Commitment to equity and an ability and passion to minister to underserved communities. 
  • Embody Integrity
    • Inspirational Leader – Display integrity, a deep and abiding personal faith, and love for the church.
    • Lives with Integrity – Act in accordance with your words and be honest, trustworthy, and reliable. 
  • Practice Grace
    • Demonstrates Humility – Possess a strong sense of self-awareness and appreciate others' strengths and contributions. Be open to new ideas and feedback regarding one's performance. 
    • Collaborative Partner – Promote a mature, professional, and supportive approach in working with colleagues and staff. Confident and comfortable leading with an equal partner.
  • Embody Generosity
    • Exhibits Emotional and Social Intelligence - the ability to interact with others, regulate one's own emotions and behavior, solve problems, and communicate effectively.
  • Love Serving
    • Confident Visionary – Geared toward developing a clear future of the church with the ability to lead and manage change within a large organization.
    • Passionate Engagement – Possess a passion for the mission of the church and for people of all ages and abilities. 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master of Divinity required 
  • Ordination, with standing, (or willing to seek standing) in the United Church of Christ
  • At least eight years of ministry or related experience; Senior Minister experience preferred
  • Demonstrated success in initiating, co-creating, launching and administering strategic initiatives. 
  • Minimum of one unit (400 hours) of CPE, Clinical Pastoral Education, preferred

CONTACT

To find out additional information, please refer to the church’s website to learn more about the church, what they believe, to view online worship services, and learn about some of the ministries of the church.

If, after prayerfully reviewing this information, you sense this role and church culture could be a good fit for you, please contact :

Mike Goldsworthy - [email protected] - 562.209.1648