Pastor of English Ministry at a Chinese-American Church

Nestled in an upper-middle class suburban community in the northern tip of Delaware is an English speaking congregation within a church founded by Chinese immigrants.  Over the decades, slow but steady progress grew this congregation into not just a band of middle and high schoolers but also a fledgling college group and a growing circle of adult believers and seekers.  This congregation encompass first, second, and third generation Asian immigrants as well as some non-Asian Americans. Cross-cultural couples also make up an important ministry focus.  The congregation is on a growth trajectory and has dedicated co-workers in every group.  This congregation is searching for a pastor to work in this unique niche in the kingdom of God through teaching, discipleship, and counseling.

The key responsibilities of this position involve preaching and teaching, conducting ordinances, (e.g., baptism, Holy Communion, etc.),  visitation, counseling and extending hospitality to people.

The expectation of this pastor is leadership, teaching, discipling, and counseling. The pastor should preach as well as plan and execute curriculum and events in alignment with the English Ministry mission.  He should also review the ministry progress with the board and lay leaders.  The pastor will need to be a team player and a communicator.  It is not expected that the pastor will do everything himself, but he must be able to train and equip coworkers and delegate responsibilities.  The pastor would find the time to connect with both believers and seekers outside of church activities.  The pastor’s family should become an integral part of this family of God.  The pastor is also expected to collaborate with the youth minister, the pastoral assistant, and all lay English Ministry co-workers.  He is also to coordinate events with the Mandarin ministry pastor and the children’s ministry director.  

Outside of the heart of a shepherd, love of connecting with people, and love of learning, organizational skill is one of the most important criteria in this position.  It is expected that in the interview process, the prospective candidate provides a self-evaluation on his strengths and weaknesses as a pastor and as a team player.  

Founded in 1981, Wilmington Community Evangelical Church (WCEC) is a bi-cultural and bilingual (Mandarin Chinese and English) church committed to building up the kingdom of God among the Chinese and friends of the Chinese in northern Delaware and the surrounding Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.  Average Sunday attendance is around 360 of which ~50 people attend the English Sunday service.  A typical English Sunday service includes youth, parents of the youth, college students, young professionals, and adults.   The church currently has a Mandarin ministry pastor, youth minister and a full time children’s minister.  

Average attendance at the weekly youth ministry Friday activity is about 50.  There is a handful of college students from the University of Delaware.  The adults meet at Sunday school, at a weekly Bible study, and at a monthly Cross-Cultural Couples Fellowship.  Knowledge of Mandarin Chinese is an advantage but not a necessary qualification of the candidate.  

The vision of the church is “Mission and Planting ?????”.  Two churches have been planted at West Chester, PA [West Chester Chinese Evangelical Church  ???????] and at Bear, DE [New Castle Chinese Evangelical Church  ?????] in 2000 and 2007, respectively, with steady growth witnessed in both.

The mission statement for the English congregation:  To forge a purposeful and vibrant church that bridges Asian American Christians to the local community through meaningful service and engagement.

General Qualifications

• Evangelical faith
• Education: Master of Divinity
• Degree or training in psychology or counseling
• Agreement with WCEC’s statement of faith

Personal Characteristics

• Passionate about living a life of faith in Jesus Christ
• Enjoys connecting with people
• Practices hospitality frequently
• Love of learning and teaching

Ministry Experiences

• Preaching and planning preaching calendar
• Leading seekers to become believers
• One-on-one discipleship
• Provide words and acts of comfort and encouragement to individuals

Specific Responsibilities

• Share the pulpit responsibility.
• With key elders, deacons, and coworkers, plan and execute the ministry in accordance with the mission statement.
• Evaluate and report progress and missed opportunities.  
• Affirm in others any evidence of improvement.  
• Identify areas in need of change, with oneself and with others.
• Encourage, support and train coworkers.  Recruit new ones.
• Know the spiritual, physical, mental, and social needs and strengths of adult members and regulars.
• Define and track personal discipleship progress with all adults.
• Organize meetings with coworkers.  
• Attend church-wide ministry meetings, such as monthly meetings of the church Board of Elders and Deacons, etc.   
• Foster connections with the local network of pastors and churches.  
• Help connect our church to the local community of churches and Christian organizations especially when such connections adds to our church’s meaningful service and engagement in the local communities.