Other Details

Ruggles Baptist Church is prayerfully pursuing a pastoral resident to both serve the church and to be served by the church as he receives hands-on pastoral experience to further his training and development. The hope is that this would be a transitional role to prepare the candidate to be sent out to revitalize a local church in Greater Boston or New England.

This role is a “generalist” one, including all areas of pastoral ministry from preaching to pastoral care, worship planning, and administration. In addition to serving Ruggles, there will be extensive opportunities to learn through reading and discussion with both the senior pastor and other local area pastors, as well as through preaching and ministry opportunities in other local churches in Boston. The ideal candidate for this position is a man who is preparing for vocational ministry and who desires hands-on training in the hopes of pursuing a church revitalization opportunity in Greater Boston or New England.

A historic Boston congregation, Ruggles Baptist Church has itself been in an ongoing process of renewal over the past 6 years, and would benefit significantly from an additional pastor/elder while also serving as an ideal place for preparation and sending. Ruggles sits in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, MA, and is in relationship with numerous churches—urban, suburban, and rural—that have need for revitalization. We have both great need for laborers to join in this work and great opportunities for making Christ known in New England.

Timeline:

• Year 1: Settling into Greater Boston and in serving at Ruggles Baptist Church.
• Year 2: Begin seeking pulpit supply opportunities particularly through local American Baptist Churches in need of renewal.
• Years 3-4: Intentionally pursuing pulpit supply opportunities and connections with other local churches for the purpose of being called as senior pastor of a church in need of renewal.

Ministry Responsibilities:

• Serving as an elder.
• Preaching 10-15 times each year, including providing input into larger sermon series and/or planning his own shorter series.
• Planning and Leading Equipping Seminars.
• Draft discussion questions for weekly Community Groups.
• Leading worship through prayer, the Lord’s Supper, and music (if able).
• Discipling and raising up leaders and prospective elders.
• Providing leadership and oversight to deacons.
• Pastoral care (visitations, hospital visits, etc.) as opportunities arise.
• Participate in church membership process, including teaching and interviews.
• Assist with building management, communications, and other administration.

Residency Training:

• Reading books, writing reflection papers, and discussion with Senior Pastor and other staff on theology, ecclesiology, church revitalization, and church administration.
• Participating in TABCOM (The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts) denominational events and opportunities.
• Attending the annual New England Pastors’ Retreat (Fall) and Simeon Trust Workshop (Spring).

Qualifications:

• Must meet the biblical qualifications of elder in 1 Timothy and Titus.
• Must affirm the Ruggles Baptist Church statement of faith and have a reformed theological understanding of Scripture.
• Must demonstrate a heart for and call into full-time church revitalization ministry in New England.
• Must understand that this is a full-time ministry commitment.
• Must fundraise some of his support.
• Must have a Master of Divinity degree, equivalent, or in process.
• Must submit to a background check and provide three references plus an additional church reference from where he is currently a member.

Compensation:

Ruggles will provide $50,000 in annual compensation (for salary, housing, insurance, and retirement). The resident is to raise the remaining balance as needed.

For more information or to apply, please send a brief cover letter and resumé to Rev. Joshua Cahan, [email protected].