Designated Pastor Position
for the English Worshipping Community
General Information
Ministry Name: Presbyterian Church in Chinatown Presbytery: San Francisco Synod: The Pacific Email: info@pccsf.org Preferred Phone: 415-392-1500 Website Address: www.pccsf.org Mailing Address: 925 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108-1607 Community Type: Urban Congregation or Organization Size: 101-250 members Average Worship Attendance: 70 Church School Attendance: 35 Intercultural Composition: Asian/Pacific Islander/South Asian: 93%, White: 5%, Multiracial: 2%
Position Requirements
Position Type: Solo Pastor: Installed Experience Required: 5 to 10 Years Employment Status: Full-time Language Requirements: English Other Languages: Chinese (Cantonese and/or Mandarin desired, but not required Statement of Faith required?: Yes Are you open to a clergy couple?: No MDP Application Deadline (if applicable): 2023-07-31
Mission Statement
The English Worshiping Community of the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown is a community of faith, biblically grounded and acting faithfully in the spirit of Micah 6:8 “to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.” We are a Matthew 25 worshiping community, committed to lifting up the three priorities identified by the PC(USA): building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty. We strive to nurture and support our members through every age and season of life. We are committed to bearing witness to Jesus Christ and sharing his love and justice, starting with the San Francisco Chinatown community and extending out into the world.
Vision for Ministry
As the first Chinese American Presbyterian church in North America, the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown (PCC) has embraced the Reformed tradition in theology and practice, and proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ. PCC has worked to meet the needs of the Chinatown community through evangelism and service for over 150 years. Our English Worshiping Community (EWC) is committed to continuing this legacy, while also evolving to meet the needs of PCC members and the surrounding community towards spiritual formation and growth, and a just and loving world. The EWC strives to become a vibrant Asian American Presbyterian church that practices radical welcome and inclusion, called to preach and practice Christ’s healing, hope and abundance in all seasons of life. In our Mission Study Report of July 2022, the following goals and vision were identified by our English Worshiping Community as the highest priority for us. They are not ranked in order of importance: • Strengthen our identity as an Asian American Matthew 25 church, by strengthening congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty • Build stronger relationships with the PCC Cantonese and Mandarin Worshiping Communities. • Continue to engage in missional action, beginning in Chinatown and extending into the world • Continue investing in our hybrid model of church, to support meaningful in-person and online worshiping community connections and experiences
Community Context
San Francisco Chinatown is the densest urban neighborhood west of Manhattan, NY. Of the 20,000 people living in the center of Chinatown, more than one-half are over 60 years old. 70% have a high school education or less. Of total households, 80% speak Asian languages, which implies 1st generation immigrants. Over 6,200 housing units are single-room occupancy (SRO) units. One-third of Chinatown households live in poverty. The COVID pandemic presented many challenges to the Chinatown community. Amid rising anti-Asian sentiment and hate crimes, it remains to be seen how the community - and the church - will evolve and respond to the many post-pandemic challenges and changes ahead. PCC originally opened its doors to a primarily Cantonese-speaking immigrant population, whose members faced segregation, oppression and racism. Throughout its history and up to the present, PCC has placed an emphasis on prophetic faith at work in society. For over a century, it partnered in ministry with Donaldina Cameron House, a Presbyterian mission located two blocks away. The church has a long tradition of supporting social services, affordable housing, youth programs, and other justice ministries, while proclaiming the Gospel in worship, prayer, study, work and fellowship. Recent ministries include a weekly food distribution pantry, adult English language classes, support for children and families who live in Chinatown’s crowded SRO units, and advocacy for the rights of immigrants and the unhoused.
Skills, Gifts and Training Needed for Position
The EWC requires a solo pastor who: ● Respects & supports our identity as an Asian American Matthew 25 church, including our vision & goals set forth in the Mission Study Report. Our pastor must provide the leadership required to work towards and operationalize those goals. ● Has deep theological & spiritual grounding and is able to teach, preach, and proclaim the Word in sermons, Bible study, & Christian education. Our worship requires a biblically focused, effective leader who can engage, inspire and challenge us while furthering our discernment of God’s will, both for ourselves as individuals and for us as a beloved community. ● Is skilled in pastoral care and can build meaningful connections with our members at each age and season of life. 68% of our membership is age 56 and older. We have few youth & young adults, and even fewer children; one of our goals as a Matthew 25 church is to achieve congregational vitality, including attracting younger generations of families & individuals. ● Is a manager, who can negotiate the complexities of a church with 3 language communities; provide support & guidance to our working committees & fellowship groups; facilitate ongoing communication channels; nurture & support lay leadership; ensure the maintenance and repair of our church building; read financial spreadsheets & understand financial sustainability and management; and be able to sufficiently use technology as a tool for today’s ministries.
Responsibilities
Major categories of responsibility are: VISION & MISSION: Endorse EWC’s Mission Statement, our status as an Asian American Matthew 25 church, and our vision & goals as set forth in the Mission Study Report; Provide leadership, inspiration, and guidance as we work towards our vision & goals; Demonstrate skill in programming and administration to operationalize these goals; Engage in advocacy and collaboration with other churches, agencies, & community-based organizations, and represent PCC at community events. WORSHIP & NURTURE: Plan worship; preach; serve Communion; Plan, lead, & support Christian education, Bible studies, retreats, & new member classes. PASTORAL CARE: Support and visit those in need; Provide pre-baptism, pre-marital, & grief counseling; Officiate at baptisms, weddings, and memorial services; Strengthen our skills in evangelism; Provide ongoing support and development of Deacons & Elders. CHURCH ADMINISTRATION: Maintain membership in and attend meetings of the Presbytery of San Francisco; Provide leadership development; Participate in meetings with Mandarin & Cantonese pastors; Moderate monthly English Commission meetings & EWC congregational meetings; Participate in all EWC and pertinent PCC committee meetings; Supervise part-time administrative staff or volunteers; Organize and/or delegate Session agenda, planning & documentation; moderate Session meetings on rotation.