Pastor of the American Church in Berlin

Job Description:

Location:

• Berlin, Germany

Assignment Includes:

• Provide pastoral leadership for the American Church in Berlin (ACB)
• Revitalizing and reconnecting after a difficult pastoral transition
• Foster and build very strong sense of fellowship and inclusion within the ACB congregation community
• Provide pastoral care and counseling, enable and nurture spiritual growth within the context of a multicultural congregation and community
• Support and enhance Christian education programs
• Develop and support lay leaders for service in ACB’s ministry and programs
• Provide guidance and support for ACB’s future development and help define the direction of our ministry and congregational life - including strengthening interactions with our external community, interfaith project, and local missions
• Supervise staff including volunteers and possible future Horizon International Intern

Site Information:

The congregation is situated in the Northern part of the Schöneberg district of Berlin. It is close to the city center and the immediate neighborhood is undergoing a process of gentrification, as witnessed by new housing and city park developments immediately to the north and east of the church. There is also a new growth of galleries and artist communities moving into the neighborhood. The congregation has lively and well visited Sunday worship services.

The congregation is reflective of the global Christian community and this makes for a truly unique worshiping congregation. The congregation sees itself as a model for international ministry in Berlin.

The congregation has a long and varied history, throughout which we have maintained a good relationship with the ELCA. For the past forty plus years ACB has called its pastor from the ELCA roster or its predecessor bodies. This has been a valuable relationship and is memorialized in our constitution. We also value the Lutheran liturgy, Lutheran educational materials for our Sunday school, and Lutheran music and hymnals. We are recognized for our ecumenical work in the wider German church and through involvement in ecumenical and inter-religious groups in Berlin.

The congregation at ACB spans a wide demographic ranging from long-term members who consider Berlin their primary (permanent) home and have been in the congregation for years, to others who are highly mobile and transitory. The families at ACB tend to be younger, with younger children who require religious education at the lower grade levels. The number of seniors in the congregation is small, and the pastor does not spend as much time working with shut-ins and the hospitalized as he/she would in other circumstances. Today, while the forces driving the change are different, the Berlin community continues to change and so does ACB as well.

Experience and Skills:

• MDiv required, with ordination
• Minimum 5 years of experience
• Previous experience in supervising Word and Sacrament interns is helpful
• Basic German is a plus (further education can be provided)

Terms and Conditions:

Terms and Conditions will be outlined with the American Church in Berlin.

If Candidate is Married:

Both must complete an application for this position, even if the spouse will not be fulfilling a specific role in the ministry. In the context of global mission service, a spouse is seen as a representative of the ELCA and of the receiving church regardless of their actual role. It is important that both members of a couple understand the role of missionary and are comfortable with that reality.

General Qualifications for ELCA Global Personnel:

• Christian faith and a commitment to the mission of the church
• Openness to various expressions of Christian faith and respect for people of other faiths
• Respect for beliefs, values and customs of church and culture where assigned
• Well-developed inter-personal skills demonstrating understanding and compassion
• Demonstrated ability to carry out the responsibilities and the ability to adapt to different standards and practices
• Ability to work within the framework of a local administration
• Adaptable and flexible - sense of humor - good physical and emotional health
• Live and serve in a way which reflects the vision and expectations of the ELCA