Grace PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CHURCH PROFILE | 2020

Glimpse of Grace: ONE church. ONE people. ONE vision. ONE mission

Grace Presbyterian is a PCA church formed in 1984 by families from various local congregations who were convinced of the need for sound Biblical teaching of Reformed theology in the Dalton area. Since that time, our sovereign God has graciously brought a large influx of Spanish speakers to Dalton and transformed Grace PCA into a church with a heart for true intercultural ministry. We are a family of 230 Jesus-followers who may have different primary language and skin color, but who embrace the goal of serving together as ONE “so that the world may believe” John 17:21.

As such, the vision of Grace PCA is to authentically reflect the love & glory of Christ as ONE church by engaging in rich joyful worship, generously loving each other, actively serving our community, and eagerly making disciples of all nations.

Grace PCA is currently looking for our next Senior Pastor to lead us in pursuit of this vision. We are so very pleased that you are interested in serving at Grace. We hope the following information will help introduce you to the life and ministries of Grace.

2 / GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

MISSION

3 / GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The Session at Grace would first like to introduce you to the particular methods by which we plan to accomplish our ONE vision:

1.A FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE

We believe that the Scriptures are an infallible guide for faith and practice. We are transformed into the image of Christ as we are changed by God’s revealed Word. Therefore, the preaching of the Word, and the corporate and private study of it are central to who we are.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:16

2.BEING INTENTIONALLY INTERCULTURAL

God, in His sovereign love and grace, made all of mankind - every nation, race, language, and people - in the glorious and beautiful image of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Collectively, we represent and reflect the Imago Dei. God has brought a large reflection of that image to Dalton and we seek to see that reflected in our church by intentionally incorporating the whole body of Christ in worship, service, fellowship, and charity - ONE church serving and living as ONE body.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28

3.EVANGELISM & OUTREACH

We believe that salvation through faith in Jesus Christ should result in a life lived for others as guided by the Holy Spirit. We desire to be Christ’s witnesses in our community and throughout the world. We will strive to provide opportunities for our members to further God’s kingdom and glorify Him by shining as lights in a dark world.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8

4 / GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

4.DISCIPLESHIP

We believe that followers of Christ should have an ever-growing relationship with Christ through the ministry of the Word, by work of the Holy Spirit, and in fellowship with a community of other believers. Small groups, Sunday School, and one-on-one relationships are important for personal growth as well as the growth of our whole church family. Grace Presbyterian will promote and provide an environment that encourages discipleship within the church body.

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2

5.COMMUNITY SERVICE

Scripture calls us to engage with our local communities. Grace PCA seeks to actively and joyfully serve our neighbors.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10

6.DYNAMIC CHRIST-CENTERED WORSHIP

Scripture resounds with the call to worship God. Our heart at Grace is for our worship of Father, Son and Spirit to be joyful, truthful, genuine, passionate, and transformative for us - and ultimately glorifying to our triune God.

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and truth, for the father is seeking such people to worship him. John 4:23

5 / GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

8.WELCOMING SPIRIT

Grace church desires to be experienced as a warm & welcoming family of believers to all our newcomers. Toward this end, we maintain active teams who are eager to introduce visitors into the life of our ONE church family.

Love you therefore the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deut. 10:19

7.CONGREGATIONAL CONNECTION & FELLOWSHIP

In order to build the emotional and relational bonds of connection which enable us to function as ONE family, Grace church makes it a priority to share meals together on a regular basis as well as planning a variety of other social outings and activities.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42

6 / GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF GRACEOur week at Grace begins on Sunday with 9:25 Sunday school and 10:30 morning worship. Our morning worship service is blended in both language and worship style.

Other activities within the week include:

SUNDAY EVENING Small groups and youth discipleship groups

FIRST MONDAY Noon Circle women’s lunch and Bible study

TUESDAY MORNING Women’s Bible study

TUESDAY EVENINGEnglish classes, women’s Bible study, mentorship program at Walker State Prison

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS GraceKids (preschool-5th grade), GraceWorx (6th-12th grade), children’s choir, adult choir, women’s Bible study (Spanish)

THURSDAY EVENING English classes, women’s Bible study, prayer group

FRIDAY EVENINGS Worship program at Walker State Prison

SECOND SATURDAY Women’s breakfast and fellowship

ANY DAY OF THE WEEK Pick-up soccer, basketball

7 / GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

LOVING OUR NEIGHBORS AND THE WORLDGrace PCA is currently involved with supporting a variety of 22 different ministry endeavors both in Dalton and across the globe. Details on some of those ministries include:

REBUILDING HOPE A disaster-relief and home repair ministry

GRACE MEDICALOUTREACH MINISTRIES A medical and home healthcare ministry

PRISON MINISTRIES Assistant Pastor Randy Jackson leads worship for inmates at 2 local prisons

OUTREACH EVENTS Easter Community Gathering, Cinco de Mayo, SportsCamp, 4th of July, FallFest

LOCAL MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT

City of Refuge, Women’s Enrichment Center, City Park Elementary food drop, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

MISSION TRIPS Short-term domestic and international missions

MISSION SUPPORT Financially assist missionaries in Chile, Ukraine, China, Jordan, and Haiti

MERCY MINISTRIES A special fund for people in financial need

COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT

Meal trains, bereavement care, transportation for special needs

8 / GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

OUR STAFF & LEADERSHIPGrace PCA is currently pursuing its vision under the following staff and leadership:

Interim Pastor

Full-Time Assistant Pastor/Pastor of Community Life

Part-Time Assistant Pastor/Director of Prison Ministry

Part-Time Director of Evangelism and Outreach (Bilingual)

Part-Time Director of Children’s Ministry

Part-Time Directors of Youth Ministry

Part-Time Director of Music (2)

10 Ruling Elders

4 Deacons

9 / GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

OUR HOMEGod has blessed Grace church with a lovely debt-free campus situated on 25 acres. Beyond our main building (which includes a fellowship hall and kitchen), we have a mission house to accommodate up to 40 people, a soccer field, a gymnasium, an outdoor playground, and a covered picnic pavilion. In addition to a quiet stream bisecting our campus, we also have a small pond in front of our sanctuary which is ideal for a cardboard regatta on July 4th.

Located just off Interstate 75, Dalton is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwest Georgia. The population of Dalton is 33,000+ and Whitfield County has a population of 104,000, approximately 50% Hispanic, 40% Caucasian, and 10% African-American/other (2010 Census info).

Dalton is known as the Carpet Capital of the World. The carpet industry is the largest

employer in the area, followed by health care and education. Dalton has a robust education community, including two colleges, as well as quality private and nationally-recognized public schools.

Recreational opportunities abound in the area due to the nearby mountains and lakes which offer hiking, mountain biking, boating, picnics, etc. Dalton has a rich cultural presence as well, including community theater, arts, music, and restaurants. With only 25 miles to Chattanooga and 75 miles to Atlanta, the opportunities of a larger city are easily accessible. Our corner of God’s world has its own beauty, history, and varied activities.

More importantly, opportunities abound for ministry through God’s grace, by His power and for His glory.

www.daltonchamber.org

10 / GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SENIOR PASTOR JOB DESCRIPTIONGrace PCA is seeking a Senior Pastor with the following skills and qualities:

PERSONAL

• Is an example of personal holiness, devotion to Christ, integrity, and humility. • Interacts with others in an approachable and compassionate manner, exemplifying the

fruits of the spirit. • Is characterized by a bold, gracious transparency of his own needs for grace that

encourages his flock to turn their own hearts to Christ.• Has passion for multi-ethnic, intercultural ministry.• Has a strong work ethic marked by dependability, commitment, and servant leadership. • Is comfortable taking initiative and strategically leading to meet the vision of the church.• Forward-thinking.• Able to coach and collaborate with others to reach goals and find solutions.• Leads and cares for his family with Christ-like love and grace. His family demonstrates

love and respect for him coming/emerging from a consistent life lived at home.

PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD

• Able to preach and teach the whole counsel of God’s Word in love, transparency, passion, and conviction

• Skilled in expository preaching that lends itself to practical application• Committed to helping the congregation develop a passion for Scripture and its application

to daily life• Focused on evangelism. Instructs members on how to be evangelistically-minded and

evangelistically-involved• Collaborates with the Session on developing preaching and teaching schedules and

themes that address the spiritual needs of the congregation

CONGREGATIONAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

• Train, encourage and motivate leaders and members to build and grow a gospel-centered, missionally-driven, interculturally-engaged congregation.

• Provide training, encouragement & support to church leadership (Elders, Deacons, Team Leaders).

• Promote opportunities for congregational connection and fellowship where members get to know, love, and support one another.

• Train and mobilize leaders and members in evangelism and other ministry initiatives• Provide compassionate counsel & visitation as needed, involving leaders as much as

possible.• Willingly walks into complex problems with grace and delicacy; able to say hard things

and confront sin with love and grace.• Communicate openly and effectively with staff, leaders and congregation.

11 / GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

MINISTERIAL & STAFF LEADERSHIP

• Lead and works with the Session as a leader among equals in developing and pursuing the vision and mission of Grace PCA. Is able to moderate the Session and provides input in planning for meetings, ministries, and church business that is collaborative and unifying.

• Collaborate with staff and Session to create and maintain an atmosphere of rich participatory worship.

• Effectively manage staff to ensure unified and collaborative pursuit of the church vision and mission.

• Provide ongoing development and evaluation to staff and other ministry leadership.• Skilled at effectively delegating and equipping others to do ministry.• Is able to work with the diaconate to manage the church ministry budget.

APPLICATION PROCESSOnce again, we are very pleased that you are interested in serving with us at Grace Presbyterian Church. We ask that you submit the following items to rhondampeters@gmail.com to begin the application process:

Cover letterResumeMinisterial Data Form

Together for Him,

Grace PCA Senior Pastor Search Committee

Kyle IrwinJim McCoyPeyton McDanielCarol McLawhornRhonda Peters – Co-ChairDavid Stevens – Co-ChairMayra Smith Rob Woodard