CPC Church Information Form (CIF)

Note: This Church Information Form (CIF) was produced to aid the search for a new Associate Pastor for Central Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, MD. It was approved in February 2004. Central Presbyterian Church is an evangelical congregation of the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA).

The mission of Central Presbyterian Church reflects a mutual understanding that a personal and deepening relationship with Christ permeates all areas of our lives. As the Apostle Paul stated, "I in Christ and Christ in me." Our mission statement is "Moving people toward Christ by being a community of faith which loves, encourages, and equips them in Christ, sending them out to serve."

This mission of loving, encouraging, equipping, and sending requires both faithfulness and flexibility. With a long-standing reputation for evangelical consistency, we foster creativity as we work toward greater diversity in our congregation, better relationships in our neighborhoods, and new ways to serve our city. This calls for a new mindset, one that goes beyond thoughtful sermons, biblical teaching, friendly greeters, and inspirational music in describing our church. To that end, we desire to become "A Church Without Walls", where members of the church are equipped to serve on the front lines of Christian ministry where they live, work, and play. The impact of our witness extends far beyond the edge of our property.

1. Please write a brief description of your church/organization programs or accomplishments.

Central Presbyterian Church (CPC) is an active, Christ-centered community with a heart for worship, service and spiritual formation. CPC offers both traditional and contemporary worship settings that are relevant to our social context and retain the essential elements of glorifying God. We offer discipleship and outreach-oriented ministries for children, students, young adults, seniors, women and men. CPC places a high priority on small group ministries and Christian education.

Central seeks to reach beyond the walls of our sanctuary in suburban Baltimore. We enjoy partnerships with urban churches in social justice and racial reconciliation ministries. CPC serves the poor in Baltimore through Habitat for Humanity, Prison Fellowship and numerous local ministries. About one-third of our budget helps support 80 missionaries and 11 seminaries worldwide, and we encourage our members to participate in short-term missions.

Central is a generous church with a unified budget of over $1.5 million. Over the past ten years, we have enjoyed sustained growth in leadership and ministry activity. CPC strengthens its leaders through quarterly Filling Stations, events designed to equip and inform.

Please visit our website (www.CentralPC.org) for a comprehensive view of the ministries at CPC.

2. Describe what gifts, skills and experiences your congregation possesses to fulfill its mission.

Central is blessed with many mature, knowledgeable and enthusiastic believers who journey individually and corporately toward wholeness in Christ. The passion to know God and make Him known permeates CPC. Prayerful reliance on God remains Central's greatest source of strength. This was evidenced by continued growth even while waiting 30 months for our new Pastor.

Central has grown stronger through its experience and heritage. Founded in 1853 and relocated to Towson from Baltimore City in 1948, CPC has flourished. In 2001, we added a third service to provide authentic worship for the changing post-modern generation. A fourth service is being planned because of our continued growth. Utilizing the Forty Days of Purpose campaign and the Alpha course, CPC continues in its efforts to reach beyond its walls and remain faithful to Christ.

CPC has a well-maintained, flexible facility centrally located in Towson and bordering Baltimore City. We are preparing for our next building campaign, which will help accomplish our mission of Moving People Toward Christ. Several colleges are nearby including Johns Hopkins, Loyola and Goucher, and Towson University is within walking distance.

3. What are the key theological issues of our church and society that are reflected in the ministry of your congregation/organization?

Central is an evangelical, outwardly focused congregation that values its Reformed roots. CPC holds two theological beliefs as non-negotiable. First, Jesus Christ is the One and only Son of God, and through Him alone one can receive salvation. Second, the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, authoritative Word of God. These core beliefs form the basis of our worldview. They inform, inspire and encourage our theological and ministerial decisions to be evaluated by Scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Our church community actively seeks to obey God's call in all areas of life, faith and ministry. Our goal is to help each member discover his or her spiritual design and purpose, and to encourage a closer relationship with Christ through worship, spiritual disciplines and active service for His Kingdom. Recognizing changing demographics and emergent cultures within our community, CPC continues to seek relevant ways to share the love of Christ with others. In summary, our work reflects Jesus' command to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Name	Peter K. Nord
Address	5400 Loch Raven Blvd, Baltimore MD 21239
Phone Numbers	410-433-2012; 800-511-0087
Relation	Executive Presbyter
E-mail	pnord@baltimorepresbytery.org

Name	Jerry Cooper
Address	2304 Antonio Avenue, Camarillo, CA 93010
Phone Numbers	405-484-0530
Relation	Immediate Past Associate Pastor
E-mail	jcooper@trinitycamarillo.org

Name	George Antonakos
Address	Paoli Presbyterian Church, 225 South Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301-1933
Phone Numbers	610-644-8250 / 610-695-0247 (fax)
Relation	Immediate Past Interim Pastor for 30 months (2000-2003)
E-mail	george.antonakos@paolipres.org

A. Major Responsibilities: For what specific tasks, assignments, program areas will this person have responsibility?

The Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Equipping Ministries will:

1. Provide leadership in ensuring that people experience a coherent process of spiritual formation in the life of the church;
2. Develop a large, well-prepared core of lay leaders who grow and serve in all ministry areas of the church; and,
3. Work with the Equipping Ministry Team, Adult Christian Education Team, and the Small Group Ministry Team to fulfill the Mission and Vision of the church.

In connection with these major responsibilities, the ideal candidate will:

• Lead the church in championing the need for excellent equipping ministries.
• Promote and develop small group ministries of the church.
• Work with the Equipping Ministry Team to develop and maintain a process that will prepare, connect and equip people for ministry and that will identify and grow new leaders.
• Insure that the information and support required for successful implementation of an equipping ministry process is current and accessible.
• Participate regularly in worship leadership.
• Preach periodically (6-10 times annually).
• Teach within the life of the church.
• Officiate weddings, funerals and baptisms as requested.
• Develop personal spiritual ministry.
• Assume general pastoral duties as assigned by the pastor.
• Moderate Session in pastor's absence and/or discretion.
• Supervise several members of church staff.

B. Description of characteristics and qualifications needed in a person who would fill this position:

First and foremost, a candidate must have a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ and display evidence of the Holy Spirit through desires, goals, attitudes and past accomplishments. This is an ordained individual with a strong biblical foundation and knowledge, who possesses a passion for releasing God's people into ministry. A proven background in equipping others according to their giftedness and resulting in laity-driven ministries is vital. This candidate will possess the gift of leadership in a team-based environment. The individual will be an effective communicator who motivates others to achieve our mission. A firm belief in the priesthood of all believers and a commitment to engaging others in spiritual growth through Christian service is crucial. Other important qualities include compassion, authenticity, humility, and a strong relational focus. Prayer must be strongly valued and practiced, and flexibility will be essential.

Primary Skill Choices

Select up to 10 skills from the list below. At least 1 skill, but not more than 4, must be marked as "Required". In addition, at least 1 skill must be marked as "Desired".

Compensation And Housing

Please note, the request is for Cash Salary only. Do not include housing or any other allowances, do not answer "negotiable". A range is needed for matching purposes. The maximum cash salary is not published anywhere.

Minimum Cash Salary   $ 42,000
Maximum Cash Salary  $ _________

Housing Type

__ Manse
_X Housing Allowance $20,000
__ Open To Either
__ Not Applicable (For diversified positions only)

Geographic Choices

Unlimited

Equal Employment Opportunity

"(The Committee on Ministry) shall provide for the implementation of equal opportunity employment for ministers and candidates without regard to race, ethnic origin, sex, age, marital status, or disability. In the case of each call, it shall report to the presbytery the steps in this implementation taken by the calling-group." (G-11.0502g)

"...Care must be taken(by the Pastor Nominating Committee) to consider candidates without regard to race, ethnic origin, sex, or marital status, age, or disabilities." (G-14.0502b)

FORMS OF GOVERNMENT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) See Also: Form of Government G-10.0102n, G-11.0502d, G-13.0201b

For Clergy Positions Only

Every Presbytery Committee on Ministry is to inform each Pastor Nominating Committee of its constitutional obligations and how it might assure fairness in the calling process.

Has the presbytery's Committee on Ministry thus counseled with the Pastor Nominating Committee regarding Equal Employment Opportunity?

X   Yes     __ No

Each Pastor Nominating Committee is expected to undertake its search for a minister in a manner consistent with the good news that in the Church "...as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Has the Pastor Nominating Committee affirmed to the Presbytery Committee on Ministry its intention to follow the Form Of Government in this regard?

X   Yes     __ No

Pastor Nominating Committee Or Search Committee Chairperson Details

Rev. 2/2004