Lead Pastor

Soma Eastside Position Description

Lead Elder 

Soma Eastside is searching for our next Lead Elder (Pastor) to join a committed team of Elders, Deacons and Staff in accomplishing our vision. Our next leader will be deeply committed to the proclamation and practice of the revealed word of God, able to navigate across cultures to bring all into fellowship as we seek to experience Christ in community and follow His teachings. 

This leader will have experience in leading collaborative teams, possess strong organizational skills, and have the ability to equip the church family to engage with their communities for the sake of the Gospel. They will have a desire to engage with other churches and organizations, both local and global, to demonstrate unity and create joint initiatives which further the demonstration and proclamation of the word in our community and beyond. 

Our Vision:  

Soma Eastside exists to make disciples who seek Jesus together and inhabit the Eastside with His saving power and presence. We desire to experience Christ in community, engaging with one another and welcoming those in our circle of influence to join us in following Jesus​ as His disciples. 

Summary:  

Soma Distinctives: 

A place where...​ 

• The name of Jesus is lifted high​ 
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• People from disparate backgrounds feel welcome​ 
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• The richness of the global Church is celebrated 

A community that...​​ 

• Experiences Christ in community with fellow believers, growing in maturity as disciples of Jesus 
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• ​Experiences Christ in community with those who do not yet believe, demonstrating the love and message of Jesus and inviting them on the journey​ 

A picture of...​ 

• Followers of Jesus on mission together as they journey towards knowing Christ intimately and live for His kingdom.​ 

The Role of Lead Elder 

• The Lead Elder will serve as the first among equals on a team of elders. As an elder he devotes himself to prayer and the ministry of the Word. He manages his own family well, his life is consistent with the Elder qualifications found in I Timothy 3, Titus 1, I Peter 5, and Acts 20. 
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• The Lead Elder confidently believes, lives, and proclaims the Gospel. 
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• The Lead Elder is called to serve Jesus by overseeing various ministries of the church paying special attention to coaching volunteers and staff to bridge diverse cultures on the Eastside. 
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• The Lead Elder, together with the elders, is responsible for the teaching ministry of Soma. 
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• The Lead Elder affirms and supports the Soma Membership Covenant. 

Elder Leadership 

• Lead the Elders with grace and humility, overseeing monthly Elder meetings and keeping them informed of developments and challenges within the church, staff, or community. 
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• Invite Elders into discussion and discernment about areas of vision and direction for the church. 
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• Oversee a spiritual qualification discernment track for potential elders and deacons within the church body. 

Areas of Oversight   

Staff 

o Lead and manage staff in serving the needs of the congregation and community as we build bridges to diverse cultures on the Eastside. 

o Evaluate and develop staff, proactively design and adjust role descriptions and encouraging professional development 

o Coach staff toward meeting ministry goals in their areas of responsibility. 

o Provide visionary leadership and work in collaboration with staff for creation and execution of community gatherings.

Community Engagement 

o Strive to see every person who calls Soma Eastside their home in a community group. 

o Invest in Community Group Coaches to ensure consistent vision is executed well.

o Assisted by the Elders, facilitate regular group training, check-ins, and strategic help. 

o Equip group leaders to build bridges to diverse cultures on the Eastside. 

o Coach and lead deacons towards caring for the spiritual and physical needs of the congregation and community. 

o Engage with the broader regional and local community, including building relationships with other churches and organizations 

Counseling Ministry 

o Overall responsibility for evaluation and referral to appropriate care. 

o Create systems of preventative care and support for individuals and families in need. o Participate in personal counseling of others where appropriate 

Preaching Ministry 

o Preach approximately 60% of the Sunday gatherings. 

o Work cooperatively with Elders to strategically build a preaching calendar which addresses the needs of the congregation and shares preaching responsibility. 

SUMMARY

Soma Eastside is a Christ-centered community which loves God supremely, one another as family, and our neighbors intentionally. We are committed to experiencing Christ in community, making disciples who make disciples, and saturating our region with the Gospel. As a part of the Soma Family of Churches (https://www.wearesoma.com/), we believe in the value of living missionally, in unity with a plurality of leaders, and a high view of Scripture. Soma Eastside is a growing, culturally diverse, Kingdom-focused church with a clear vision and a strong leadership foundation. We are looking for a faith-filled, high integrity, shepherd pastor to be our next Lead Elder. Soma Eastside would be a great fit for an experienced leader with the gifts of preaching, teaching, shepherding, and collaborative leadership. A Lead Elder who is energized by raising up and leading leaders to carry out the vision of Soma Eastside will thrive in this Kingdom assignment. 

If you believe you could thrive in a multi-cultural, pre-Christian community that is ripe for the harvest, we encourage you to apply for this position. Soma Eastside places a very high value on the total well-being of the Lead Elder and staff. We believe when a Lead Elder and his family are healthy and able to focus on the vision of the church, the whole church will be blessed as a result. We are a people of prayer, so if you apply, you can be assured that you and your family will be prayed for as we seek the Lord's discernment for your potential fit in this role. 

Desired Qualifications 

Master of Divinity (or equivalent experience) 

10 years ministry experience 

3 years experience serving as an elder (can be concurrently while serving as a minister on staff) 

Demonstrated ability in building collaborative teams 

Staff management experience, including coaching and personnel development 

Demonstrated organizational development skills 

Experience in cross-cultural engagement 

Salary/Benefits 

Paid medical, 4 weeks PTO (initial), Full Time $125,000 per year 

To Apply: Please send an introductory cover letter and resumé/CV to search@somaeastside.org 

SOMA EASTSIDE CHURCH 

158 1st PL NW 

Issaquah, WA 98027- USA