About First Presbyterian Church of Wooster, OH

Who We Were--A Brief History

The origins of First Presbyterian Church, Wooster Ohio, go back to 1815 when fifteen Scottish and Irish settlers gathered in a home on West Liberty Street to form a Presbyterian Congregation. A small brick building was erected there for worship. As the congregation grew, land for the second church building at the corner of North Walnut and West North Streets was donated by John and Elizabeth Christmas in 1848. In 1927, the cornerstone for a neo-gothic building was laid at the corner of College Ave and East Bowman Street, where the present sanctuary and related structures were erected. In 2005, the congregation undertook another major addition to better equip this historic congregation for ministry in the 21st century.

While in the Walnut Street building, during the pastoral leadership of the Rev. James Reed, the congregation organized the College of Wooster under the auspices of the Ohio Synod of the Presbyterian Church. Church member Ephraim Quinby gave twenty acres on the hill above the present building for the college seat, becoming one of the first trustees. Another church member, John Kauke, also a college trustee, provided funds for an early classroom building which now bears his name. During the same years, twenty-five First Presbyterian Church members formed and chartered Westminister Church to provide a campus congregation for college students. First Presbyterian Church has always focused on the needs of the community through a variety of educational and mission outreach ministries that continue to this day.

Who We Are Today

First Presbyterian Church is deeply involved with numerous community programs and has been instrumental in founding many of them. Some of our partnerships are with the Viola Startzman Free Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, and People to People Ministries. We have a Day Care Center for senior citizens as well as Wee Care Day Care for children.

Less well known are some of the activities in which our congregants participate, although those activities are as important as the better known ones. We have members involved with children’s sports, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, political groups, educational clubs, to name but a very few.

The First Presbyterian Church congregation reflects the diversity of the Wooster community, including traditional and non-traditional families, single people, college students, and many people of seminary experience. This church family strives to be multicultural, intergenerational, and inclusive, welcoming all who seek to follow Jesus Christ. Won't you consider joining us for Sunday worship or one of our many activities?

WHAT WE BELIEVE

A good summary of Presbyterian beliefs and information about our denomination, The Presbyterian Church (USA), may be found at http://www.pcusa.org/navigation/whoweare.htm

Staffing Model Team Report
October 24, 2012

Where We Have Been …

Due to the departure of our previous minister, the Session, in conversation with the
Presbytery of Muskingum Valley, elected, for the purpose of “self-study” to take part in
the Bridge Builders program with Dr. Peter Steinke. As part of that process the Action
Planning Team {APT} took Dr. Steinke’s work regarding our congregation and compiled
a report that included Strategic Objectives, priorities for our congregation and some
perspectives on our church’s staffing model. One of the APT’s recommendations was
the creation of a task force that would conduct in-depth research of church staffing
models and make a recommendation to Session regarding the “staff model” that might
best suit our congregation. This report represents the work of the Staffing Model Task
Force / Team and is intended to offer guidance to the Pastor Nominating Committee
{PNC} once that group begins its work.

Members of the Task Force …

The members of the Task Force were specifically selected in such a manner as to
provide representation from the APT, the Personnel Committee, Session, and
representative members of the congregation. They include Session members: Nancy
Anderson, David Bush, and Joyce Murphy; Action Planning Team members: Angela
Early, Steve LoGiudice, and Russ McQuate; Personnel Committee members: Dick
Benson, Laura Neill, and Tom Rumbaugh; Congregation representatives: Mark Gooch,
Mary Stockton, and Carol Vagnini. Interim minister the Rev. Bruce Ballantine also
participated on the Task Force. At the first meeting Dick Benson and David Bush were
elected as co-chairs of the group and Mark Gooch was designated as secretary.

The Work of the Task Force …

At our initial meetings we determined a path for our work that included potential
readings related to our work, the scope of our task, churches that we would explore as
models, and questions to ask of those churches. We also determined that we would
use the Eight Strategic Priorities identified in the APT’s report as a significant guide to
our work. Those priorities include (in no particular order of importance):

• High quality children’s and youth programming
• Intentionality in developing programs attractive to families
• High quality preaching
• High quality music program
• Effective pastoral care
• Mission activities in our local, national, and international communities
• Small groups
• Communication (internal and external)

Books …

In order to complete the readings in a timely and effective manner, individual members
of the task force agreed to read and review each of the books identified and report back
to the whole Task Force. The books reviewed are listed below with the reviewer noted:

Beaumont, Susan. Inside the Large Congregation. Herndon, Va: The Alban Institute,
2011. (Nancy Anderson)
DeVries, Mark. Sustainable youth ministry
: why most youth ministry doesn’t last and
what your church can do about it. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Books, 2008. (Joyce
Murphy)
Gaede, Beth Ann. Size Transitions in Congregations. Bethesda, Md.: The Alban
Institute, 2001. (Laura Neill)
Mann, Alice. Raising the roof
: the pastoral-to-program size transition. [Bethesda, MD]:
Alban Institute, 2001. (Mary Stockton)
McIntosh, Gary. Staff your church for growth
: building team ministry in the 21st century.
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2000. (Russ McQuate)

Upon completion of the book reviews, Steve LoGiudice developed a summary of the
most salient and consistent points across the various book reviews. This summary,
along with the Eight Strategic Priorities, helped guide the Task Force as it continued to
consider the staffing needs of our Church. The main points drawn from these reviews
provided direction to the Task Force as they considered the necessary positions,
structure, and time necessary to carry out the work of those positions. These points
are:

• Any church wishing to grow must do so deliberately and purposefully. We can’t wish or
hope that there will be a sudden influx of people wanting to become members. Because
there won’t be. The church must plan, budget, and staff for growth – even before that
growth materializes. The programs and infrastructure must be in place to receive the
growth we are working to create.
• We must staff to our Church’s priorities. Program staff must be complementary to make
sure strengths and weaknesses balance out and that all needs are met.
• There should be creativity and flexibility in staffing. Consideration must be given to
hiring a greater number of part time staff {PTE} (allows for more specialized skill sets) as
opposed to fewer full time staff {FTE}.
• Traits in program sized churches:
o Broad leadership circles
o Wide variety of programs
o Separate opportunities for seniors, children, youth, families, singles, couples, etc
o Many small group opportunities – provide “personal touches”
• Program staffing guidelines vary by author, but as a general rule it seems 4 full-time
equivalents (FTE) for a church with weekly attendance between 200 and 399 is about
right. First Presbyterian has about 2.75 FTE’s of program staff today.

Churches …

In addition, the Task Force developed a list of potential churches that were explored for
further information regarding staff structures. The majority of these churches
were considered based on the Task Force members’ experiences with them. We
also included churches in similar size communities or that were of a similar size
to our congregation. The list of churches, in no particular order, is listed below:

Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, Cleveland Heights, Ohio

First Congregational Church (UCC), Hudson, Ohio

Unitarian Universalist Church, Wooster, Ohio

Christ Presbyterian Church, Canton, Ohio

UCC Congregational Church, Medina, Ohio

Denver Community Church, Denver, Ohio

2nd Presbyterian Church, Little Rock, Arkansas

First Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head, South Carolina

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Akron, Ohio

To explore these churches the Task Force, with the help of Rev. Bruce Ballantine,
developed a set of extensive questions. These questions included both numeric and
narrative questions so that we could understand the size of the church, its operations,
and programming needs. Members of the Task Force contacted representatives of the
churches in order to gather the information that was then compiled into a chart
representing the information. This chart was then supplemented with the narrative
responses that did not fit neatly into the chart’s headings.

Developing a Staff Structure …

The broad staff structure that we envision for First Presbyterian Church came together
rather quickly. Within that broad structure there have been a few areas where the Task
Force has spent considerable time focusing on positions. The first position receiving
much discussion is what was initially termed the Associate Pastor role and is now
denominated as the Minister of Visitation, with the major responsibility of providing
pastoral care. The other main area of discussion surrounded the Christian Education
role. The desire is to fill roles that will provide the best staffing for children, youth, and
adults while also including a position that will provide the overarching connection as
congregants proceed through those stages of their faith development.

Respectfully Submitted,

Staffing Model Team

*******************************************************************

New Staffing Model

Job Descriptions & Skills

First Presbyterian Church, Wooster, Ohio

November 27, 2012

Pastor / Head of Staff (FTE 1.0)

Primary Responsibilities
• function as the Head of Staff
• preach 3 times per month
• share worship leadership with other ordained Staff or lay leaders
• provide pastoral care

Requirements & Skills
• ordained
• excellent and dynamic preaching
• leadership ability, both in leading staff and members
• compassionate and thoughtful in pastoral care
• ability to develop creative and interesting Sunday morning experiences
• lead the Church’s internal and external communication

Minister of Visitation (PTE .25-.50)

Primary Responsibilities
• be a major provider of pastoral care
• work with the Pastor/Head of Staff and Parish Associates for all pastoral care
• preach one time per month

Requirements & Skills
• ordained
• effective internal and external communication skills

Parish Associates (PTE)
• ordained
• provide pastoral care
• assist in worship
• PTE or volunteer position

Director of Music / Organist (PTE .25)

Primary Responsibilities
• accomplished as an organist
• direct the Adult Choir
• oversee/assist with all music programming
• provide leadership for the Children’s Music program
• communicate regularly with webmaster regarding special music events

Children’s Music Director (PTE .25)

Primary Responsibilities
• develop music programs for children
• work with Director of Music and the Director of Children’s Ministries
• communicate regularly with webmaster regarding promotion of children’s events

Requirements & Skills
• work well with children
• musical background & skills
• organized, enthusiastic and energetic

Nursery Caregiver (PTE .06)

Primary Responsibilities
• provide childcare in the nursery for Sunday mornings and any other Church events
• co-care with congregational volunteers.
• communicate needs of the nursery space and its supplies.
(The volunteer nursery coordinator oversees room and supplies. The volunteer nursery coordinator also schedules and oversees volunteers along with Director of Faith Formation or Director of Children’s Ministries.)

Requirements & Skills
• friendly, welcoming, works well with others
• knowledgeable of child development & care

Director of Faith Formation (PTE/FTE .50-1.0)

Primary Responsibilities
• implement a spiritual development program that helps Church members to
identify, develop and use their spiritual gifts
• oversee Christian education/spiritual development program from birth to adult
• coordinate efforts with Director of Congregational Life (spiritual development program
should eventually help members identify their gifts for shared ministry)
• organize Bible studies as well as other potential small groups
• participate in a leadership role in Vacation Bible School
• assist in determining local, national and international mission activities
• maintain communication with webmaster and update all Church information

Requirements & Skills
• possess deep faith
• ordination not required
• possess strong organizational and leadership skills
• potential for growth through continuing education opportunities

Adult Education Coordinator (.25)

Primary Responsibilities
• assist in the coordination and oversight of Adult Christian Education
opportunities provided to congregation - in Sunday School and other
small groups such as Bible studies and book groups
• work under the guidance of the Director of Faith Formation
• lead through consistent external and internal communication
• work with the Director of Congregation Life on small group implementation involving adults
• communicate regularly with webmaster

Requirements & Skills
• possess deep faith
• ordination not required
• has knowledge of educational sources/potential speakers for Adult Education programs
• strong organizational skills
• ability to work well with others / create active, vibrant teams

Director of Children’s Ministries (PTE .50)

Primary Responsibilities
• work under the guidance of the Director of Faith Formation to provide Christian / spiritual development programs
• plan and provide Sunday School programming, including Joy Worship
• provide and produce programming for the children, developing small
group opportunities such as Christ’s Kids’ Club
• intentionally develop programs to attract families and children, both for
current members and potential new members
• lead through consistent external and internal communication with both
active and inactive participants
• organize & guide the logistics of Vacation Bible School
• mission projects involving children and families
• work with Director of Congregational Life to develop a strong group of volunteers

Requirements & Skills
• possess a deep faith
• possess sound skills and commitment to work with children
• potential for growth through continuing education opportunities
• organized, energetic and enthusiastic

Director of Youth Ministry (PTE.25)

Primary Responsibilities
• develop and provide programming for youth through fellowship, education, worship, service and mission that results in active participation & Christian growth
• lead through consistent external and internal communication
• oversee youth mission trips
• work with Director of Congregational Life to develop a volunteer base, and for assistance with mission trips
• be a mentor to, and supporter of, the Church’s youth both within the Church and through other outside activities
• communicate regularly with webmaster regarding promotion of events

Requirements & Skills
• possess deep and/or growing faith
• possess gifts for working with youth
• organized, energetic and enthusiastic

Director of Congregational Life (PTE .75)

Primary Responsibilities
• develop a vision for and be energetic in building a strong, exciting, and sustainable family ministry program which attracts new families to FPC and energizes and engages current families
• coordinate closely with Director of Faith Formation, Director of Children’s Ministry, and Director of Youth Ministry in the development of a comprehensive family ministry program that creates meaningful, interesting, and fun experiences that involve children, youth and their families – both separately and together
• create and communicate a vision for small groups and ministries … working closely with Church leadership and individual members who have an idea, then help develop and coordinate those small groups
• be able to identify and recruit talented, capable volunteers into responsible positions; delegate responsibilities appropriately; invite and maintain constant dialog avenues; communicate Church’s expectations clearly and hold volunteers accountable
• coordinate special projects and events, including mission trips for all ages.
• provide support to outreach activities designed to recruit new members to the Church.

Requirements & Skills
• non-ordained
• organized, energetic and enthusiastic
• event-planning experience and strong people skills

Office Administrator/Finance (PTE/FTE .75-1.0)

Primary Responsibilities
• manage the Church office
• provide administrative support for the Staff and congregation
• work daily with the Church’s finances, posting receipts and expenses to appropriate accounts & ledgers
• work with the Church Treasurer, who will maintain the Church’s books
• oversight, management, and coordination the Church’s website
• manage publication of internal communication documents, e.g. Tower Tidings and weekly email blasts
• be the person that the Facilities Manager and Office Assistant report to,
while overseeing the seamless logistical operations of the Church

Requirements & Skills
• highly organized and professional individual
• accounting and business management experience and/or training
• experience with & knowledge of web/social media (webmaster will be outsourced)

Facilities Manager (FTE 1.0)

Primary Responsibilities
• oversee & manage the main Church building, its physical plant, equipment, and all its related properties and facilities
• manage & coordinate all annual service and maintenance of all buildings, equipment, property and related elements owned or leased by the Church
• coordinate all required local and State inspections and obtain, or up-date, any licensing that may be required
• provide assistance to any Staff, congregational member and/or tenant of the Church in carrying out of his/her assigned task, that are either directly or indirectly involved with the Church's buildings and/or properties
• assist in the development of a yearly operational budget and maintain accurate records of all related operational costs to ensure the Church’s operations stay within that established budgets
• complete the stated tasks during regular working hours and at "off" hours, if requested and necessary

Requirements & Skills
• fully qualified to operate all physical plant equipment and be licensed if, and when, required
• computer capability and knowledge equal to or greater than that needed to operate and understand the computerized systems of the Church's physical plant and related equipment
• necessary experience and physical capability to perform all the daily and/or regular general maintenance and upkeep of the entire physical plant and/or properties of the Church with efficiency and professional care to detail and order
• strong "people skills" and effectively use them with the Church Staff, congregation members, tenants and visitors at all times

Housekeeping (PTE .25)

Primary Responsibilities
• perform general "housekeeping" (cleaning) duties during the regular week (Mon-Fri) as directed by the Facilities Manager
• oversee and maintain a complete inventory of the materials, tools and/or equipment necessary to successfully complete all assigned tasks and report to your supervisor if any of the items are needed in sufficient time to procure them for your assigned work
• assist Staff, congregation members and visitors when called upon, if the task falls within your scope of assigned work
• consistently maintain the housekeeping / utility areas in an orderly and clean state

Requirements & Skills
• experience and knowledge in the areas of general housekeeping and cleaning, specifically in larger scale areas & facilities
• references that show the following: "attention to detail" in the work performed, use of strong "people skills" in getting along with those around you, and a focus on the "total completion" of assigned tasks
• physically capable of performing all general cleaning tasks which includes relocating the tools and equipment required to new areas of work

Office Assistant (PTE/FTE .75-1.00)

Primary Responsibilities
• work in the front reception area of Church office to greet congregants and visitors
• regularly answer the Church telephone & emails
• sort all mail and similar deliveries to the Church
• keep visiting and fellowship areas / counters in order / clean
• proof any printed items produced by other Staff prior to copying
• follow through on any tasks assigned by Head of Staff or Office Administrator

Requirements & Skills
• friendly and organized, strong “people skills”
• excellent word processing abilities
• proficient telephone skills

Sunday opener (PTE .15)

Primary Responsibilities
• open and prepare the Church in time for the 8:30a.m. service
• prepare sanctuary and Sunday School spaces for day’s events
• prepare coffee for Sunday School and coffee hours
• lock building following the 10:45 service and/or lunches
• complete check list of duties on file with Head of Staff

Last updated: November 27, 2012