Teaching Pastor Search

Reach entered a season of transition in the Fall of 2022 when our founding Lead Pastor, Brian McCormack, discerned, after much prayer and with the support of Reach’s elders, that his assignment at Reach was coming to an end. Reach is currently well served by our Preaching Team, which includes Interim Teaching Pastor, Scot Pollok, who will be serving Reach into 2024. We are now in an extended season seeking a Teaching Pastor to serve alongside us — stewarding the opportunities we have to shepherd this church we love, to impact this city we believe God has great plans for.

About Reach Church

Founded in 2012, Reach is a non-denominational Christian church gathering approximately 800 adults, youth, and children in Kirkland, Washington– east of Seattle. Reach is a church family transformed through encountering Jesus and joining Him together in advancing His Kingdom in Seattle as it is in Heaven. We orient our entire lives to know Jesus’ word, to be with Jesus and become like Him, and to join Jesus in His mission. We dream about a spiritual awakening in Seattle that leaves an inheritance of faith in Jesus to our grandkids 100 years from now. 

Reach is overseen by a team of Elders who support our Executive Director and Staff in discerning the direction and leading the spiritual growth of our church. 

How You Can Help

Whether you belong to Reach or you’re a friend of the church, here are some immediate ways you can help us find our Teaching Pastor!

• Pray. We believe that when we pray, this does something to remove obstacles and barriers, increase faith, and provides a space for God to move in ways that amaze us! We welcome your prayers, questions, and comments sent to hr@reachchurch.cc. 
• Spread the word. As we get the word out about this position, we’d love your help. Checkout the job description below, and let us know if you know anyone that you think would serve as a great Teaching Pastor. Do you know others who may know of possible candidates? To make a candidate recommendation, email your recommendation to the Search Team at hr@reachchurch.cc

Featured Updates

• Leadership Update - February 2023. This update from Rob and Brian in February 2023 provides some clarity on our leadership structure and trajectory.
• Brian’s announcement - September 2022

The Role

‍What would you say you do here?

The Teaching Pastor plays a vital role in the life of Reach, as they are responsible for leading and guiding our church family through the proclamation, exposition, and application of God's Word. The Bible is God’s Word to us, and we believe it’s true in content, supreme in authority, and complete in its sufficiency. We also embrace the ministry of the Holy Spirit to equip the church to make disciples, grow in the fruit of the spirit and in spiritual gifts, and work miracles among us. This individual will serve as the primary communicator of biblical truth, delivering engaging and Spirit-filled sermons that inspire, challenge, and equip our church community.

This is a senior role within Reach’s pastoral team that is responsible for the overall vision, leadership, strategy, promotion, and execution of Reach’s commitment to making disciples through preaching, teaching, and equipping. In addition, the Teaching Pastor will partner with the Elders in shepherding the church as a whole, which includes providing pastoral care, administering the sacraments, visitations, officiating weddings and funerals. 

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The Right Fit

‍What qualities does a person in this position bring to the table?

Gifts and Abilities:

• A Disciple who makes disciples. Worships the Triune God and follows Jesus Christ with devotion and authenticity. Loves and is rooted in Scripture. Must possess a clear conviction that all God’s people are to make disciples and seek to fulfill the Great Commission in Seattle and to the ends of the earth. Leads and lives a clear theology, philosophy, and model for making disciples who make disciples. Enjoys thinking deeply and imaginatively about God’s work in our lives and in the world. 
• Maturity in Christ. Shows strong personal depth and spiritual grounding; demonstrates integrity by walking the talk and by responding with faithfulness of purpose; is seen by others as trustworthy and authentic; nurtures a rich spiritual life; seeks the wisdom and guidance of appropriate mentors; is able to articulate a clear and consistent theology. Recognizes prayer and intercession as integral to life. This person has suffered in life and still runs to Jesus.
• The Heart of a Spiritual Father. Values relationships and community in ways that honor unique histories, gifts, and callings, and with love and compassion, walks with people through their sufferings and joys. Discerns spiritual gifts in others and encourages their growth. Able to build relationships with people of varying ethnicities, socio-economic levels, and generations, and enters into differences with gentleness, courage, and hope.  
• A Communicator. Consistently and effectively preach, inspire, and communicate a clear and consistent message through sermons that are carefully prepared and creatively delivered; project the identity and values of the church through your leadership presence. Outstanding interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills (verbal and written), including a strong ability in preaching, teaching, public speaking, teaching, and casting vision. 
• A Builder. Holds a deep love and hope for the Church. A strong ability to recruit, equip, inspire, and empower people, especially volunteers, both formally (in ministry teams) and relationally. Leads with integrity, humility, wisdom, and grace.
  

Experience & Education:

• 7+ years of relevant experience preaching to large and small audiences, including presenting online. Significant leadership or management experience in a church setting or otherwise, working with a culturally diverse population and congregation is preferred. 
• Seminary Degree / Master’s Degree or equivalent experience in a related field strongly preferred.

Personal Characteristics:

• A commitment to the vision and mission of Reach.
• A lifestyle congruent with the biblical requirements for Elders. Reach believes that while every ministry activity and spiritual gifting is open to women, the leadership office of elder is intended for qualified men, and the Teaching Pastor would be expected to serve as a Staff Elder. Learn more about Reach’s views on Women in Leadership in the church.
• A rich personal history with Jesus and a life in the church.
  

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Core Responsibilities

‍What does success look like for this position?
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Lead Preaching & Teaching at Reach

• Preaching & Teaching. Be the primary voice at our Sunday gatherings, which includes preaching (60-70% of Sundays; 30-35/year), teaching, and facilitating services. Messages are one of the primary vehicles for implementing the vision of Reach, so the eaching Pastor's messages should be aligned with the vision of the church, inspire, challenge, and equip the people of Reach to grow in their relationship with Jesus, and connect with our discipleship environments. 
• Equip the church in disciple making. Support the implementation of discipleship tools and contexts for all life stages (preschool through end-of-life) in the church.
• Classes, Teaching, & Discipleship. Curate (repurpose existing content/experiences) and develop experiences (e.g. Classes, Forums, Sermon/DNA/Group Guides) for equipping Reach in theology, Biblical literacy, discipleship, spiritual practices, navigating cultural issues and encouraging each person to grow their personal relationship with God. Contribute to the curation of weekend gatherings and special events.
  

Support Organizational Leadership

• Lead the Preaching Team. Build the teaching capacity at Reach through coaching and developing a Preaching Team (and the teachers) at Reach through planning, delivery, and feedback. Effectively coach new and experienced teachers at Reach, and co-preach with emerging communicators. Curate and invite outside guest voices to further equip the people of Reach.
  

Support Church Wide Communications

• Writing & Content Creation. Develop content to inspire and equip Reach across multiple channels and ages/stages, including writing, video, and events. Be the primary author in composing position papers commissioned by the Elder Team.
• Exemplify Reach to the Community. The Teaching Pastor is responsible for protecting and promoting Reach’s identity through internal and external communications. Ensure that the message is communicated with quality and creativity and with the primary target, the unchurched, always in mind.
• Contribute Creative & Editorial Support. The Teaching Pastor shall support the promotion of sermon series, and will provide direction to the communication activities of the church (through staff and volunteers). The Teaching Pastor will review communication guidelines and monitor print and online communications to make sure the message stays focused and consistent with Reach’s vision and values.

Other Pastoral/Leadership Responsibilities

• Pastoral Responsibilities. The Teaching Pastor will be a contributor in the following shared responsibilities alongside the Elder Team — Guarding the vision and doctrine of the church, providing shared oversight of the Staff and resources, overseeing multiplication efforts through church planting and partnerships (e.g. other churches, missions organizations). Fulfill other pastoral responsibilities as needed for the church, including but not limited to providing Care, officiating weddings/funerals, Group Coaching, etc.

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Compensations & Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience, qualifies for a housing allowance, and a relocation package is included. Anticipated range: $120,000 to $140,000/year
• Generous health insurance
• 3% matching Simple IRA
• Unlimited PTO

Application

After prayerful consideration, if you would like to apply, please send the following to hr@reachchurch.cc

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Links to preaching samples
• Writing sample
• Social media handles
• Three references

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, and references for our church are also available upon request!