Associate Pastor of Social Work

Overview

The Associate Pastor of Social Work (APSW) is responsible for providing leadership and oversight to the community engagement of the Second Baptist Church (the Church or 2BC) as well as assisting the congregation in forming strategic partnerships that enhance our work. The APSW will help equip the congregation to serve our downtown community and various ministry partners in the most faithful and effective ways. The APSW will work collaboratively with the rest of the staff and congregation to fulfill this work. The APSW must feel competent in a congregational setting, see social work as an extension of the ministry of the Church, and commit to the full life of the Church.

Responsibilities

Preparing for the Work:

1. Plan, coordinate and direct all Church-wide community service in conjunction with the Missions Committee, including, but not limited to:

   1. Local service such as MLK Reads and the 2BC voter registration initiative; and

   2. regional missions such as Together for Hope in Helena, Arkansas and Disaster Relief

2. With the Pastor and other staff, provide substantive education for Christians engaging their world.  This will also include more practical training on working with the unsheltered, identifying mental health challenges, and connecting with appropriate social services.

3. Engage in continuing education in order to provide ongoing guidance, informed by best practices, for how 2BC can be an effective advocate for/with the poor and oppressed.

4. Engage the congregation in matching individual gifts and callings to community needs.

Doing the Work:

1. When existing ministries and partners don’t exist for a particular need, consider creating ministries of care to the vulnerable downtown community.  These ministries might include- but aren’t limited to- an AA group, grief support group, health clinics, voting registration drives, etc.

2. The APSW will assess and develop a program of ministry for the residents of the Albert Pike Hotel (and other downtown residents). In the past, this program has included a weekly Bible Study and grocery shopping trips for residents of the Albert Pike Hotel.

3. Create and present the Missions budget to the Missions Committee, and when approved by the Church, implement it.

4. Provide leadership, vision, and management to the Buffington Committee.

5. Oversee the benevolent funds and ministries of 2BC for people in need.

6. Other pastoral duties as needed, including pastoral visitation, counseling, preaching, and teaching on occasion.  When appropriate, this might include connecting members to social work services.

Enhancing the Work:

1. Foster relationships and network with organizations (other congregations, service providers, education providers, non-profit organizations, businesses, and government) that meet the needs of the vulnerable around 2BC and the Albert Pike Hotel Residents, Buffington Towers, and Cumberland Towers (subsidized housing units surrounding the Church). When necessary, perform pre-counseling services and make referrals for both groups.

2. Work with the Advocacy Task Force in mobilizing church members towards greater engagement on policies that impact the under-resourced and marginalized groups  in our community and state. 

Position Requirements

1. Personally committed to the Lordship and Way of Jesus and called to serve with and alongside a historic Baptist church.

2. A calling to serve marginalized communities.

3. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

4. The ability to perform the work combined with a reflective posture about best practices, ongoing research, and diagnosing systemic issues.

5. Strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with administration, supervisor, staff, volunteers, congregation, and the community. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. 

6. Ability to speak effectively before small and large groups.

7. Proficient interpersonal skills.

8. Possess the ability and willingness to work with others in a team atmosphere.

9. Have a commitment to the well-being of the congregation and downtown community.

10. A proficiency in Social Work training and methodology, with an LMSW preferred. A M.Div. is also preferred but not required.

11. As a member of the Full-Time Pastoral Staff Team, appropriate ethical and behavioral expectations apply.

Supervision

The APSW is supervised by the Pastor and overseen by the Human Resources Committee.  An annual review will be conducted by the Pastor.  

Compensation 

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and education.  This position is dually funded through the Church’s operating budget and the Buffington Fund, a designated fund under the authority of the Church.  The compensation package will include salary, retirement, health insurance, life insurance, and ministerial expense accounts.