Candidates

The role of pastor at Evergreen is the primary overseer/elder of our congregation.  He should be a man of high Godly character who has an orientation toward grace.  He is responsible for the regular preaching and teaching of the Word with a focus on application. The pastor leads the body and seeks to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry.  He helps leadership design, develop, and implement a Godly vision for the activity of the Church.  Our pastor needs to be a man who is dependent upon prayer and faithful in study of the Word as the guiding principle behind his ministry.  He should be willing to lead in accountability and also set an example in evangelism.

We understand that each man called to pastoral ministry has different strengths and weaknesses.  We expect our pastor to maximize his strengths and help us understand how to complement his weaknesses.  With this in mind, we maintain flexibility as the details of this multi-faceted role and seek open discussion with candidates.

• Primary spiritual leader and overseer for the Church
• Regular weekly preaching during Sunday morning worship service
• Some holiday/special service preaching
• Various pastoral duties as needed such as counselling, hospitality, and visitation
• Ex-officio on all boards and committees

Education:
Minimum: Bachelors Degree with some Biblical schooling.
Preferred: Progressing toward or having completed a ministry or Bible based Masters Degree from an accredited college, university or seminary.

Experience:
Minimum: 5+ years in pastoral role
Preferred: 5-10+ years in lead pastor role and some variation in ministries or churches served

Each candidate will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

While the minimum characteristics of a pastor are clearly stated in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:5-9, we hope for a pastor who displays these types of personality and character traits:

• A Lover of God, a Lover of People and a Lover of Good.
• A Forward-looking Leader
• Discerning
• Perpetual Learner
• Joyful and Fun-loving
• Able to Grieve/Compassionate/Empathetic
• Listener/Counselor/Advisor
• Grace Orientation/Peacemaker
• Nurturer
• Organized
• Self-starter

Basic Benefits Package:

Salary Based on Experience – $40,000-$65,000
Annual Contribution to Retirement Plan
Term-life insurance Coverage
Medical Insurance Coverage
Medical Expense Reimbursement
Professional Expense Allowance
3 weeks vacation annually – 4 Sundays

Additional Case-specific Options:

Education Cost Reimbursement
Appropriate Relocation Expenses
Church Parsonage

Evergreen is a church with a legacy of focusing on God’s word with rich teaching.  This focus has led to a church body that is faithful and consistent with high Biblical acumen.  We have also experienced many years of faithful and generous international missionary support.  Our membership is faithful in giving and have been good stewards of our finances and facilities. This has led to multiple updates to our building over recent years, good budget practices and a church that operates with no debt.  Our mature-leaning congregation has room to grow and offers opportunity for a pastor who will seek to grow our influence in our community and motivate our membership toward gospel-driven outreach and evangelism. Having put aside some aspects of our ministry due to the pandemic, our leadership seeks to take advantage of this opportunity to reinvigorate the body with a renewed focus on discipleship and ministry that is both internal and external.

Evergreen is located in the small town of Trail Creek which is encompassed by Michigan City, Indiana.  Trail Creek has about 2500 residents and 900 homes.  Evergreen is one of two churches in this small town.

Michigan City is a diverse community of around 32,000 people that is experiencing transition due to its proximity to the Chicago metropolitan area (approx. 60 miles) and its position on the shore of Lake Michigan.  It is also convenient to South Bend (30 miles) to the East.

Michigan City’s primary feature is its beachfront.  It is home to the wonderful singing sands of Washington Park beach, and famed lighthouse.  Together with the towns of Long Beach and Duneland Beach, there is just over 5 miles of Lakeshore between Michigan City and the Michigan Border.  The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, a newly declared National Park is just minutes away to the West.

Michigan City is large enough to provide access to many major retailers, restaurants and “big-box” stores and yet has a growing number of local eateries and a bourgeoning art culture in the Uptown Arts District.  The city also features the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet mall providing a shopping attraction to visitors and convenience for locals.

The future looks bright in MC due to increasing investment, infrastructure improvements, and relocation from the Chicago metro area.  Upcoming major projects include improvement of the South Shore rail system which will provide commuters with approximately a 67-minute train ride to Millennium Station in Chicago as well as the planned decommissioning and removal of the NIPSCO power plant that occupies a prime beachfront location.  Local real estate prices have been rising dramatically for the last few years.

Here are some helpful links to more information about the area:

Michigan City Webpage: emichigancity.com

MC Chamber of Commerce:  mcachamber.com

South Shore Double Track Plan: doubletrack-nwi.com

Our church seeks to love and support the man God places as shepherd over our congregation.  We promise to surround him with godly leaders who will be committed to his spiritual growth as well as provide kind, listening ears and graceful counsel without judgement.

We will provide regular opportunities for rest and rejuvenation, support for additional education, and seek compensation that is a reflection of our appreciation of this honored role in the Body.

We will care for the special needs of his family with sensitivity.  We understand that this role is a position that is a special call for the Pastor only and will not place additional responsibility or expectations upon his family other than those expected of any other member of the church.

Click to download.

Evergreen-Handbook – This includes our Church Covenant, Statements of Faith and Constitution (.pdf)

Annual Reports:
2019 Annual Report(.pdf)
2020 Annual Report(.pdf)

Budgets:
2021 General Fund Budget(.pdf)
2021 Missions Budget(.pdf)

Financial Reports:
2021 1st Quarter financial report(.pdf)
2020 Financial Report(.pdf)

Attendance Records:
2019 Attendance(.pdf)
2020 Attendance (.pdf)
2021 Attendance(.pdf)

Hey there! We’re excited that you are interested in being considered for the Pastoral position at Evergreen.

We ask that you would take the first step by submitting the following documents for our review.

1. Your Resumé
2. Reference Sheet (Word Format)
3. Please include links to recent sermons.  Video is highly preferred.

These documents can be emailed to candidates@evergreenonline.org.

We will review and follow up with a candidate questionnaire to get to know you better.