Pastor Of Justice & Mercy

Bridgetown Church believes in the participation of all people at every life stage in practicing the way of Jesus. We believe that to be an apprentice of Jesus of Nazareth is to order your life around three goals: be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. And during this season we feel especially called to a charism of prayer, presence, and mission. We believe that as we lean into this together, our lives, our communities, and our city, will be transformed. 

As followers of Jesus, we believe that justice and mercy are central to the Kingdom of God. As a result, we are called to engage faithfully and wholeheartedly with areas of brokenness and injustice locally and globally and to demonstrate God’s love in tangible ways with his peace, presence, and power. We do this by standing with the poor, the marginalized, and the powerless; by increasing justice and celebrating it; and by creating a circle of compassion and making sure that no one is left outside of it.

To this end, we work to see things made right. The measure of our compassion lies not in our service to those on the margins but in our willingness to see ourselves in kinship with them. We seek nothing short of shalom, the flourishing and welfare of our city and to see God’s world and all that he has made become as he intended it to be.  

Role Summary:

The role of Pastor of Justice & Mercy is to:

• Vision & Direction: Lead the Bridgetown family in becoming a missional people of mercy. It is our goal to faithfully live out an expression of love and righteousness beyond the four walls of our building. We aim to do this by empowering, equipping, and mobilizing the local church to practically serve the city and the world. 

• Local & Global Partnership: Bring life, vision, and vitality to Bridgetown’s community partnerships by collaborating, where appropriate, with local, national, and global partners, including non-profits, churches, and government agencies to coordinate and move forward the work of justice and compassion throughout Portland and beyond. The Pastor of Justice & Mercy will be the primary relational connection to Bridgetown Justice Allies.

• Church Engagement: Work with the Bridgetown family to effectively disciple followers of Jesus in the way of Jesus through active participation in proximate works of justice and mercy. The Pastor of Justice and Mercy will be responsible to provide individuals, leaders, and Communities with inspiration, direction, opportunities, and resources to step more fully into the ministry of reconciliation and to be actively engaged as the hands and feet of Jesus: in word and in deed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Vision

• Oversee the development and use of the Bridgetown Justice Center and our other facilities for justice & mercy initiatives
• Lead, plan, and execute various collaborative events at and through Bridgetown with local and global partners, as well as other local churches, including our monthly Feasts.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships by consistently meeting with local and global partners
• Develop and oversee Justice budget in partnership with the Bridgetown Executive Director, Church Elders and Board of Directors
• Develop and oversee Justice & Mercy deacons and RBC, including management of finances and vision, empowering a healthy team to champion these values in their various expressions throughout our church.
• Pastorally care for and coach Justice & Mercy Deacons and Racial Justice Committee so that they flourish personally through leadership and service and so that they steadily grow in leadership capacity
• Respond to all local and global justice inquiries in a timely manner
• Manage the content and overarching vision contained at Bridgetown’s Justice webpage

Partnerships

• The Pastor of Justice & Mercy oversees, organizes, and maintains strong relationships with our community partners through volunteers, financial generosity, presence, celebration, and shared mission.
• Sustain strong partnerships with our national and global partners, creating healthy communication in expectations of engagement, reporting, needs and opportunities, and financial giving.
• Develop and maintain a clear and reliable process to facilitate funding to qualifying Allies, including accountability and clear reporting to the Executive Leadership Team & board
• As needed, with the approval of the Lead Pastor and Executive Director, visit global and international partners and lead trips
• Work with local partners in Bridgetown’s seven areas engagement: Truth & Reconciliation, Education, Criminal Justice, Houselessness & Houseless Care, Vulnerable Families & Individuals, Global Witness, and Community Development.
• Coordinate, lead, and execute collaborative justice-focused events and initiatives

General Pastoral Expectations:

• Commissioned by the Elders of Bridgetown Church
• Theologically aligned with Bridgetown’s Ministry Philosophy and DNA
• Agree with, and adhere to, the leadership structure of Bridgetown Church
• Collaborate with and bring vision and energy to Justice and Mercy Ministries
• Respond to all staff/volunteer concerns in a timely manner
• Attend weekly Bridgetown staff meeting
• Attend Bridgetown Pastoral and staff events
• Attend the weekly gathering
• Sacerdotal duties of Baptism, Weddings, Teachings, Spiritual Counseling, Administration of church affairs, Marriages, Communions, Funerals, and the regular conducting of worship services

Minimum Job Qualifications and Requirements:

• Living within character qualifications of 1 Timothy 3v1-13
• Attempting to Follow Bridgetown’s Rule of Life
• 5 years + experience in similar field
• Experience successfully leading, recruiting and developing a team of volunteers
• Experience in managing a significant budget
• Experience overseeing the outreach initiatives and programs in a church setting
• A distinct calling and passion for justice and mercy
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Vision driven and action orientated - an inherent desire to achieve exceptional results
• Self-starter who is organized and responsible
• Live within the “urban core” of Portland, defined as the city limits on the west, north, and south sides, and highway 205 on the east

Preferred:

• Experience with and training in cross-cultural and intercultural communication
• Proven history and success record of equipping and mobilizing people in the areas of justice and mercy
• Integrated and applied knowledge of race, diversity, and equity
• Experience in justice and community care work (including but not limited to the foster care system, DHS, etc…)
• Training or Education in social work and contemporary missiology an asset.