Congregational context: Bahia Vista is a 57-year-old congregation, affiliated with SE Conference and Mennonite Church USA, that is repositioning itself for the future. It is a year-round congregation of 250+ persons which grows to 1000+ persons during the winter months. While it may appear as if the qualifying candidate will be just a little lower than the angels, the following profile outlines what the Transition Team believes would be the ideal candidate to lead our congregation into the future. Seminary training, pastoral experience and management experience are desirable. For any questions or to notify of intent for candidacy, please contact Gene Yoder, Church Administrator and Transition Team Chair at < >, or call (941) 377-4041 (church), or (941) 993-8487 (cell), or write to the church at 4041 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, FL, 34232.

·          Preacher/Teacher-Pastor: one who is an effective communicator with a pastor’s heart, who consistently practices leadership, preaching, ministry and pastoral care on a biblical basis.

·          Anabaptist: a person who fully embraces an Anabaptist worldview with passion and grace, and who advocates involvement in Southeast  Mennonite conference, Mennonite Church USA,  and  the world community.

·          Equipper/Learner: a leader who is always reading and growing, who naturally trains and empowers others to accomplish the ministry of the church by growing the gifts of those in the congregation, and faithfully models the practice of physical, emotional and spiritual disciplines.

·          Visionary:  one who consistently keeps an eye on the leadership horizon, shapes the always-emerging vision of the congregation, and readily processes ideas in ways that exhibit careful listening and flexibility.

·          Self-Defined Servant Leader: a person with high emotional intelligence who is both confident and humble, who consistently builds from the good that is present, and who easily owns responsibility and shares credit with transparency, openness and respect for others.

·          Team Builder: an individual with team-leader and/or supervisory experience, and with demonstrated ability to work together with staff, colleagues, volunteers, community organizations and the business community.

·          Missional: a leader who lives in ways that demonstrate God is actively redeeming the world, and that the primary work of the church is aligning our best gifts to join with God in that activity in the community and world.