Prospectus - Clover Sites

Prospectus

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Overview

Loving God ... loving people

The purpose of the body at Bella Vista Church is to obediently follow Jesus Christ by passionately loving God and people as energized by the Holy Spirit.

Bella Vista Church (BVC) is seeking a Lead Pastor to join a competent and engaged ministry and support staff. We are looking for a visionary leader who deeply loves the Lord and has a shepherd's heart. He must be experienced in supporting and developing the potential of others. He will foster an ordered but creative ministry setting as he provides leadership and direction to the BVC staff and this vital body of believers.

Located in West Michigan, just north of Grand Rapids in the growing community of Rockford,

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BVC is a non-denominational evangelical church with a desire to reach its community and world

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for Christ. A contemporary worship style is paired with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere to create a

warm, welcoming environment.

BVC History

Our Staff

Bella Vista Church is a manifestation of the grace and faithfulness of God. Formed in 1973 by a small number of families that attended Kentwood and Woodview Christian Churches, the new congregation identified itself as Rockford Christian Church. The church first met in rented quarters at Rockford Junior High School. Upon the purchase of 40 acres of farmland on Belding Road in Rockford, which included a 100 year old barn, the church was renamed Bella Vista Christian Church because of its proximity to Lake Bella Vista and its rapidly growing neighborhoods.

On Easter Sunday, 1975, about 75 people worshiped for the first time in what affectionately became known as "The Barn." In the fall of that same year, Craig Fox became the first full time pastor of the congregation. The Barn experienced rapid growth with 450 people attending the two morning worship services. To accommodate anticipated further growth, both numerically and in ministry scope, plans were drawn for an expansion of the facilities. An additional 36 acres were purchased, bringing the total property to 76 acres. In the fall of 1978, the first facilities expansion was completed. Early in 1979, attendance surpassed 1200 for worship and children's ministry. In the fall of 1979 however, Pastor Craig's departure led to a decrease in membership.

By 1980, the leadership of the church had decided to leave the Christian Church denomination due to doctrinal differences, and to become a non-denominational church. The name was changed to Bella Vista Church. In the fall of 1981, John Frye became the second teaching pastor in BVC's short history. Over the course of the 1980s, the ministries of the church began to expand, and additional staff members were added. Many committed volunteers participated as well. A focus of ministry was to impact people who were unchurched and address the spiritual needs of people in cross-cultural settings through a growing missions emphasis. Sadly, the original "Barn" building became too costly to maintain and was removed in 1989. At that same time a large educational wing was added to enable more opportunities for ministry, particularly to children. A three service format was adopted, with the congregation numbering 1,000 adults and 400 children and teens throughout the mid to late 1990s. In 1998 two more rooms were added to the children's wing and a new student center was constructed in order to meet the needs of the growing congregation.

Many families left the church between 2003 and 2005 due to disappointment with student ministries and a perceived change in the church's direction. Adult worship fell to 600, and student ministries needed to be rebuilt. Early in 2005, Pastor John resigned after more than 23 years of faithful service. Transitional leadership was provided by pastors Dale Dalman and Tim Cosby. In the summer of 2007, Mark Debowski accepted the call to the position of Lead Pastor at the church. Though the majority of the church was appreciative of his ministry, in June of 2011, Pastor Mark resigned his position.

Bella Vista Church is blessed with an effective and dedicated paid staff of twelve and numerous volunteers who help lead our church ministries and chair and populate boards, councils and committees.

The paid staff includes two full-time ministry staff, five part-time ministry staff, two part-time office staff, a full time facilities supervisor and a part time facilities assistant. The staff is currently rounded out with our interim lead pastor.

Our Flock

? Current adult attendance at two Sunday services averages 440 individuals. ? An average of 140 children and youth attend on Sunday mornings. ? BVC has long been a supporter of the use of musical, dramatic and visual arts in worship and

was a pioneer in bringing early contemporary Christian artists to the area. ? Sunday morning worship in song is led by one of four different worship bands which serve on

a rotating basis. ? 35 Sundays a year there is a separate middle and high school worship service called Converge. ? There are two youth bands that alternate leading worship in Converge. ? The BVC congregation includes persons previously unchurched and from a variety of

denominational backgrounds. ? Bella Vista Church is a caring place, with members helping out others in need in a variety of

ways (e.g. funeral luncheons, meals, home and auto repairs, etc.). ? Members of Bella Vista Church founded the Pregnancy Resource Center, an effective crisis

pregnancy center in Grand Rapids, and Life International, which is making a significant impact for life where abortion is present around the world. ? In 2012 BVC will be hosting its third Feed my Starving Children food pack. Under the direction of this Christian relief ministry, BVC members have purchased the food for and packed 200,000 nutritious meals. ? Including youth and adults, nearly 100 people participated in short-term mission projects in 2011. ? The 2010/2011 church budget was $740,000. ? The 2010/2011 missions budget was $124,000. ? Our 2010/2011 Harvest offering (to offer additional support to missions projects) was $56,000 ? Members of our youth and adult short term missions teams raised an additional $64,000 to fund their ministry. ? Bella Vista Church is debt free.

Bella Vista Church is currently half way through its leadership transition, having called Dr. Jeremy

Grinnell to be BVC's teaching pastor. Dr. Jim Carlson is serving as Lead Pastor in an interim

capacity while we seek the right person to fill this position on a full time, permanent basis. Under

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the capable leadership of these godly men, Bella Vista Church is growing and continuing to live out its purpose of obediently following Jesus Christ by passionately loving God and people as

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energized by the Holy Spirit.

BVC Governance

Bella Vista Church is an independent non-denominational church. The head of Bella Vista Church is the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. No decision is ever knowingly made that would contradict any of Jesus' teachings or any of the Scriptures. In addition, through the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Bella Vista leadership endeavors to discern God's direction for the church.

Elders are the key leaders at Bella Vista. Our understanding of the Scriptures is that a group of men called Elders are to govern the local church. (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5). Elders are spiritually qualified, mature men who are directly accountable to God for the well being of the church (1 Timothy 3:1?7; Titus 1:5?10; Hebrews 13:17). Elders are to rule well, and those under their care are to respect them (1 Peter 5:1-4).

The Elders act as a board of directors for the church, delegating day-to-day ministry affairs to the staff, other ministry responsibilities to the Ministry Advisory Councils, and church business responsibilities to the Administrative Council. The Lead Pastor serves as a member of the elder board, but is not the chairman.

The Area

The City of Rockford, Michigan, located on the banks of the Rogue River in northern Kent County, is just 15 miles from Grand Rapids city center. While providing its residents, patrons, and local merchants the amenities of a larger metropolitan area, the City of Rockford, with a population of just over 5000, has been able to retain its small town charm and ambiance. The city has many quaint shopping boutiques and restaurants in its compact downtown area. It is in close proximity to several lakes, rivers, nature areas, and trails for walking and biking and is only a 40 mile drive from Lake Michigan. Rockford is also home to Wolverine World Wide, makers of Hush Puppies, Merrell, Cat, Chaco, Patagonia and other brands of footwear. The Rockford Public Schools system has a total enrollment of 8000 and all 12 of its schools have received Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School certification. There are also a number of Christian primary and secondary schools in the area.

Grand Rapids, with a population of 190,000, and a metro area population of 774,000 is the largest city in West Michigan and the second largest city in the state. It is the area's cultural and business center and was home to Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States. Some of the largest employers in the Grand Rapids area include Spectrum Health, Meijer Inc., Spartan Stores, Steelcase, and Alticor (parent company of Amway). Notable museums include The Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum, The Grand Rapids Public Museum, The Grand Rapids Art Museum, Fredrik Meijer Gardens, and the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. There are numerous colleges and universities, both public and private, in the area as well as four theological seminaries. Grand Rapids is also home to the Michigan Street Medical Corridor. It includes the Van Andel Institute research center, The Grand Rapid's Community College's Calkins Science Center, Spectrum Health's Butterworth Hospital complex, Grand Valley State University's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, and the Michigan State University Secchia Center Medical School and other facilities. Travel to and from Grand Rapids is facilitated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport whose eight airlines serve 6000 passengers daily.

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BVC Lead Pastor Job Description

A full-time position reporting to the elder board

Summary: Works closely with the Teaching Pastor and oversees the staff members and church ministries, day to day church operations, participates on the elder board and provides pastoral care.

Responsibilities

? Responsible for the general oversight of all staff. This includes annual evaluations, providing for staff development, building staff unity, leading staff meetings and providing spiritual leadership to all staff.

? Work with the Teaching Pastor and elders in the development and implementation of the mission and resulting ministries of the Church.

? Oversee all the ministries of the Church, utilizing the giftedness of ministry staff and directors who have direct responsibility for ministry activities.

? Assist in the planning, preparation and execution of the Sunday worship services as requested.

? Preach 8 to 10 Sunday's per year in the absence of the Teaching Pastor and teach as time and opportunities allow.

? Serve as a member of the elder board, contributing to all discussions and facilitating communication between staff and elders.

? Share with the Teaching Pastor and elders in the pastoral care ministries (hospital visitations, weddings and funerals, etc).

? Counseling men or families as time and opportunity allow.

? Work with elders and the Administrative Council in Church programming, development and implementation of policies and procedures, preparation and oversight of Church budget and other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

The Bella Vista Church Lead Pastor must:

? be a mature and growing Christian, having an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. ? be of the highest moral character and evidence the characteristics described for elders in 1Tim. 3

and Titus 1. ? be strongly committed to the authority of Scripture in the life of the church and the

individual believer. ? be open to the gifting and leading of the Holy Spirit in his own and others' lives. ? evidence a reliance on God's power and a devotion to prayer. ? embrace the vision of Bella Vista Church and be in full agreement with the BVC Statement of Faith. ? have proven ministry experience. ? be able to provide leadership to a diverse group of staff members. ? have experience managing and evaluating personnel in a ministry environment. ? have experience formulating objectives, standards and procedures. ? have a working knowledge of and experience in developing budgets. ? be able to handle the multiple demands of the position and work well under pressure. ? have a strong biblical and theological education. ? be a competent communicator of God's Word. ? be committed to missions and the Great Commission. ? have the loving heart of a shepherd, eager to be a guide to people at any point in their spiritual journey. ? maintain a healthy balance between the needs of his family, his own physical, emotional and

spiritual health and the demands of the ministry.

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Bella Vista Church Bylaws

The elders and staff at BVC are guided in the decision making process by the Bella Vista Church Bylaws which were last amended on September 30th 2007. Article I pertains to the purpose and vision of Bella Vista Church and reads as follows:

Section D. The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is a divine person who convicts people of sin. In the life of the believing community, He gives new birth, seals salvation, dispenses spiritual gifts, develops holiness, and empowers for service. (John 3:5?6; 14:16?17; 16:8?11; 1 Corinthians 12:12?13; Ephesians 1:13?14)

Section A. Purpose As a body of believers, our purpose is to obediently follow Jesus Christ by passionately loving God and loving people as we are energized by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 22:37?39).

Section E. Humanity God made humankind in His own image, but because of Adam, humankind fell into sin. Because we are now sinners, both by nature and by choice, only God's favor through the

Section B. Vision Our vision is to build relationships with unchurched people and present them with a

work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit can restore us. (Genesis 1:26; 2:17; John 5:40; Romans 3:9?10, 19?23; 6:23, Ephesians 2:1?3; 1 John 3:8)

compassionate, creative and culturally-relevant expression of the Gospel, and to help believers become committed followers of Jesus Christ and to impact the world with the truth, grace, and power of God (Matthew 28:18?20) . Article II provides the following doctrinal statement:

BVC Statement of Faith

Section F. Salvation Salvation comes to us by grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from any human merit. Jesus Christ is the only ground for our legal standing before God, which includes both forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Once made children of God by adoption and grace, we will never cease to be His children. (John 1:12, 5:24; 6:3; 7?44; Romans 3:20, 27-28; 5:1?7; 7?8; 10:9?10; 13; 1 Corinthians 1:29?31; 6:19?20; Ephesians 2:8?10;

Section A. The Bible

Colossians 1:13?14; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:4?5; 1 Peter 1:3?5; 1 John 2:19; Jude 1:24)

The Bible in its entirety originated with God, and it was given through the instrumentality of chosen human authors. The Bible is the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice. There are no other writings similarly inspired by God. The Bible is infallible and inerrant in the original manuscripts. (Psalm 119:89; Ephesians 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:16?17; Hebrews 1:1?2; 2 Peter 1:19?21)

Section G. The Church All those who have experienced salvation are members of the Church universal, which is the body of Christ. The Bible commands believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of Baptism and the Lord's Table, fellowship, service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts, and

Section B. God There is one true, holy God, eternally existing in three persons-- Father, Son and Holy Spirit--each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. In the beginning God created the universe and all living things out of nothing; thus, revealing the glory of His power, wisdom, and goodness. (Genesis 1:1?2; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1?3; Romans 1:20; 2 Corinthians 13:14;

outreach to the world. Wherever God's people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the Church. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and every local church has the right under Christ to govern itself. Under the watchful care of elders and other supportive leadership, its members are to work together in love and unity. (Matthew 16:18?19; 28:18?20; Acts 2:41?47; 13:1?3; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 12?14, Ephesians 1:22?23; 4:1?16, 5:25?27; Colossians 1:17?18; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Peter 5:1?2)

Ephesians 2:18; Colossians 1:15?16; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 1:4?6; 4:11)

Christ has commanded Baptism and the Lord's Table. Water baptism is an outward sign of

Section C. Jesus Christ Jesus Christ, true God and true man, was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died in our place on the cross, and rose bodily from the grave. He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father where He, the only Mediator between God and people, continually makes intercession for his own. He now rules and reigns as King of his kingdom,

the forgiveness of sins and the cleansing from sin that the Holy Spirit has performed, and will continue to perform, in the believer. Baptism, however, does not in any way merit salvation for the believer. At Christ's request and until His return, we regularly observe the Lord's Table as the table of acceptance, of forgiveness, of celebration, and of responsibility. (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24?27; Ephesians 2:8; Colossians 2:11?13)

already in evidence on earth through our obedient actions of stewardship, justice and mercy.

Section H. Human Destiny

He is also head of His church, which He personally indwells through the presence and work

All people will experience the resurrection. God will receive believers into eternal communion

of the Holy Spirit; so we, joined together in love and unity, might give witness to the world

and will reward them for their obedience. He will eternally separate unbelievers into

of Christ's body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way, and be built up together

condemnation. (John 5:28?29; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23;

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to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. He will come again to earth, personally and visibly, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. (Micah 6:8,

2 Thessalonians 1:7?10; Revelation 20:11?15)

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Matthew 1:18?25; 24:37?44; John 1:1?3; 13:35; 17:23; Ephesians 1:23; 2:22; Romans 8:34;

1 Corinthians 15:3?4, 51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:14?17; Hebrews 9:24; Revelation 19:11?16)

Contact Information

Individuals interested in exploring this position should forward their r?sum? along with an example of their preaching/teaching on CD, DVD, or at a website, to the following address: Scott Salik-Search Committee Chairman Bella Vista Church 5100 Belding Road NE Rockford, MI 49341 R?sum?s may also be submitted at search@ Scott Salik can be reached at: email: search@ Phone: (616) 821-8875 Bella Vista Church Phone: (616) 874-7727 Web:

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