First Free Rockford in Rockford, Illinois is eager to welcome a new Executive Pastor to their team. After 14 years of faithful ministry, Executive Minister Steve Ralph is retiring in April 2024. His departure creates an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Executive Pastor to step into a healthy context to build up and maximize all the great things that are happening here.

Overview

First Free Rockford is a thriving, multigenerational congregation of about 1,100 attendees. Led for the past seven years by Lead Pastor Luke Uran, First Free Rockford has a clear vision to see all generations go, tell and show the love of God in the city of Rockford and around the world. They are motivated to move out on mission to bring people into relationship with Jesus Christ as they worship together, grow together and serve together. This clarity of purpose has shaped the relational culture within the church. Through Life Groups and other small communities for all ages, people deepen relationships with God and friendships with each other. They also give and serve together generously, partnering with dozens of missionaries and nonprofit organizations serving Rockford and in various locations around the world. This kind of culture will resonate with the Executive Pastor who will join them on the journey. He will play a key role in helping the congregation and team to realize even greater Kingdom impact in Rockford and beyond.

Founded in 1884, First Free Rockford is a pillar in this community. Known as “the big white church” on the corner of a main thoroughfare, the beautiful 32-acre property and 110,000 square foot facility serve as a significant Kingdom outpost in this city. The considerable footprint includes ample parking, attractive grounds and an outdoor concert amphitheater that, in years past, could seat up to 3,000 attendees and drew top Christian artists like Michael W. Smith among others. The interior of the building includes a 1,900-seat worship center, a full-size gymnasium, modern children and youth spaces as well as ample space for adult programming.

To meet the unique worship desires of a multi-generational congregation, First Free offers five venues for Sunday morning worship. Two distinct worship services are held on the main campus: a classic venue (8:30 a.m.) complete with orchestra and choir, and contemporary venue (10:30 a.m.) led by a worship band. These venues welcome roughly 400 and 500 attendees, respectively. There is also a venue located at the Rockford Rescue Mission that welcomes between 50-100 people each week, and at the Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, which welcomes about 50-60 attendees. The attendance of the online venue varies week to week. Each in-person venue is facilitated by an on-site pastor who guides services and shepherds attendees while sermon messages are live streamed from the worship center.

First Free Rockford is part of the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA). The church is governed by a team of 12 Executive Elders who prayerfully support, empower and advise the Lead Pastor. There is also a team of 9 Shepherding Elders who care for the spiritual needs of the congregation. The Executive Pastor may participate in Executive Elder meetings as an ex-officio member in order to support the Lead Pastor in the outflow of those meetings, whether as a safe place to discuss topics, communicate about next steps or craft plans with staff for implementation. Generous, but also fiscally responsible, the church has a $3.2 million dollar budget with no outstanding debt. They have ample cash reserves and benefits from a trust that was established to ensure enduring resources are available for foreign missions and missional outreach. The church employs 27 full- and part-time staff who are talented, hard-working and dedicated. Overall, First Free is positioned well to dream big and realize those dreams.

While partnering with the Lead Pastor to advance and support all the ministries of the church, the incoming Executive Pastor will provide direct leadership to staff and contracted agencies engaged in the operational ministries of the church including Finance/Administration, Human Resources/Personnel, IT, Communications and Facilities/Maintenance. He will serve on the personnel and finance committees. He will help to inspire and encourage operational staff with a ministry mindset and to know the important role they play in accomplishing the mission of the church. The hire of Family Ministries Pastor Dave Creek in the fall of 2023 has set the stage for a Senior Leadership Team (SLT) comprised of Lead Pastor Luke Uran, Family Pastor Dave Creek (overseeing birth through adult program ministries) and the incoming Executive Pastor (overseeing operational ministries). The ideal candidate will bring experience and complementary strengths to this team model, setting the stage for an empowered leadership paradigm where complementary talent around the table works in concert with one another to guide First Free toward a bright and fruitful future.

The Opportunity

First Free Rockford has made a lasting spiritual imprint on the lives of this congregation as well as in the community of Rockford and beyond. Generations have been, and continue to be, shaped by this wonderful church. Ministries operate with the whole family in mind and convey a sincere desire to help people know Jesus and grow in their walk with Him. Wednesday evenings find the church bustling with activities as children, students and adults gather at the church for age-appropriate ministry, Bible study and prayer. Throughout the week, nearly 80 percent of attendees participate in a small group, which is an exceptional marker of discipleship. This congregation highly values biblical education and loves Pastor Luke’s expository approach to teaching God’s Word. Sunday sermons are grounded in the biblical text with relevant application that helps people take what they learn into everyday life.

The church has a well-established missional presence in this region, too. Annually the doors open to the community for various events, including “Christmas Traditions” which utilizes over 200 church volunteers and draws in roughly 5,000 attendees. The gym is used weekly by the Special Olympics chapter as well as community groups playing basketball and pickleball. A Chinese Church meets weekly in the building and ESL classes for adults are offered throughout the year. A Mom’s Day Out program is facilitated on Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. using the children’s wing, and the church serves Rockford area families with “Summerama,” a fun and caring outdoor day camp experience for pre-K kids through those entering grade 6 for seven weeks during the summer.

Clearly, the building and property of First Free are tremendous resources to be sustained, maximized and optimized. Not only would people love to see new and fresh inroads crafted that improve connectivity between facility usage and Gospel advancement, but to see bonds strengthened between those who schedule, set up and clean up with those who lead missional or program ministries to enhance the sense of teamwork, understanding and purpose derived in these activities. Questions are asked about how best to invite people in or to intentionally communicate to those who use the building about the many faith growing opportunities available for people of all ages. As giving trends change with the emergence of new generations in the work force, the church must continue to innovate and remain open to fresh ideas around maximizing financial resources. Are there new ways the facility/grounds could generate revenue to further advance God’s work through First Free? The incoming Executive Pastor will be attuned to these kinds of opportunities and will initiate and advance the right conversations to explore them.

The building is an exceptional resource, but it also has its challenges. It was designed with staff offices distributed throughout the building rather than centralized in one area. This has contributed to a ministry “silo” reality for staff which must be intentionally overcome. Both the Lead Pastor and current Executive Minister spoke of “getting their steps in” as they actively pursue connection with staff members throughout the week. Currently, many meetings are held “as needed” with all staff meetings taking place once a month. Departmental meetings have various rhythms and individual meetings with direct reports take place quarterly. There is a sense from staff that they meet too infrequently to galvanize their sense of team. While no one wants “death by meeting,” it is critical for the incoming Executive Pastor and others on the SLT to recognize the benefit of bringing people together with more regularity. Creating time and space for relationship building, dreaming, planning, informing and communication is critical to helping staff feel like they are working together to accomplish the bigger picture. Given the limited approach currently taken, it would not be surprising if more regular meetings feel excessive at first. However, the need is real and the incoming Executive Pastor will have an opportunity to reshape the value of meetings in order to strengthen the health, synergy and vitality of this staff.

Throughout the staff there is an expressed need and desire for improved communication. Currently, staff feel informed on a “need to know” basis with many feeling like they are out of the loop much of the time. Some are informed of what is happening along with the congregation during Sunday morning services. Clearly, there is an opportunity to improve the quality and flow of communication within the organization, and the incoming Executive Pastor will play a key role in implementing and delivering consistent, timely communication to all staff. With highly competent departmental leaders at the helm, and a staff that wants to be as effective and efficient as possible, communication must rise to the level of their shared aspirations. Even if a meeting has no practical or tangible purpose in the moment, there is communication value in time together; listening to what is happening in other areas, discussing relevant issues, sharing perspectives, troubleshooting and praying together. For a team that is already talented, committed and engaged, these kinds of activities will strengthen communication and alignment that could yield exponential returns.

The Executive Pastor role is just one of a number of staff changes occurring in this season at First Free. Even positive changes, like a retirement, can take a toll on a team and congregation that values its feeling of “family.” However, it also creates a strategic opportunity to view the ministry with fresh eyes, to explore ways to further develop the team dynamic and improve communication and meeting rhythms. As the staff onboard and get to know one another, it is important to create opportunities for connection including regularly scheduled weekly meetings, intentional team building exercises and shared planning sessions. These kinds of gatherings will play a key role in coalescing and synergizing new members into this group. The incoming Executive Pastor will have an opportunity to unify all staff and to assess and improve areas where a new approach may add some value.

As the new SLT comes together, establishing new and improved meeting and communication rhythms with this team will be important. It is vital that this group meet regularly to intentionally build trust with one another and explore how best to meld their leadership strengths and experiences into an effective and meaningful team. Ideally, the Executive Pastor will understand best practice and optimal standards for organizational effectiveness. The Executive Pastor will keep Pastor Luke and Pastor Dave in the loop on operational matters so they feel informed and aware, while championing and developing a mindset throughout the staff that appreciates operations as an integral part of each ministry.

The Candidate

Pastor Luke is an intelligent leader who focuses and operates from a place of authenticity, conviction and deep integrity. He has settled well into his role as Lead Pastor and seems both comfortable and assured in his calling to lead First Free for years to come. He is also a verbal processor who appreciates an Executive Pastor who can be a confidant and supportive partner to him, allowing him a safe space to talk through issues, emotions, ideas and decisions. He wants an Executive Pastor who is knowledgeable, wise, even-keeled and steady; someone who is not afraid to push back or speak out their own convictions, but will consistently serve as a unifying champion with the staff and elders as a decision or direction is rolled out. A person who is wishy-washy or unable to speak their own opinion will not work well with Pastor Luke. He will resonate with an Executive Pastor who filters through the lens of facts first rather than emotion; someone who doesn’t equivocate or make excuses when things go wrong, but owns up to his mistakes or admits what he doesn’t know. Also, Pastor Luke loves to golf. He would love an Executive Pastor who would join him on one of the 7 beautiful golf courses located within an easy 30 minute radius of the church.

Pastor Luke wants to be able to rely on the candor, accuracy and financial acumen of his Executive Pastor, so it is important the incoming leader be comfortable and well versed in best practices in the financial, operational and managerial side of the church. This includes areas like strategic planning, leadership development, finance, personnel/HR, facilities/maintenance, IT and communications. He must know how to gain the right information to inform leadership in areas like legal, insurance/benefits and negotiations with outside contractors. There is a need for someone who is able to both speak into the formation of the big picture with Pastor Luke and the Elders, and then attend to the implementation of the vision at a more detailed level with Pastor Dave, staff and lay leaders.

As a mature and wise leader, the ideal Executive Pastor will be the non-anxious presence in the room, setting a tone for others that is kind and grace-filled, yet strives for excellence and values accuracy and accountability. The staff do not wish to be micro-managed. Rather, they will benefit from an Executive Pastor who is supportive, empowering and resourceful as they strive to do their best. Serving a multi-generational congregation and multi-faceted ministry can yield tensions as both staff and congregants express their preferences and felt needs. So, it is important the Executive Pastor possess strong, positive inter-personal and communication skills. He must be well-versed in how to listen, empathize and navigate crucial conversations. He will “go toward the barking dog” when it comes to conflict, and will address issues and problems quickly and effectively, before they loom large.

Fitting with the ethos of First Free, the right Executive Pastor will understand and facilitate the spiritual discipleship and developmental process in people. He will possess a heart that desires to see people grow into their potential and will express an open, accessible leadership persona. He will be a hub of understanding about the bigger picture and action plan, and will optimize or create the kinds of systems for organization-wide communication that results in staff feeling informed, aligned and moving together with purpose. As a positive leadership influencer on the weekends, one might see him greeting people as they come into the church or moving throughout the building to ensure ministry staff have what they need. During the week, he will “manage by walking around” and will take the initiative to understand staff needs by personally engaging with them and their ministry, and not just observing them. He will be quick to lend a hand when helpful and will foster a workplace environment that is connected, fun and relational.

The incoming Executive Pastor will likely encounter some skepticism as he enters into his role. While Rockford and First Free are friendly, people noted that there is also a bit of a skeptical nature embedded within the culture. People trust those they know, and they want to feel known and heard before they are willing to trust. Often, those coming from the outside are met with initial kindness and warmth, but it will take effort to earn their trust. They desire authenticity and integrity, so taking responsibility and doing what you say you will do is very important here. They resonate with leaders who take the first step toward others; those who express interest, listen, invite their input and welcome critique without becoming defensive tend to be well-received. Remaining aloof or too far behind the scenes will not work here. An ability to build relationships is the key as rapport and trust are developed with each relational deposit made.

The Location

Nestled along the scenic Rock River, Rockford, Illinois, offers an exceptional blend of convenience and natural beauty, making it a wonderful place to call home. Located an easy 90 minute drive along I-90 northwest of Chicago, Rockford carries all the characteristics of a “rust belt“ city. Primarily known for making fasteners, screws and other hardware, Rockford was built on a labor culture where a strong work ethic and dependability is valued. While pockets of poverty exist and offer an accessible mission field to the church, Rockford is also home to a diverse population, a growing culinary scene and lively downtown area. An affordable cost of living ensures a comfortable and fulfilling experience for new residents. With good schools, numerous parks, and a welcoming community spirit, Rockford offers an exceptional quality of life.

Preferred Candidate Qualifications

These descriptions represent preferred experience or background:

  • A committed relationship to Jesus Christ and passion to see the local church mobilized on mission. Spiritually mature and emotionally intelligent.
  • Theologically aligned with the Evangelical Free Church of America;
  • Bachelor’s degree required; MBA and/or ministerial Master’s degree strongly preferred.
  • A minimum of 10 years of experience in church operational leadership, including oversight of paid staff as well as volunteers. Substantial experience in business, not for profit/para-church leader along with significant leadership in a lay role will also be considered.
  • Preference for Executive Pastor experience in a context greater than 500 attendees with management of multiple operational departments such as finance, HR, facilities, IT, and communications. This could be in the role of Executive Pastor, Administrative Pastor, Director of Finance or Human Resources, depending upon the context and scope of responsibility.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills that provide clarity and consistency for the organization.
  • Mature faith and wisdom that has been tested and proven through experience and intimacy with Jesus, and results in an authentic, prayerful Spirit-empowered faith journey.
  • Gifted leader of leaders who instills confidence in others and thrives when they are able to identify talent, support and develop people, and mobilize their team.

Inquiry Process

If after reading this description you have interest in the Executive Pastor position at First Free Rockford, and you feel you meet the qualifications for the role, you are invited to submit the following information for consideration:

  1. Your resume or CV (in Word format only).
  2. The results of any personal assessments you have completed (StrengthsFinder; DiSC; Meyers-Briggs, etc.) in the last three years.
  3. Five references (one supervisor, two peer, one subordinate, and one of your choice). These references will be contacted later in the process with your prior approval.
  4. Written responses to the following five questions (prepared and attached in a Word document).

a. Describe your faith in Jesus Christ. Tell us how you came to personal faith as well as your journey into full time ministry.

b. What is it about the opportunity at First Free Rockford that attracts you to this position and what, in your experience, has best prepared you for this job?

c. What are two or three of your core strengths, and how have you used your core strengths to positively shape or advance the church or organization you served?

d. It has been said the best leaders lead with a limp. How have you been personally shaped by brokenness or failure?

e. Describe your philosophy of “leading from the second chair.”

Please submit your information to:

Kara Bubar, Search Associate

NL Moore & Associates

kara@nlmoore.com

865-200-7983