Did you know that the SBC website has church job listings throughout the country? Some of those vacancies could use a little extra advertising, so I’ve taken it upon myself to highlight one every once in a while (with a modicum of humor mixed in).
Go west, young man, to Westside Baptist Church in Gillette, Wyoming. The church posted an announcement for a Lead Revitalization Pastor on September 19, and if it wasn’t obvious from the title, the 50-ish-year-old church is looking for revitalization. The candidate must be an “energetic visionary,” which is fitting for the “Energy Capital of the Nation.” And you’ll need a lot of energy because you are expected to lead in outreach “through worship, Bible Study, witnessing, networking, encouraging, and strengthening our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.” Relationship building seems to be the main emphasis of the announcement. The nice thing is, you don’t have to do it alone. “Our new Lead Pastor will have the support of a strong music ministry, Sunday School teachers, and a dedicated transition team.”
In addition to the promised support, the church has many other things going for it. Based on my perusal of their Facebook profile, they have updated their facility with stackable cushioned chairs for seating, projectors, and television monitors. I also found a favorable Yelp review from Alana in Milesville, South Dakota: “I grew up going to Westside Baptist Church, and it was amazing. They used to have a great Teamkids and youth program. The pastors this church has had have been great…” It’s been about 10 years since she lived there, but the church definitely left a positive impression on her. By the way, Alana also recommends the cinnamon bagels at The Main Bagel, so be sure to stop in and get one if you are called to serve at Westside.
The position is listed as “part-time,” but it is still worth checking out even if “part-time” doesn’t sound like a livable wage. The church is offering housing with utilities paid for in addition to an undisclosed salary. The “part-time” designation could be a misnomer or at least more doable than you might think. Besides, the church seems poised for numerical growth, and you might be able to rework that salary package before too long.
Why do I think the church is poised for growth? The same reason it needs revitalization. Multiple times over the last hundred years, Gillette has doubled in population over a short period of time. In the 1970s, the town gave rise to the term “Gillette Syndrom” after a study was published about the impacts of fast growth on population centers. Based on the most recent census data, from 2000 to 2010 the population increased by almost 50% — from just shy of 20,000 residents to just shy of 30,000 residents. I suspect the church has not experienced similar growth trends, but they certainly could, and the announcement indicates they’re ready for it.
But what about the town itself? Is it truly “Gillette, the best a man can get,” or is its original name from the 1800s, “Donkey Town,” a more apt description? I suspect the former is more accurate. Gillette is located in the Powder River Basin between the Bighorn Mountains and the Black Hills, which means you can visit some of the most beautiful and interesting places in the U.S. There’s Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore, and the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Pronghorn sheep are abundant and draw hunters from around the world. Gillette has multiple large complexes and venues that host major events like the National High School Finals Rodeo. There’s an ice arena for playing hockey, ice skating, and curling. And don’t forget the recreation center that has a 42-ft climbing wall that looks like Devils Tower, basketball courts, a six-lane track, swimming and diving facilities, and five indoor tennis courts.
If you feel God is calling you to serve at Westside Baptist Church, you can find information on how to apply here. Tell them you heard about it on SBC Voices, and drop me a line if they call you to serve. God bless.