Lead Pastor Profile

Taber Evangelical Free Church is praying for God’s provision of a Lead Pastor with pastoral experience and a servant-leader heart who senses God’s call to be its shepherd. 

TEFC took root in the town of Taber almost 80 years ago through a children’s ministry that began in the home of a lady who moved here at that time. Soon after, out of that ministry, regular church services began and affiliation with the Evangelical Free Church was established. Over the years, through the leadership of ten resident pastors and half-dozen associates, the church has grown while impacting the lives of many people in Taber and beyond. Several different buildings have accommodated the church, the most recent being a commercial building that the church acquired and renovated for its use in 2008 and expanded in 2016. 

Despite setbacks due to the pandemic and other factors, the church has had a thriving ministry to children, youth, and adults of all ages. Sunday morning attendance is currently about 120 within a total church congregation of about 180 people. Through a recent renewal effort, including restructuring and revisioning, it is anticipated, under the appropriate pastoral leadership, that the church is ready to continue to develop and grow in the community and beyond. TEFC’s current vision is to build a disciple-making community around the Gospel summed up in the slogan, Know, Grow, Go. Prioritizing the centrality of the Gospel, the church is committed to making disciples through its worship services, small group ministries, and many service opportunities in the community. While the region has strong traditional Christian influence, the church believes there is a great need for vibrant Christian ministry that attracts both local and immigrant peoples to Christ.  

Taber itself is a community that provides significant opportunity for church ministry development and expansion because of its location and industry. An extensive irrigation network providing favourable growing conditions has produced a healthy and prosperous agricultural industry. The variety of crops includes potatoes, cereal grains, sugar beets and, of course, Taber’s famous corn! The agricultural produce has brought to Taber and surrounding area a sugar beet processing plant and two potato processing plants. Within the Municipal District of Taber, the town itself has the amenities of a community of almost 14,000, featuring all the charm and friendliness of “rural Alberta.” Appropriately, the Town of Taber is described as “A Great Place to Grow.”

A recent assessment process concluded that the following represents the most desirable personal characteristics and ministry skills in the church’s next lead pastor: 

Personal Characteristics:

• Humble and Servant-like spirit: Someone who demonstrates humility and is a true servant-leader. 
• Life and Family Experience: A family man who is able to relate with people of all ages and someone who, along with his wife, is hospitable.
• Theological and Ministry Education: One who has theological and ministry training in a recognized evangelical college or seminary in Canada. 
• Spiritual Depth: Someone who knows the Bible well but also experientially and practically.
• Gifted Leader: A person who can develop ministry teams to serve the church and community with grace, confidence, and effectiveness. 

Pastoral Skills:

• Preaching and Teaching. A pastor who is well equipped to be a good preacher and teacher of the whole Bible with clarity and grace.
• Pastoral Care. Someone who is a true shepherd, able to graciously and sensitively offer pastoral care to people of all ages in the church family.
• Disciple Making. One who is effective in biblically developing and equipping people for life and service in the church and the community.
• Evangelism. The church desires a pastor who has passion and ability to reach people in the community with the Gospel.
• Administration. It is important that TEFC’s lead pastor has the ability to work with existing leadership and ministry teams to fulfill the church’s mission and vision in the context of its congregational governing style. 

Applicants must be Canadian citizens and licensed with, or willing to be licensed, with the Evangelical Free Church of Canada. For further information about the church, please visit the Church website. Those interested in employment in this role are invited to submit their résumé with references, and audio sermon access information (if available), to hr@taberefc.ca. Receipt of your résumé will be acknowledged, and you will be contacted if the church has further interest in pursuing your submission. Applications will be received until November 1, 2023.