These are the documents and details pertaining to the Pastoral Team Lead (formerly Executive Pastor) Proposal.
Please review the initial proposal and Alvin’s doc on why he believes he is called to be the Mimico Baptist Church Pastoral Team Lead.
FAQs
| How can we afford this? | Currently, our budget already allots a salary for a full-time position. The parsonage has not been used as part of a compensation package since Pastor Jim retired. The Exec Pastor would be allowed to reside in the parsonage in lieu of a salary. |
| For Alvin, how can handle a full-time position with CBOQ and this? | Alvin has volunteered in other significant roles in the past few years (e.g. co-chaplain of Raptors 905). He will complete his term with some of those volunteer positions to make room for this 1/4 time position. |
| Why do we need an executive pastor? | This proposal aims to broaden the impact of our current resources. As outlined, having the full-time position be filled with someone mandated on our primary focus (whether that would be discipleship formation, community engagement, kids and family ministries, etc.) demonstrates our commitment to that primary focus. Having Alvin in the part-time executive pastor allows us to utilize his gifts and strengths in making our ministries more effective by providing systems and oversight. |
| What will happen with those MBC ministries that Alvin already volunteers in (e.g. livestream)? | Part of the intent with the exec pastor position is to better organize and delegate towards the gifts and strengths of our church members. Some of those responsibilities (e.g. communications) will be part of this role. Others (e.g. livestream) are aimed to be shared with other volunteers and/or reassessed in terms of its continuance. |
| If we don’t have a consistent full-time preacher, won’t that bring discontinuity in our services? | While we will have different preachers in our services, the role of the exec pastor is to bring that continuity not just within one of the services (e.g. 10:30 service) but also with the different services and ministries. This is not to say the exec pastor will dictate what the specific content is for all speakers or the direction and topics of each ministry, but will help to bring some cohesion between the different services and ministries to have a clearer direction. |
| What if someone expects a visitation from the pastor? | The proposal suggests that congregation care should be done with the congregation as a whole supporting one another. Some of that may be delegated by the exec pastor to other members. There may be some situations where a visit from the pastor is warranted. However, the expectation is not that the pastor solely visits others. |
| Do we have any other options besides this proposal? | This proposal is not meant to be all-or-nothing. Revisions to it can be discussed within the congregation and a different outcome may happen. The congregation can also choose to decide to reject this proposal and pursue another option like having a full-time senior pastor (as previous). |
| What is our timeline? | Jan 12: initial presentation of the proposal Feb 2: special members meet to discuss the proposal. Also, if there is a sense that the proposal can proceed and Alvin is considered the candidate, the congregation will have an opportunity to ask questions as part of the screening process; this may also happen at a later date. Feb 23: vote at the Church Life Meeting (if applicable) Note: These dates are not set in stone and may change based on the congregation’s decisions. |
| How long is the new arrangement expected to last? | The arrangement would be for the foreseeable future. There would not be a time limit however this can be changed in the future depending on where and how God continues to lead Mimico Baptist. Our church has discerned and adapted based on what God’s provided and assessed for the needs of the time (e.g. hiring a Mandarin-speaking pastor). If/when we determine a shift is needed, we can reconsider our staff structure at that time. |
| How does Pastor Lin Ying factor into this? | Pastor Lin Ying would continue with many of her day-to-day functions. Adjustments in how the church continues to fulfill its mandate to be “a community of Christ sharing Christ with our communities” will also involve her input. |
| Is the associate pastor a temporary position? Eg. Would they be asked to leave after being ordained and serving several years? What if they want to stay? | The associate position is meant to be a permanent position and would not have a contract end date. (Like any position hiring, there may be a probationary period.) If/when the person completes their tenure will be discussed with the individual. |
| If we hire a younger single person as associate pastor besides the executive pastor could they for example rent say the basement of the parsonage given the high cost of accommodation in TO? We recognize the basement would need modifications. | This would require significant renovations to make it a plausible solution. That would be a decision the board would need to lead in terms of if/how the parsonage is used (including the consideration of selling the property) and what costs would be associated. Personally, unless the parsonage is renovated in such a way as to have 2 “apartment” residences, it would be unfair to expect the exec pastor’s family and potentially associate pastor (and family?) to be roommates. Any major decisions such as major renovations (i.e. structural changes) would likely need the congregation’s input if not also their vote. |
| How can a part-time pastor manage staff and oversee the vision and direction of the church? | In the past, a significant time was spent by the pastor in doing some of the work of the church. (e.g. Pastor Jim was involved in leading the youth ministry, Bible studies, an ESL class, etc.) The responsibility of the Executive Pastor would be to give oversight with staff and ministry leads, trusting those teams to implement the vision and purpose ultimately given by God. In this arrangement, the Exec Pastor can be considered the lead pastor in terms of having the primary responsibility of guiding the church in its mandate as outlined by the board. Therefore the Executive Pastor is not involved in the implementation / work of most of the ministries. |
| What is the advantage of this arrangement compared to having a full-time senior pastor? | The main advantage of this arrangement is having two persons (not 2 full-time positions) for the cost of one full-time senior pastor. e.g. If someone with Alvin’s similar experience (including years of ordination) and education were the senior pastor, based on the CBOQ pastors compensation tool, that person’s salary would be approx. $93,000 (including the use of the parsonage). However, in this arrangement, the Association Pastor’s salary will likely be similar to the full-time salary currently allotted in the 2025 budget and the parsonage’s value can be used as a separate compensation tool i.e. for the Exec. Pastor. |
| Why are we using the title of “executive pastor”? It sounds too corporate/business-like. | The purpose of an executive pastor is to manage staff and ministries with the church’s mission as the central focal point. The initially proposed job description aligns with the conventional responsibilities of an executive pastor. However, since there are some overlaps with some of the responsibilities associated with a lead/senior pastor, there can be discussion about revising the title with an understanding of what it actually represents at Mimico Baptist. |