Church Profile:

West Center Baptist Church

322 W. Center St.

Madison, SD 57042

History: See Attached

Membership: 371 Members / 123 Active

Attendance: Average was 174 at the end of May 2014

Services: One service on Sunday mornings.

Church Programs: Sunday school for all ages; youth and Awana on Wednesday evening; Several Bible studies at various times; Discipleship training groups.

Ministry Direction and Philosophy of the Church

Core Value: To build healthy disciples of Jesus Christ that impact their world.

Discipleship Process: The process of discipleship involves joining God as he makes us more like Jesus. The primary tools God uses in our lives are:

  • His people
  • His Word
  • His Spirit

As a more mature disciple shares their life with us, we begin to catch a vision for what being a disciple looks like. As we saturate ourselves in God’s Word the Holy Spirit grows our faith in Him. As our faith grows, we begin to imitate the lives of Jesus and mature disciples, taking baby steps in witness, obedience, and love for others. As we see God come through for us, our faith is strengthened even more, motivating us to grow closer in relationship, deeper in God’s Word, and relying more completely on God’s Spirit. We then take larger steps of faith in each area of our lives. This process becomes a virtuous cycle leading to ever increasing faith, maturity, and unity.

Congregation Information:

Children and Youth:Adults:

AGE:0-56-1011-1819-3031-4546-6061+

41%25%34%6%33%26%35%

Congregational Vocations:

Blue collarWhite collar

40%60%

Attendance Patterns:

Average Weekly Attendance by Year:

200920102011201220132014

238217201183174161

Strengths – West Center Baptist Church stands firmly on the inerrancy of God’s Word, training pastors, leaders, and members through discipleship. We are a fiscally responsible and generous church, eager to serve our body and meet the needs of our community. We strive to build Christ-like relationships through our missions, children’s, women’s, and other ministries, which reach many members of our congregation and community.

Areas of Growth – Through the ReFocus process, West Center Baptist Church has identified areas in which we can grow, the main goal being to shift from being “me-first” to “Christ-first.” We are seeking to further develop our discipleship process and teach our members how to study God’s Word as individuals. We desire to facilitate Spirit-led participation of members in discipleship, identifying and utilizing spiritual gifts.

Theology - We support the West Center Baptist Church Statement of Faith and abide by The Covenant and Constitution of West Center Baptist Church which belongs to the North American Baptist Conference. (Downloads - West Center Baptist Church)

What we would like to see in a Pastor

  • Has a heart and proven track record for developing leaders
  • Pastoral experience working with and leading multiple staff
  • Demonstrating success in building disciples through relationships rather than events and programs
  • Strong interpersonal skills – able to personally connect with the wider congregation while cultivating deeper relationships with some
  • Whole-heartedly agrees with the Doctrinal Statement of West Center and is committed to expository preaching
  • Committed to maintaining personal time alone with God
  • Able and excited to help us continue implementing the priorities resulting from our recent vision and refocusing process
  • Teachable team player who is willing to engage in mutual accountability
  • History of making disciples who in turn make disciples who make disciples

Desired Educational Level

Seminary or Biblical Degree Required

Previous Pastoral Experience Required

Senior Pastor Benefit Package

Benefits

  • Benefit package ranges from $60,000 to $70,000 annually DOE/Q and includes:
  • Annual Salary
  • Health Care
  • Life Insurance
  • Retirement
  • Housing Allowance/Parsonage or salary Equivalent

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

To be paid by the church

  • Up to $3,000.00 (shared annually with staff) is available for mileage.
  • Up to $1,000.00 (shared annually with staff) is available for books for personal library.
  • Up to $3,000.00 (shared annually with staff) is available for continuing education, tuition & registrations.
  • Up to $400.00 (shared annuallywith staff) hospitality account is available for staff.
  • Up $100.00/month cell phone reimbursementpaid to employee.
  • 3 weeks (15 working days = 3 Sundays +12 days) of paid vacation.
  • Paid couple or family membership to the Madison Community Center.

Community Profile

Whether you are looking for the perfect summer vacation get-away or are coming to visit Dakota State University, the Madison community has a small-town atmosphere but is large on attractions. You will find plenty to do at one of our beautiful lakes, historic Prairie Village or at one of our many other attractions.

Outdoor Recreation

Lake Herman State Park is two miles west of Madison off SD Highway 34. The park is nestled along the shoreline of Lake Herman and offers 72 campsites and 2 camping cabins, boating, fishing, water sports and picnicking along with various natural and cultural programs and events. Walkers’ Point recreation area is located on Lake Madison, east of the city and offers many of the same activities at a 42-site campground, managed by the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department.

Indoor Recreation and Wellness

The Community Center, a 67,000 square foot building, is a partnership with the City of Madison and Dakota State University. The Community Center's mission is to serve the health, wellness, recreational and social needs of Madison, Dakota State University, and the surrounding area. One particular feature that the Community Center offers is a pool area that has a zero depth pool entry - great for small children and handicap accessibility. On the other side of the pool there are two 1-meter diving boards and six lanes for 25-yard lap swimming. The pool also includes an 80 ft. waterslide, a 12-person whirlpool, and a dry sauna. The Community Center features two racquetball courts, a large gym with wood flooring that has eight adjustable height basketball hoops and two volleyball courts. In addition to the many options the center offers, it includes a walking/running track, a weight-center with state-of-the-art fitness equipment and much more!

Performing Arts

It's Lights, Camera, Action at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse located on the north campus of Dakota State University! The Dakota Prairie Playhouse and Conference Center is a growing partnership between the arts, Dakota State University, and the community of Madison. The regional multipurpose facility was formed to provide a venue for the performing arts, as well as conference and trade shows. The complex contains an 80 ft. x 80 ft. conference center, large enough to accommodate banquet seating for 500 people. The theatre portion of the complex offers continental style seating for 700. A lobby joins the two facilities, which permits flexible use by two different groups simultaneously. The Dakota Prairie Playhouse has been the host for many great entertainment events such as the South Dakota State University Prairie Repertory Theatre, along with many productions from Dakota State University and the Madison Community. Whether it is a theatre production, banquet, or business meeting, Dakota Prairie Playhouse is your answer to hosting an event!

Museums

Another attraction in Madison is the Smith-Zimmermann Museum located directly on the campus of Dakota State University. The Smith-Zimmermann Museum allows you to explore Victorian furnishings in four period rooms along with early forms of transportation. The parlor has original furnishings and a unique souvenir cabinet along with a dining room setting, a 1920's style kitchen, and 18th Century bedroom! Also displayed in the museum are farm equipment and tools, including saws, and a replica claim-shanty that helps visitors interpret living conditions of homesteading days. The collection reflects the ethnic background of pioneers and their way of life during the development of eastern South Dakota. Come join us; we are open year-round with free admission with donations welcome.

Shopping

You will truly enjoy the shopping experience presented by historic downtown Madison. When visiting Madison, you will find everything and anything, from antiques to boutiques and bookstores to bakeries. What you won’t find are endless parking lots, warehouses of merchandise and crowds hustling get to the bottom of their shopping lists. Enjoy shopping as it was meant to be, while taking a relaxing stroll through our many unique shops.

Major Attractions

Historic Prairie Village, two miles west of Madison, SD on Hwys 34 & 81, has forty restored buildings, agriculture displays, steam tractors, a sawmill, operating railroad with turntable and round house, steam carousel and chapel car "Emmanuel." Camping is available with 150 electrical sites, modern showers, and dump station. Prairie Village provides a Gift Shop, daily carousel rides, and train rides during special events; the church can be rented for weddings or facilities for picnics and family reunions.

A lifelong resident of the Madison, South Dakota area, John C. Green has earned recognition in the art community through his faithful rendition of outdoor and scenic images that capture the spirit of his native state. He is an established artist with superb credentials. He recently celebrated his 30th year as a professional artist. John has received recognition in many art contests across the country. He is a three-time state duck stamp competitive winner and received the Judge's Award of Merit for his painting of mallards at the National Wildlife Art Show. The South Dakota Hall of Fame also selected him as State Artist of the Year in 1991. Though he has over 55 sold out limited editions already to his credit, John C. Green's career is just beginning! John's studio is located in downtown Madison.

Community Report Summary

The largest age group in Madison is 19-64 year olds, and the city is predominantly Caucasian. There is a large group of college students when school is in session. Households include a little more than half of city as married; others vary from alone elderly, college students, living with nonrelatives, and single parent families. The population has not increased nor decreased tremendously within the last 40 years. All schools in the city (elementary, middle, high school and DSU) have been recently updated to be state-of-the-art.

Ministry Position Open

After going through a congregational ReFocus journey, West Center Baptist Church in Madison, SD is seeking a Senior Pastor to preach the Word, train the congregation for spiritual maturity, and to help lead and strengthen our discipleship ministry.

History:

In 1883, Reverend H.L. Dietz, pastor of the German Baptist Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, came to Dakota Territory to view land he had inherited near Madison. Upon his arrival, he encouraged a group of families to organize a church. In November 1884, a Sunday school was started. Then on May 3, 1885, sixteen charter members organized The First German Baptist Church at the home of William Achterberg, who became the first pastor. The First Baptist Church generously granted use of their facilities, but it was soon apparent that a church building would be needed. The first church was constructed at the corner of Main Street (now known as SW 1st Street) and Liberty Avenue in 1886. The cost of the building site and structure was about $1,750. During the first ten years, the church added 141 members by letter.

In June of 1902 the need for a larger church had been apparent for sometime, a larger remodeled church was built. On Sunday morning, February 23, 1919, the church burned to the ground. A new church was built at the corner of West Center Street and Josephine Avenue. Dedication services were January 23, 1921.

During World War I, use of the German language was prohibited. In 1919, it was decided to use the English language every other Sunday evening. Beginning in 1925, English was used every Sunday evening.

In 1932, the church began a new era as English was used in all services except two prayer meetings a month. Church history is not always measured by physical things such as buildings, roofs or floors. The period of the 1970’s had its mark in deeper spiritual commitments. As a result of an influx of young couples into our church and Sunday school, the need for more Sunday school rooms became evident. A number of home Bible study groups had their beginnings during this time, as did a children’s library. Our camping program likewise expanded as we joined other NAB Associations in attending and supporting Crystal Springs Camp.

On November 11, 1978, a fire severely damaged the church. An extensive building project was undertaken and additional classrooms were provided by adding a second level.

In the mid 1990’s WCB saw significant growth, the church constitution was rewritten, creating a completely different organizational structure. Previously, there were three separate and independent boards; Deaconate, Trustee, and Christian Education. The new structure has one board, the Leadership Council. This consists of twelve leaders. Three members on the Executive Committee and nine general members who are liaisons to ministry teams. The Executive Committee of the Leadership Council consists of the chairman, vice chairman and secretary treasurer who serves as liaison to the stewardship team. The purpose of the ministry teams is to assist in carrying out the ministry and activities of the church. The ten teams are; Adult, Children, Deacon Care, Facility, Missions, Outreach, Stewardship, Welcome, Worship and Youth.

The vision of “church planting” became a reality in 2000 when West Center Baptist Church organized its first church plant in Hartford, SD. Central Valley Community Church began its services in May of that year with Pastor Chris Gorman, who had previously served as a student pastor at West Center Baptist Church from 1995-2000. Central Valley Community Church has gone on to plant River Community Church, in Dell Rapids, SD, with Pastor Andy Wright, who had been a Student Pastor under Chris Gorman. This vision continued with River Community Church planting Christ Fellowship Church in Baltic, SD in 2008. West Center’s vision of training up Pastors continues on with Trevor Schubert who is currently serving as our Apprentice Pastor.

The AWANA program began in the fall of 2007 and ministers to preschool through sixth grade children on Wednesday nights. In 2013, West Center initiated the ReFocus process which included three congregational summits which led us to transition from a program and events ministry to a discipleship ministry.