Pastor Position: Interim/Senior Pastor
Longboat Island Chapel currently has the following Pastor Position available: Interim/Senior Pastor. The Longboat Island Chapel, located on beautiful Longboat Key, near Sarasota, Florida, seeks to fill the open position of Interim/ Senior Pastor. We’re looking for a very seasoned pastor with demonstrated skills in preaching, congregation building, pastoral counseling, and inspired leadership. The successful candidate for the pastor position must have an advanced degree from an accredited seminary and clearly demonstrate the qualities mentioned above. For a person who excels in these areas, matters such as work schedules, compensation, etc. are negotiable. The Chapel is a Christian-based interfaith church, and a member of the International Council of Community Churches (ICCC). Our congregation comes from many different theological backgrounds. The mutually respectful exchange of ideas and beliefs stimulate us all, as does the warmth of our fellowship.
Interested pastor positions candidates are requested to complete the pastor positions application below. Information may be submitted electronically to jdanner@longboatislandchapel.org or mailed to the Search Committee Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Florida 34228.
To assist possible candidates, the committee has prepared a comprehensive self-study and history of the Chapel. Click Here to download. A brief synopsis of the overview may be accessed by clicking the toggles below.
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Chapel Overview Synopsis
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Brief Chronology
1956: Interdenominational group began to meet in Pascal’s “barn studio” home.
1963: Land purchased, chapel built. Chapel currently in use.
2002: A group of congregants wished a more formal structure. They split off and formed a new church.
2012: Senior Pastor Search Committee Formed.
Identity: Church Groups and Programs
Shifting Sands: Discussion and support group on loss, grief, and aging.
Bible Study: Conducted by Pastor.
The Lord’s Warehouse: Thrift Shop of donated clothing and household goods. Proceeds support Chapel programs and activities. Operated by Chapel volunteers.
Habitat for Humanity: Members assist with home construction and support of the family involved.
Church Women United Tea for Migrant Children: Proceeds provide necessities, blankets, clothing, and toys.
Memoir Writing Group: An informal group to hone writing skills focusing on items such as memoirs.
Aging in Paradise Resource Center: (In Process) Creation of community partnerships that will enable seniors to live at home with dignity, and a healthful quality of life.
Community Outreach Groups
Membership Trends
- Membership trends reflect the seasonal nature of Longboat Key, Florida. Longboat Key has a summer population of approximately
- 5,000 people. In the winter this rises to 22,000. Similarly, at the Chapel, on Aug. 5, 2011, the attendance was 68. On February 19, 2011, the attendance was 235.
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Core Belief and Values of the Longboat Island Chapel:
The Longboat Island Chapel is an interfaith community church. “It is an open door through which all may pass and be understood: to share their faith with anyone else, without fear of ridicule or censure.”
“We continue to be an open, inclusive, and inviting Christian, interfaith church. We are a community sojourning together in a mission of learning, growing, praying, and reaching out together, becoming the one body of God in a beautiful and broken world.”
Church Services:
We conduct regular Sunday services which follow the Christian year. Our services contain prayers, lessons, minister’s message, and music. We offer Communion on the first Sunday of each month and upon special occasions.
Distinct Qualities:
- The Longboat Island Chapel is unique, in that it is open, affirming, and interfaith.
- Service to others and outreach are essential ingredients of our church community.
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Bylaws and Church Organization:
The organization of the church includes the minister and the Board of Trustees. This Board has thirteen (13) members; the minister is a voting member. Within the Board of Trustees is the Executive Committee which has five (5) members: the President, Vic President, Treasurer, Secretary and Minister.
Board Members are elected for three year terms. Elections are held at the Annual Church Meeting which is held after church on the fourth Sunday in February.
Decisions made by the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee are implemented by the appropriate Committees.
The minister and the Board of Trustees are assisted in the Church Office by an Office Manager.
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Community
Longboat Key is a ten mile long barrier island just west of Sarasota, Florida. Sarasota Bay separates Longboat Key from the mainland, two miles east. North of Longboat Key is Anna Maria Island, with two two-lane bridges to the mainland to Bradenton. South of Longboat Key is Lido Key with a new four-lane bridge to Bird Key and downtown Sarasota.
Longboat Key is now a seasonal tourist location. The summer population is approximately 5,000 full time residents. The winter population is approximately 22,000 with visitors coming for various periods of time from one day to six months. These visitors flock from the Midwest, Northeast, Canada and Europe. They are an affluent community who enjoy playing golf and tennis on the private and public golf courses and courts in the area. The beaches are absolutely beautiful and very welcome during the northern winters. The Longboat Chapel is surrounded by a series of homes and two story condominiums. The island is very narrow at the Chapel location which is toward the north end of the island.
The Longboat Chapel attracts members from Longboat Key, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Sarasota. These members appreciate the interfaith and open nature of the Chapel.