What We Believe

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. 
 
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us and for our salvation came down from Heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. 
 
He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. 
 
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose Kingdom will have no end. 
 
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. 
 
And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church, we acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life in the world to come.

- First Council of Nicaea in 325

Who We Are

Bread and Wine is a church that believes everyone is welcome at The Table.

Our foundational core belief is that all people are invited to participate fully in our community.

We affirm the sanctity and value of every human life and embrace diversity as an essential component of our faith journey.

Our practice of faith is rooted in over 2,000+ years of tradition, with communion at the heart of our gatherings, symbolizing unity, renewal, and shared faith.

Therefore, to foster inclusion we intentionally avoid taking hardline stances on historical church driven theological issues.

We routinely follow the lectionary to guide our worship and reflection. While we are not part of any specific denomination, many of our members come from evangelical frameworks that they are working to deconstruct, reconstruct, and/or understand.

Together, we are seekers without answers, pursuing a deeper connection with God and meaningful relationships with one another.

How We Live

"And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

- Jesus as recorded in Matthew 22:35-40, English Standard Version (ESV)

Our Values

Believes the church is the institution that God has ordained for the work of his people

A church that represents the ethos of the local community & engages it to influence our community for the gospel.

Men & Women are equally empowered to live in the fullness of the gospel.

The centrality of the Eucharist as an expression of sacramental life.

Relevance of church tradition & history (liturgy)

Prioritize community over traditional church structure

Holistic approach to soul & body (salvation is essential but not the whole of the gospel message)

Participates in the restoration of our community & our world.

Not political but relevant to current events.

The Priesthood of the believer leads to a fully engaged congregation in all areas of the gospel's calling.

The Role.

Position Overview

The Lead Pastor will provide pastoral care and leadership for a vibrant faith community in Bentonville, Arkansas. This role requires a dynamic individual who embodies theological maturity, relational empathy, and innovative leadership. The ideal candidate will be able to navigate complex theological issues of a predominantly evangelical culture, foster a welcoming and inclusive community, and engage meaningfully with both the congregation and the broader local culture.

Key Responsibilities

1. Theological and Spiritual Leadership

  • Develop and articulate a theological vision that aligns with the values of the community, emphasizing inclusivity, social justice, and spiritual formation.

  • Prepare and deliver thoughtful, engaging sermons that connect scriptural insights to contemporary issues, resonating with a diverse congregation.

  • Provide spiritual guidance and support for individuals experiencing faith deconstruction and reconstruction.

2. Vision Casting and Strategic Leadership

  • Collaborate with the church leadership team and the congregation to develop and implement a shared vision for the church’s future.

  • Lead and manage church staff, volunteers, and ministry leaders in a collaborative and empowering manner.

  • Guide the church through transitions and growth, fostering a culture of innovation while honoring the church’s unique identity.

3. Community Engagement and Social Justice

  • Build relationships with local organizations and community leaders to address the needs of the Bentonville community and promote social justice issues.

  • Develop and support programs encouraging congregational participation in local and global justice initiatives.

  • Represent the church in public forums and community events, advocating for justice, equity, and inclusion.

4. Pastoral Care and Relational Ministry

  • Provide compassionate pastoral care and counseling to individuals and families, especially those who have experienced spiritual trauma or exclusion from traditional evangelical spaces.

  • Foster an environment of hospitality, where all people feel welcome and valued, regardless of their background or beliefs.

  • Facilitate small groups, support groups, and workshops that promote spiritual growth, healing, and community connection.

5. Worship and Liturgy

  • Design and lead creative and meaningful worship services that integrate traditional liturgical elements with contemporary practices, fostering a deep sense of spirituality and community.

  • Oversee the administration of sacraments such as Baptism and Communion, ensuring that these practices are inclusive and accessible.

  • Encourage the use of diverse artistic expressions in worship, including music, visual arts, and storytelling.

6. Family Ministry and Support

  • Support and guide families in their children’s ministry goals in developing programs that nurture the spiritual growth of children and youth in an engaging manner.

  • Provide resources and support for parents to help them nurture their children’s faith at home.

  • Promote intergenerational activities and events that foster connections between all ages within the church.

7. Innovation and Creativity

  • Explore and implement innovative ministry approaches, including digital engagement, contemplative practices, and arts-based worship experiences.

  • Encourage and support creative expressions of faith within the congregation, providing space for diverse voices and perspectives.

  • Balance tradition and innovation, creating a worship experience that is both rooted in historical faith practices and relevant to modern life.

8. Organizational Leadership and Administration

  • Oversee the church’s operations, including budgeting, staffing, and program management, in partnership with the church board and administrative team.

  • Ensure that all church activities and programs align with the church’s mission, vision, and values.

  • Facilitate regular communication with the congregation regarding the church’s direction, decisions, and opportunities for involvement.

Qualifications

  • A deep faith and commitment to following Jesus, with a theology that aligns with values of inclusivity, justice, and grace.

  • Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent theological education preferred; significant experience in pastoral ministry may be considered instead of formal education.

  • Proven experience in church leadership, with a demonstrated ability to lead a congregation through change and growth.

  • Strong interpersonal and relational skills, with a compassionate and empathetic approach to pastoral care.

  • Exceptional communication and preaching skills, with the ability to engage a diverse audience in meaningful and thought-provoking ways.

  • Experience with individual spiritual formation as well as communal formation.

  • Experience in community engagement and social justice work, with a passion for serving the broader community.

  • Ability to think creatively and innovate in worship, ministry programs, and community outreach.

Desired Attributes

  • Open-minded and flexible, willing to explore new ministry ideas and approaches.

  • Culturally aware and engaged, with a desire to understand and contribute to the unique culture of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.

  • Collaborative and empowering leadership style, with the ability to inspire and equip others for ministry.

  • Commitment to personal spiritual growth and development, including ongoing learning and self-care.

Application Process

Interested candidates should contact us and express their interest in engaging in a discussion about serving the Bread & Wine Church community.

This process could be traditional by sending us the following:

  • A cover letter or video describing your sense of call to this position and how your experience aligns with the church’s vision.

  • A resume or video detailing relevant education, experience, and skills.

  • A statement of faith that reflects your theological perspective and approach to ministry.

  • At least three references, including one from a previous ministry context.

Or, this process could be non-traditional by contacting us with some type of indication of interest or intent to be considered that also presents how you view Bread & Wine’s roles, needs, space in our community, and ideas about how Bread & Wine can fulfill its role in the community.

Please contact us at admin@breadandwine.church with the subject line “Pastor Search Response.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Part-time with full-time potential.

  • Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

  • Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off.

  • Professional development opportunities and support for continuing education.

We are a congregation committed to creating a welcoming space for all people. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.