THE CEDAR VALLEY CHURCH STORY

Cedar Valley Church, originally known as Bloomington Assembly of God, held its first
service on March 3, 1953, under the leadership of founding pastor Arvid Kingsriter. The
church retained the name Bloomington Assembly of God until 2002, when it was
officially changed to Cedar Valley Church. It was planted in the growing first-ring
suburb of Bloomington, Minnesota.The congregation initially met in a small, abandoned
school building, which was purchased from the city for $15,313.

As the church grew under Pastor Kingsriter’s leadership, a new building was
constructed and opened on November 23, 1961. Continued growth led to the purchase
of a nearby elementary school, and in August 1982, the church relocated there. An
1,800-seat auditorium was later built on that site and most recently underwent updates
in 2013.
Pastor Kingsriter faithfully served the church until 1988. He was succeeded by Pastor
Jerry Strandquist in 1989, who led the church well until his retirement in June 2015. The
current and third lead pastor, Neal Rich, began his ministry at Cedar Valley in January
2016.

Today, Bloomington is a vibrant first-ring suburb of Minneapolis with a population of
around 100,000. The east side of the city, where the church is located, is a highly
diverse metropolitan area situated less than a mile from the Mall of America and under
three miles from the Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport.

VISION & MISSION

• Vision: We dream of being a vibrant, multi-ethnic, multi-generational
  church reflecting Jesus to our neighbors and the nations.
• Mission: Leading people from where they are to where God wants them to be.

CORE VALUES

• Teach and Train – we’re devoted to the Word of God
• Love and Lead – We love others as God loves us
• Neighbors and Nations – We make Jesus known
• Life and Laughter – We celebrate transformed life

JOB SUMMARY

The Worship Pastor is responsible for providing organizational
leadership to the worship department and overseeing a large
volunteer team. This role serves as the primary worship leader
during Sunday morning services, requiring a blend of
exceptional musical talent, spiritual guidance, and pastoral care.
In addition to leading worship, the Worship Pastor works closely
with the production and audio/visual teams to ensure excellence
in worship services, media presentations, and church-wide
communications. The Worship Pastor plays a key role in creating
a spiritually enriching environment that aligns with the church’s
vision and enhances the overall worship experience for the
congregation.

PERSONAL PROFILE

• Pastoral
• Creative
• Leader
• Manager
• Visionary
• Spirit-led
• Team Builder/Developer

CANDIDATE COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
• Casts a vision and expresses passion for the community in which Cedar Valley is located
• Leads others and develops future leaders
• Exhibits strong interpersonal and written communication skills
• Collaborates effectively and harmoniously with other church ministries and staff
• Remains committed to the church’s vision, leadership, and congregation
• Is dependable, responsible, organized, and self-motivated
• Aligns with Cedar Valley Church’s Core Beliefs and understands both primary and secondary theological issues

ESSENTIAL DUTIES &
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide organizational leadership for the worship department, ensuring
  smooth coordination and effectiveness
• Oversee and lead a large volunteer team, fostering a collaborative and
  engaged environment
• Serve as the primary worship leader during Sunday morning services,
  ensuring a spiritually enriching experience
• Demonstrate an exceptional level of musical talent in both performance
  and leadership
• Offer spiritual guidance and pastoral care to team members and
  congregants, supporting their faith journey
• Lead and collaborate with the production and audio/visual
  communication teams to ensure high-quality worship services and media presentations
• Maintain excellence in worship service execution, media content, and
  church-wide communication efforts
• Cultivate a worship environment that aligns with the church’s vision and
  values, promoting a meaningful spiritual experience for all attendees

BLOOMINGTON, MN

Just minutes from Minneapolis and St. Paul, Bloomington strikes the perfect
balance between city convenience and suburban comfort. Home to the world-
famous Mall of America, this vibrant community offers unbeatable shopping,
dining, and entertainment—alongside peaceful neighborhoods and over 9,000
acres of parks and nature.

Outdoor lovers can explore the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, while
families enjoy top-rated schools and safe, welcoming streets. With a strong job
market, quick access to MSP Airport, and plenty of local events, Bloomington is
both connected and full of character.
Whether you’re starting a career, raising a family, or settling into your next
chapter, Bloomington offers the space, opportunities, and quality of life to truly
feel at home.