Senior Pastor
Job Description
Position Status: Salary (full time)
Exempt / Non-Exempt: Exempt
Principal Function:
The Senior Pastor is responsible for leading the local congregation to function as a New Testament Church by providing oversight to the general spiritual condition and direction of the congregation. This includes: providing spiritual leadership through preaching/teaching, exercising biblically defined pastoral duties, engaging in pastoral care ministries, strategically and collaboratively discerning the ministry priorities of the church, as well as equipping and leading the ministry staff and church congregation in all areas of discipleship and ministry.
Essential Responsibilities:
Preaching & Vision:
• Responsible for the spiritual welfare of the church; have charge of the services of the church; administer the ordinances and perform the usual duties of a gospel minister (i.e. counseling sessions, funeral services, etc.) in accordance with the bylaws and constitution of the church.
• Study and preach/teach the Word of God, effectively communicating and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Lead the church to understand, embrace, and accomplish its mission to make disciples locally and globally thus achieving the church’s mission/vision, strategies, and goals.
• Articulate and promote the mission/vision of the church to the congregation and community.
• Assume the full responsibility for supplying the pulpit (i.e. speaking in or finding guest speakers for all church services).
Leadership & Administration:
• Oversee staff development; encourage, equip and empower staff and lay leaders to successfully fulfill their duties and responsibilities.
• Work with deacons, church officers, and committees as they perform their assigned responsibilities; lead and train the deacons in a program of family ministries.
• Provide visionary, strategic, and collaborative leadership for the total life and ministry of the church, bringing discernment and focus to priorities that support the mission/vision, and working with church leadership in long range and short-term planning.
• Cooperate with the associational, state, and denominational leaders in matters of mutual interest.
• Represent the church in civic matters and community services.
• Serve as an ex-officio member of all boards/committees unless otherwise stated by the bylaws.
Shepherding:
• Model, teach, and cultivate a culture of discipleship aimed at reaching, training, and sending gospel-centered disciples of Jesus Christ into the community and world.
• Oversee and administer, along with the pastoral team, all church restoration/discipline matters and the management of conflict issues within the church.
• Lead the church in an effective program of witnessing and a caring ministry for members and prospects including those who are homebound, sick, in the hospital, or in the nursing home.
Position Type/ Expected Hours of Work
This is a full time, 40+ hours a week position that will have evening and weekend expectations in order to fulfill ministry obligations.
Biblical Functions:
The responsibilities of the pastor may be outlined in terms of his primary biblical roles as follows:
• Elder/Overseer: the principal leader and vision caster of the church (cf. Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-4).
• Evangelist: models the practice of personal evangelism and ensures that the church is challenged and equipped to be obedient to the Great Commission (cf. II Timothy 4:2, 5; Matthew 28:19).
• Shepherd: models the heart of the Chief Shepherd and ensures that the church is well led, cared for, prayed for, protected and unified (cf. Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-4; I Peter 3:8; II Thess 1:11).
• Preacher/Teacher: the principal communicator of God’s Word in public worship and ensures that the church is growing to maturity in Christ (cf. Acts 6:4; Ephesians 4:11; II Timothy 4:1-4; Titus 1:9).
• Equipper: partners with other leaders to equip and empower maturing members for significant service and ministry by discovering, developing, and deploying their spiritual gifts (cf. Ephesians 4:12; II Timothy 2:2).
Qualifications:
• The Senior Pastor will be held to the qualifications of a biblical Elder as described in I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and I Peter 5:1-4.
• Demonstrated commitment to living as a disciple of Christ, transformed by His saving grace, and committed to God’s ongoing sanctifying work of grace in his life.
• Exhibit a positive attitude, healthy family relationships, and ability to set healthy boundaries.
• Self-starter, good at multi-tasking and prioritizing projects.
• Strong technology, organizational and administrative skill.
• Demonstrate a high level of trust, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Excellent verbal written communication skills.
• Possess a professional appearance and demeanor.
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to apply@catawbavalleybc.org