Senior Pastor

Job Title: Senior Pastor

Position Overview

The Senior Pastor serves as the spiritual leader and senior executive of our small-to-medium Southern Baptist congregation in Roanoke, VA. He will lovingly lead the church toward heeding our call to glorify God, make disciples, and fulfil the Great Commission, reaching the community and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Senior Pastor will be responsible for preaching, teaching, pastoral care, leadership development, and shepherding his flock with love, wisdom, compassion, discernment, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Responsibilities/Duties

1. Spiritual Leadership

• Act as leader and vision-caster for the church. Identify and help develop plans for ministry and church growth
• Motivate, equip, challenge, and nurture the people of the church through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, and through example
• Direct to or provide biblical counseling (family, marital, one-on-one etc.), for church members and others who may seek it
• Perform ordinances such as communion and baptisms. Examine all candidates for baptism for soundness of their claim to faith and provide for the instruction of all new members in the duties and privileges of membership as defined by the constitution and bylaws of the church
• Promote discipleship through the leading or commissioning of Bible studies, prayer gatherings, small groups, and other spiritual growth initiatives 

2. Pastoral Care

• Visit members in hospitals, nursing homes, or at home, offering prayer and encouragement
• Officiate weddings, funerals, and other special services according to biblical principles and pastor’s discretion

3. Leadership and Administration

• Conduct weekly coordination/prayer meeting with staff
• Oversee church staff and general supervision of all activities of the church
• Be in charge of the preaching ministry of the church and, in cooperation with the Deacons, arrange for pulpit supply in absence of Senior Pastor, or for revivals or other special services
• Moderate business meetings and act as an ex-officio member of all committees
• Manage church operations, including budget oversight, staff supervision, and facility use, in cooperation with church leadership and the constitution and bylaws
• Work with other leaders in planning and coordinating the ministries and other activities of our church calendar year

4. Missions and Outreach

• Lead the church in advancing the Great Commission locally and globally, providing training, encouragement, and opportunity to exercise evangelism and missions
• Commission and send missions teams locally, nationally, and globally 
• Participate in and oversee special services of all sorts, VBS, and other outreach efforts
• Encourage and support church involvement in Southern Baptist mission programs such as the Cooperative Program, International Mission Board (IMB), and North American Mission Board (NAMB)
• Encourage giving toward and orchestrate giving campaigns around the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offerings
• Foster relationships with local SBC associations and state conventions for community outreach and ministry opportunities

Qualifications

1. Education and Experience

• A seminary degree (or ongoing progress towards one) from a Southern Baptist or similarly aligned institution is preferred, but not required
• A minimum of 5 years of pastoral or ministry leadership experience without a degree, or 2 years with (preferably within an SBC context)

2. Spiritual and Personal Characteristics

• A mature, deepening relationship with Jesus Christ, evidenced by constant prayer, ongoing study, and practice of personal evangelism and discipling others.
• Alignment with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and the core beliefs of the Southern Baptist Convention.
• Humility, a passion for reaching the lost, and a heart for shepherding God’s people.

3. Skills and Abilities

• Able deliverer of exegetical, spiritually nourishing, challenging messages who is bold to preach whatever message the Holy Spirit has laid on his heart.
• Visionary leader with the desire and ability to mobilize and equip the church for compassionate ministry and outreach.
• Collaborative team leader who values servant leadership and encourages and empowers all in their areas of gifting.
• Adaptable and relational, with a heart for knowing his flock deeply and working to engage meaningfully with his congregation and a diverse community.
• A peacemaker who strives for unity and is able to address conflict biblically and with love.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following:

1. A cover letter outlining your call to ministry.
2. A resume detailing your education, experience, and at least 2 references. 
3. A statement of faith and philosophy of ministry.
4. (Optional) Links to recorded sermons or teaching sessions.