Primary Function

To provide kingdom leadership to the members of the church enabling them to focus on the Great Commission, and equipping them to carry out the five functions of the New Testament church: evangelism, discipleship, ministry, fellowship, and worship in concert with the Baptist Faith & Message doctrine as adopted by the church.

Biblical Qualifications

The Bible uses several different words to describe a pastor’s role. The word pastor means shepherd (see Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:2). The word bishop means overseer (see Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:2). A third term, elder, is interchangeably used with pastor/shepherd and overseer roles in Acts 20:17, 28 and 1 Peter 5:1-3. All of these terms speak of the pastor’s clear leadership role in the church.

1 Peter 5:3 directly applies to the way a pastor should exercise leadership. First Timothy 3:2-7 is the key passage to understand what the Bible says about a pastor’s profile. Paul identified 14 characteristics of a healthy pastor.

1. Behavior that consistently shows obedience to God (“above reproach,” v. 2)
2. Faithfulness in marriage (“husband of one wife,” v. 2)
3. Self-control in spirit and actions (“self-controlled,” v. 2)
4. Able to make appropriate decisions for the good of the kingdom of God (“sensible,” v. 2)
5. Christian dignity in behavior patterns (“hospitable,” v. 2)
6. Genuine care for persons (“hospitable,” v. 2)
7. Effective teacher of the truths of God’s Word (“an able teacher,” v. 2)
8. Unwillingness to let alcohol control him (“not addicted to wine,” v. 3)
9. A gentle spirit (“not a bully but gentle,” v. 3)
10. A peacemaker (“not quarrelsome,” v. 3)
11. Actions not motivated by the love of money (“not greedy,” v. 3)
12. Spiritual leader of his family (“manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity,” v. 4)
13. Mature in Christian belief and practice (“must not be a new convert,” v. 6)
14. Credibility that attracts those outside the church (“must have a good reputation among outsiders,”  v. 7)

Responsibilities of Previous Senior Pastor

*Responsibilities are subject to change depending on giftedness, passion for serving, and timely needs of the congregation.

Leadership- The pastor will lead and develop leadership for the equipping of the congregation to fulfill the Great Commission and accomplish the purpose statement of the church.

• Vision casting- seeks, prepares and articulates God’s vision for the church through sermons, programs, growth planning
• Lead prayer times
• Lead midweek adult activities

Administration- The pastor will provide direction and oversight to assure that the administrative responsibilities of the church are fulfilled.

• Primary supervisor of staff (planning, instruction, correction)
• Lead weekly staff meetings, conduct staff evaluations every six months (March/ September)
• Lead Church Leadership Council- set and maintain agenda
• Attend various Committee meetings
• Serve on State and Associational Committees and Teams

Ministering- The pastor will use his spiritual gifts to edify and build up the local body of believers. He will provide appropriate pastoral care to members of the church and the community. He will lead by example in the area of personal evangelism. He will equip the leadership and members of the church to do the same.

• Contact guests
• Visit members, especially homebound members
• Make hospital visits
• Practice hospitality
• Provide counseling
• Be involved in community and civic activities

Communication- The pastor will preach and teach the Bible, believing that it had God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. He will communicate the vision for ministry that God gives for the church.

• Sermons- planning, preparation, and delivery
• Vision casting- seeks, prepares, and articulates God’s vision for the church through sermons and programs
• Periodically meet with Worship Planning Team

Expectations

The pastor is expected to be a servant leader. He is expected to live an exemplary life modeling the call, character, and competencies of becoming to a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He will demonstrate a servant spirit as a growing disciple of Jesus Christ.

• Annual review with Personnel Committee
• Continuing Education, conference
• Seminary degree preferred, or 5 years of ministry leadership experience
• Is ordained