Lead Pastor - Vinton Baptist Church

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION:

At Vinton Baptist Church, we are following God's will to find a lead pastor who can deliver the truth of God's word and fulfill his vision for Vinton Baptist Church.

1. Preaching: We seek an individual confident in theology who can portray the Bible to the small-town congregation that makes up our church.
2. Leadership: In this congregation of about 150 people, we also seek an individual invested in the church body to help this number grow.
3. Pastoral Care: This pastor should care about his people, be empathetic to their life journeys, and work to build up future leadership. The care he shows Vinton Baptist should reflect the care given to his family.
4. Administration: Lastly, we are looking for a lead pastor who can work alongside church staff and other leaders to minister to God's will in the community of Vinton Baptist.

WHY A LEAD PASTOR:

The Bible says God has equipped us all with a gift. The lead pastor's skills should help prepare God's people to work in the community and church with servant hearts (Ephesians 4:11-12). Along with this, scripture also says it is the job of the lead pastor to be a shepherd to the church body, to protect them and walk with them in their spiritual journeys (Acts 20:28). The lead pastor will stand before the church in God's image. He should be trustworthy, hospitable, able to teach, self-controlled, faithful to his wife, manage his family well, and be upright to the community (1 Timothy 3:1-7). All these things are needed because the lead pastor's heart creates the heart of the church.

The Lead Pastor is accountable to the church body, boards, committees, and Deacons, church staff members who are part of the lead pastor's team. The lead pastor should also be part of the church family who all work together to do the church's work and be missional to the community.

COMPETENCIES & EXPECTATIONS:

• Provide a teaching ministry that is theological and relevant to a Christian's life
• Empathize and act on the joys and crises of life events that individuals are going through
• Lead the church in making the goals and visions of the church a reality
• Thoroughly prepare and reflect on the sermons they present to the church
• Make formal and informal connections with church members and others
• Recognize and help resolve conflict in the church
• Develop leaders and support them in their duties
• Help support the youth ministry

JOB DUTIES:

• Have an accountable schedule
• Preach Sunday morning worship sermons
• Be involved with boards and groups
• Teach Wednesday night studies
• Council those of the church who are in spiritual need
• Spend time outside of the church visiting with members in need
• Have office hours throughout the week
• Delegate and mentor staff members of the church
• Assist leaders in short and long-range planning and execution

PERSONAL GROWTH AND RECREATION:

The lead pastor needs to set aside time for reading, researching, and having quiet time with the Lord and to pursue continuing education that best fits his spiritual needs. He should also engage with other pastors in the community for accountability and growth purposes. Lastly, the lead pastor should know his limits and seek reasonable personal time away when needed.