Lead Pastor

Lead Pastor: Central: A Christ-Centered Church

About Central and the Lead Pastor Position:

Central is a vibrant and diverse congregation of 300 to 400 members located in the welcoming suburban community of Ewing, New Jersey. Our church is centrally positioned among Trenton, Pennington, Lawrence Township, Hopewell, and Yardley, Pennsylvania.

As an independent Baptist church, we believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, inerrant Word of God, fully sufficient for revealing His will for salvation and serving as the ultimate authority in all matters they address. Click here for a detailed description of our core beliefs.

Our church is governed by a collaborative Overseeing Elder Team as well as multiple Lead Pastors, each with distinct primary roles and shared secondary duties.  The Lead Pastors co-lead and collaborate in church pastoral duties applying the gifts that God has blessed them with.

Our Vision

We will be a diverse community following Christ anywhere bringing hope to the hurting.

Our Mission

To intentionally introduce people to Jesus Christ, both locally and globally, and to proactively help believers grow as fully-devoted followers.

• We hold to scriptural authority while being stylistically innovative, relevant, and excellent in our approach to ministry.
• We recognize personal responsibility for growing, connecting, serving, and sharing our faith.
• We are committed to care and accountability through established shepherding relationships.

Our Core Values

• To be Christ-Centered
• Celebrate and Embrace Diversity
• Extend Grace to everyone
• Develop positive relationships and build community
• Be joyfully generous

Position Available: Lead Pastor

Central is seeking a dynamic and spiritually mature male candidate to serve as Lead Pastor on the Pastoral Leadership Team. The Lead Pastor will be a key figure in guiding our church’s mission and vision, providing overall leadership, and nurturing the spiritual growth of our congregation.

Position Overview:

The Lead Pastor position requires someone to be a personable servant leader who has a character that reflects the love of Jesus Christ with empathy, compassion, and love. He must be committed to modeling and communicating the Mission and Vision of Central effectively and with authenticity and enthusiasm. 

He must demonstrate divinely inspired preaching as well as biblically based teaching. He must possess the ability to work effectively within a diverse community, have a heart for discipleship training, a passion for equity and belonging, and have a vision for community outreach.

The Lead Pastor will be accountable to the Overseeing Elders Council and will work with the Council in carrying out the vision of Central.

Key Responsibilities:

• Visionary Leadership: Develop and articulate a compelling vision for the church’s future, in collaboration with the Pastoral Leadership Team, aligning all church activities and programs with this vision.
• Preaching and Teaching: Deliver inspiring and biblically sound sermons that engage and challenge the congregation. Provide teaching and instruction in various settings, including Bible studies, small groups, and educational programs.
• Pastoral Care: Offer compassionate care and counseling to members of the congregation, including support during times of crisis, grief, and personal challenges. Foster a caring and supportive church environment.
• Strategic Planning: Lead in the planning and execution of church strategies, including outreach initiatives, community engagement, and growth strategies. Oversee the development and implementation of church programs and ministries.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with other Lead Pastors and church staff to ensure effective teamwork and shared responsibilities. Facilitate regular meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities.
• Community Engagement: Represent the church in the local community and beyond, building relationships with other churches, organizations, and leaders. Actively participate in community events and initiatives.
• Administrative Oversight: Provide oversight for church operations, including budget management, staffing, and facility management. Ensure that administrative processes are efficient and effective.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to make decisions, problem solve, manage conflict and change, thrive on a team, and raise up leaders 
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) and think strategically
• Self-starter, good time management, flexible, and adaptable 
• High regard and competency for the faithful expository preaching of the Word
• Effective use of multimedia/visual aids in messages 
• Able to relate the text to the current culture (contextualize)  
• Deep knowledge of and training in biblical theology, philosophy, practice of ministry, and pastoral care. 

Qualifications

• A deep and abiding faith in Christ, with a strong commitment to the teachings of Scripture and the mission of the church.
• Significant experience in pastoral leadership, with a proven track record of effective preaching, teaching, and ministry.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and foster a sense of community.
• A collaborative spirit, with the ability to work effectively within a team-based leadership structure.

Personal Characteristics 

• A heart for the hurting and seeing the lost come to faith in Christ
• Meets the Biblical qualification of an elder (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9; Acts 6:4; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3)
• Passion for equity and belonging 
• Humble visionary
• Community-focused 
• Growth-minded
• A deep love for the local church 

Education & Experience

• A master’s degree or higher with an emphasis in biblical and/or theological studies from an accredited academic institution
• At least eight years of experience leading in a similarly sized church preferred for the Lead Pastor position. For candidates who would like to be considered for a Senior Associate Pastor position, they must have a minimum of five years of experience.
• Experience in integration, discipleship, and promoting stewardship
• Experience working on a pastoral team preferred
• Experience that is less than 5 years will be considered for the position of Senior Associate Pastor if appropriate.

To apply for the Lead Pastor position: Send cover letter, resume, a list of three references, and two links of sermons presented to jobs@worshipatcentral.org. 

Opportunity for Senior Associate Pastor

Candidates with less experience may be considered for the position of Senior Associate Pastor. This role involves significant responsibilities, including supporting the Lead Pastors in various functions such as preaching, teaching, and administrative duties. The Senior Associate Pastor will have the opportunity to gain experience and demonstrate leadership abilities in preparation for a potential future transition to the Lead Pastor role. Senior Associate Pastor will work closely with the Lead Pastors to:

• Develop and implement church programs and outreach initiatives
• Provide pastoral care and counseling to members
• Assist in sermon preparation and delivery
• Engage with community and church leadership

This role is designed to be a growth opportunity, offering mentorship and professional development to prepare the candidate for eventual elevation to the Lead Pastor position, should they demonstrate readiness and capability.

To apply for the Lead Pastor position: Send cover letter, resume, a list of three references, and two links of sermons presented to jobs@worshipatcentral.org.