Lead Pastor

GOD’S WAITING ROOM

Lead Pastor Job Description 

About the Lead Pastor:

God’s Waiting Room is seeking a dedicated and spiritually mature Lead Pastor who will steer the congregation towards spiritual growth through preaching, teaching, shepherding, and discipling of its leaders. The ideal candidate will align with the beliefs and practices of God’s Waiting Room while ensuring our church fulfills its mission and vision. As the primary teaching pastor, they must deliver the truths of God’s Word faithfully in accordance with sound biblical doctrine, ensuring relevance, authenticity, and personal applicability and must be willing to report to the Board who is accountable to the congregants of God’s Waiting Room. 

Lead Pastor's Responsibilities Include: 

Preaching: Deliver biblically-based sermons during weekly worship services that inspire, challenge, and provide spiritual guidance while encouraging congregants to seek a deeper relationship with God through living out spiritual disciplines. 

Teaching: Facilitate the development of discipleship programs and educational sessions that will provide a deeper understanding of scripture and its practical application to their faith in their daily life.

Pastoral Care: Provide emotional, social, and spiritual support to congregants through prayer, pastoral counseling, visits to homes, hospitals, and care facilities in times of need and crisis intervention. They will also officiate weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other ceremonial events. 

Congregant Engagement: Be approachable and readily available, both physically and emotionally, so that congregants feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their challenges. They must build strong relationships that foster an environment of trust and participate in community events, such as the potluck.

Administrative: Be accountable to the church board and ultimately the congregation as a whole. Foster a safe and welcoming work environment while leading and collaborating with church staff and ministry leaders to implement the church’s vision and goals. Work with the worship committee to determine the order of worship. Partner with the church board and finance committee in overseeing the church budget. 

Vision Casting: Commune with the Holy Spirit to create and communicate a clear and compelling vision for the church that will foster a shared sense of purpose and direction that motivates and guides the congregation. 

Community Engagement: Take the lead in reaching out to a culturally diverse community. Represent the church in addressing important cultural and civil matters that arise in the neighborhood we serve. 

Personal Qualities of the Lead Pastor

Spiritual Maturity: The Lead Pastor should set an example for Christian living by having a strong and passionate relationship with Jesus Christ and be faithfully committed to spiritual integrity, in public and private, as they follow and apply Biblical principles in their lives. They should have a consistent and reverent prayer life and be guided and shaped by the qualities and fruits of the Holy Spirit. They should maintain a healthy balance between personal, professional, and pastoral responsibilities. 

Character: The Lead Pastor should have a strong moral and ethical character. They should be able to show empathy and sensitivity in dealing with the diverse needs of the congregation. They should be respectful, humble and have the ability to show wisdom, discernment and grace. They should have a strong capacity for forgiveness but also be willing to be held accountable to the board for their actions and be open to compassionate correction when necessary. They should be willing to embrace new methods or ideas to reach people and grow the church, while remaining faithful to our core doctrines.

Abilities: The Lead Pastor should have a deep understanding of the Bible and be able to teach sound doctrine, and deliver Biblical truths in clear and engaging ways. They should be able to shepherd believers and non-believers alike. They should exhibit strong leadership skills but also know how to equip others to lead. The Lead Pastor should possess the ability to foster a nurturing environment for church staff and congregants. 

Leadership Style: The Lead Pastor should be a servant leader, recognizing that their position isn’t one of power but of positive influence and spiritual impact. The Lead Pastor’s ambition should be God-focused, seeking God’s will as a shepherd. They should allow God to grow them into the leader that God wants and not allow personal ambition to be of import. They should exhibit strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, guide, and empower others.They should have a heart for multi-ethnic and inter-generational ministry, as well as community outreach. 

Family Life: The Lead Pastor should create a Christ-centered family life in their household. They should feel comfortable being transparent and open about family struggles with the congregation and open to the faith community walking alongside them in support. 

Stewardship: The Lead Pastor’s personal finances should be in good order. They should maintain responsible financial management, free from excessive personal debt, and demonstrate a commitment to faithfully steward the financial resources God has provided, while being willing to teach others to do so as well.

Education and Experience: Masters in Theology or MDiv preferred by not required if experience is commensurate. 

If you are interesting in applying for this position, please complete an application and submit your resume to https://godswaitingroom.churchcenter.com/people/forms/810711.  

The Pastoral Nominating Committee will begin reviewing applications on September 30, 2024.  The position will remain open until filled.