Job Description
Executive Pastor
DETAILS
Department: Senior Leadership
Type: Regular; Full-Time; Salaried
Status: This position is classified as ministerial and is therefore subject to a ministerial exemption from state and local labor law based on the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Schedule: Varies, based on ministry needs, including weekends and evenings
OVERVIEW
The Executive Pastor focuses on implementing the church’s vision and strategy by creating strong collaboration between the various ministry departments—leading in strategic planning, ministry evaluation, staff accountability, and overall management of the ministries of the church.
FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Church Leadership & Pastoral Ministry
- Serve as an Elder and a member of the Executive Team.
- Model the heart of a shepherd, working with the Senior Pastor to ensure that the flock is well led, cared for, and protected (1 Peter 5:1-3; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; John 21:17).
- Provide general pastoring/shepherding within the church family, though limited by gifting and the priority of primary responsibilities. Shepherding duties may include pastoral counseling, conducting baptisms, leading communion, worship service announcements, congregational care, occasional preaching duties, weddings and funerals, etc.
Staff Oversight and Development
- Lead ministry, administrative, and facilities staff in effectively serving the church and ensuring the accomplishment of annual goals. Note: staff involved directly with weekend services and with digital outreach report to the Senior Pastor directly or indirectly.
- Provide leadership and mentoring of pastors and directors as it relates to day-to-day ministry and operational activities, ensuring that they, in turn, effectively lead their respective staff members and volunteers.
- Oversee appropriate training and development of ministry staff, approving any professional development in accordance with current policies.
- Assess, support, and mentor staff members, implementing processes to unify the staff around a common purpose, establish procedures for clear communication, and encourage effective collaboration.
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Facilitate an annual strategic planning process across ministry departments, including evaluation of ministry performance; review of mission, vision, and core values; development of key objectives; establishment of reasonable, achievable one-year goals and revision or establishment of long-term (three-year) goals.
- Oversee budget preparation and ongoing budget management to support ministry goals in coordination with Stewardship Director and RAFT.
- Work with department leaders to translate the strategic plan into operational plans that reflect the vision of GCC, ensuring that all departmental goals and priorities match church-wide goals and priorities.
- Implement clear and concise policies, procedures, and infrastructure for all church ministries. Identify where systems and procedures are needed to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
- Ensure that staffing, facilities, and ministries are appropriately and effectively aligned to best meet strategic goals.
Ministry Oversight
- Conduct staff meetings in collaboration with the Senior Pastor. Staff meetings will be designed for the purposes of development the staff culture, transfer of vision, ministry coordination, and prayer.
- Oversees all ministries and church operations with the exception of Worship and Arts, Worship & A/V Tech and regional, national, and international outreach.
- Works with the Senior Pastor in the planning and execution of special all-church events.
- Review, create, and implement policies and procedures to ensure the effective operation of all church ministries. Monitor the pulse of the congregation through research and evaluation.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
- Meet the Biblical spiritual, personal, and character qualifications of an elder (1 Tim. 3:2–7 and Titus 1:6–9).
- Graduate of a recognized, accredited evangelical seminary (preferred).
- Minimum of 10 years of pastoral experience, with three or more years in a pastoral leadership role and/or a business management role. Experience in a larger church preferred.
- Be a godly servant-leader with proper motives for ministry (1 Pet. 5:1–4) and a gifted pastor capable of equipping the saints for obedient service (Eph. 4:11-13).
- Maintains his family as a high priority and have a wife (if married) who fully supports his pastoral and leadership calling.
- Is deeply in love with God and consistently cultivates this relationship (Mark 12:30; John 15:4-5; 21:15-17).
- Demonstrate success leading teams and translating vision into strategy and operational plans.
- Possesses a strong mix of organization, people, and communication skills.
- Embrace the church’s vision, direction, strategies, and approach to ministry and unreservedly hold to the church’s statement of beliefs.
- Relate to the church family and to the public in a manner that honors and represents Christ well.
- Be a member of Grace Community Church or become a member, along with his spouse, within one year of employment.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountable to: Senior Pastor
Accountable for: All staff except those involved directly with weekend services and with digital outreach, who report to the Senior Pastor directly or indirectly.
The compensation range for this position as of 9/1/2024 is $80,250 to $115,560. Because determination of beginning compensation is based on level of training and years of experience, new applicants should not expect to be offered compensation in the higher ranges of this scale. Benefits offered include vacation, sick, and bereavement leave; medical, dental, and vision coverage (with the church paying 90% of the premium); and matching of up to 5% of any amount contributed by the employee in the church’s 503(b) retirement plan.
