Lead Pastor

Principal Function: The pastor is responsible to the church for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, engaging in pastoral care ministries to meet the needs of persons in the congregation and in the community, and leading the ministerial and vocational staff. Responsibilities include but are not limited to these expectations.

Word:

• Preach the Word of God, lead worship, read the Scriptures, and engage the congregation in study and witness in the orthodox tradition of Wesleyan Methodism, under the guidance of the church's policy, doctrine, and theology.
• Lead the congregation in discipleship and outreach so that others may come to know and follow Christ.
• Counsel individuals with personal, ethical, and spiritual challenges.

Sacraments:

• Conduct the Lord's Supper and encourage participation while explaining its meaning.
• Perform marriage ceremonies after counseling with both the woman and the man, in accordance with the laws and rules of the State of Georgia.
• Prepare parents and sponsors before baptizing infants or children and instruct them concerning the significance of baptism, and their responsibilities for the Christian training of the baptized child. Prepare adults for first-time baptism.
• Reaffirm the profession of faith by instruction to those baptized in infancy, childhood, or those joining or transferring their membership.
• Conduct funeral and memorial services and provide grief counseling.

Service:

• Embody the teachings of Jesus in servant ministries and servant leadership.
• Build the body of Christ as a caring and giving congregation, extending the ministry of Christ.
• Participate in the community and encourage the congregation to do the same.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain a regular program of continued education and self-enrichment to enable your planning and participation in meaningful worship services.
• Prepare and conduct worship services, leading the church in proclaiming the gospel to the congregation and the community.
• Promote personal development and encourage church members and visitors in their individual pursuit of Christian maturity.
• Personally prepare and lead small groups and/or special topic Bible studies.
• Support the development of programs and respective lay leadership to reach all segments of our church, recognizing that ministry is balanced between five biblical purposes: fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism, and worship.
• Visit the homes of church members, visitors, the sick, shut-ins, and others in need.
• Maintain all confessional confidences, except in cases where mandatory reporting is required by law.
• Participate in meetings of church committees as an ad hoc member.
• Provide direction and support to ministry program leaders to ensure that programs are firmly rooted in the church’s statement of faith, orthodox Wesleyan Methodism, and the long history of connectionalism, taking advantage of church resources.
• Actively participate in local church programs of ministry and mission projects.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct seasonal church programs for occasions such as but not limited to Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas Eve.
• Supervise, coordinate, and evaluate the work of church staff in conjunction with the Staff Parish Relations Committee.

Evaluation: The Staff Parish Relations Committee will provide a written evaluation annually of the pastor’s effectiveness in ministry and the church’s growth.

Community Information: Located in Downtown Fitzgerald, GA, Central Wesleyan Church offers a variety of ministries including Music, Family, Youth, Children's, Nursery, and Preschool. The church provides two services: Central @ 9 (a modern style service) and a Traditional Service at 11:00 AM, with Sunday School classes at 10:00 AM. Central is also heavily involved in various missions both locally and abroad.

Our Campus: Our all-brick structure is centrally located in the community. The buildings consist of a traditional sanctuary with modern sound and video technology, a fellowship hall with a commercial kitchen, and classroom building with rooms for all ages. An age-appropriate playground is also on the property.

Church Programs: Sunday Morning programs include a growing Modern Worship Service in our Fellowship Hall with coffee and pastries, Sunday School for all ages, a Traditional Worship Service in our Main Sanctuary, and children's church. Communion is served at the altar in the worship service on the first Sunday of each month. From Sunday School to Sunday Night events, our Youth Group is all about fellowship, service and growing in Christ. Wednesday evening events include a monthly family night fellowship supper, choir practice, a children's program, and various other gatherings. Other church programs include active Women's and Men's groups, mid-week Bible studies, a Monday-through-Thursday preschool, and seasonal age-appropriate activities.

Church History: Central Wesleyan Church has a rich history dating back to 1895. It was originally organized as the Methodist Episcopal Church and has undergone several transformations, including a significant merger in 1938. In 2024, the church departed from the United Methodist Church and has chosen to remain non-denominational for the interim. The congregation has expressed interest in remaining aligned with the theology of John Wesley, although they are open to being led through denominational discernment with their new pastor. Central is known for its Christ-loving, God-centered worship and mission service, with open hearts and open arms.

Salary & Benefits: We offer a generous salary (commensurate with experience) and benefits package. A church owned parsonage, or housing allowance, is also available dependent upon contract negotiation. The church’s four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath parsonage, built in 1998, is located less than 3 miles away in a quiet neighborhood.