Senior Pastor

The pastor shall serve as the chief undershepherd and overseer of this local church, feeding, leading and nurturing the sheep. This person’s main responsibilities will be to communicate God’s Word, minister to spiritual needs and provide biblical leadership for the church.

Ministry Area/Department

General staff/administration

Position

Pastor

Accountable To

God, Deacons, and Personnel Committee

Ministry Target

Church and community

Position Is

Paid staff

Position May Be Filled By

Anyone of the Southern Baptist Denomination

Minimum Maturity Level

Stable, mature Christian

Length of Service Commitment

Indefinite

Anticipated Time Commitments

• Doing ministry/preparing for ministry: forty hours a week, off on Saturday and one day during week, except for emergencies and special occasions
• Participating in meetings/training: one hour minimum a week
  
  

Responsibilities/Duties

• Provide well-prepared sermons for regular church services
• Maintain availability to church members and staff both at and away from the church
• Oversee pastoral staff.
• Lead the church staff and delegate responsibilities to staff members or church officers.
• Approve weekly hours worked by paid staff.
• Provide leadership and vision for the church. Direct plans for ministry and church growth; develop and fine-tune the church structure based on the Team philosophy of ministry.
• Motivate, equip and nurture the people of the church through example, preaching and teaching God’s Word and spiritual counseling.
• Spend significant time in prayer and Bible study.
• Contact/visit hospitalized or grieving church members.
• Officiate at weddings and funerals.
• Review and approve all requests for weddings including music, officiants, instrumentalists, etc.
• Provide premarital counseling, counseling regarding salvation and spiritual issues and other counseling for church members as time permits.
• Perform sacraments such as Communion and baptism.
• Counsel those wishing to be baptized
• Schedule dates and notify those involved in advance
• Oversee church discipline and manage conflict in the church. Seek to reconcile relationships and promote unity within the church.
• Participate in evangelism efforts through preaching and giving invitations during worship services, revival or other special services, visitation and other outreach efforts.
• In their absence, provide a Pastoral supply for necessary services
• Coordinate the church calendar with other Ministerial staff
• Work with the Active Deacons and Personnel Committee to:
• Ensure the Policies and Procedures established by the church are followed
• Discipline and instruct paid staff when necessary
• Establish salaries and hourly rates of paid staff and adjust when appropriate
• Review and approve/disapprove leave requests
• Approve conferences, conventions, and trainings of Ministerial staff
• Establish church office hours
• Set work schedules
• Establish employee benefits
• Update Position Descriptions
• Evaluate Ministerial and paid Support Staff no less than annually
• Address and resolve complaints and grievances
• Address disciplinary needs among staff and members
• Address any claims of sexual harassment within the church
• Inform parents or guardians of any youth dismissals
• Work with the Treasurer and Finance Committee to ensure the church stays within budget
• Ensure all claims of abuse or molestation is reported the correct authorities and handled appropriately