Senior Pastor

Job Description:  Senior Pastor

Church: Northside Baptist Church of Apopka

Location: 413 W Welch Rd, Apopka, Florida

Affiliation: Baptist

Position Type: Full-time or Bi-vocational (depending on church capacity)

Position Summary

Northside Church, a Southern Baptist congregation, is seeking a pastor who is called by God and is committed to His authority to faithfully preach His Word in its entirety, shepherd His people, and provide biblical leadership for the church. The pastor will serve as the primary spiritual leader of the congregation and will help guide the church toward spiritual maturity, unity, and faithful gospel ministry.

The ideal candidate will value strong biblical teaching, pastor will lead with humility, wisdom, and integrity while equipping the church to grow in discipleship, evangelism, and service to the community. The candidate will embrace the church as a family and a community.

Primary Responsibilities

Preaching and Teaching

The pastor will prioritize the faithful proclamation of God’s Word by:

• Preparing and delivering biblically sound, Christ-centered sermons
• Teaching Scripture clearly with meaningful application
• Leading Bible studies or teaching opportunities as needed
• Uphold Baptist doctrine and convictions
• Ensuring that all teaching ministries remain grounded in biblical truth
• Spending time with God in prayer

Shepherding and Pastoral Care

The pastor will shepherd the congregation by:

• Caring for the spiritual well-being of church members
• Providing biblical counsel and encouragement
• Visiting members regularly as well as during times of illness, crisis, or need when possible
• Encouraging unity and spiritual growth within the church family

Leadership and Vision

The pastor will provide biblical leadership by:

• Working with church leaders to develop and communicate a clear biblical vision
• Guiding the church in prayerful decision-making
• Encouraging leadership development within the congregation
• Helping strengthen and support existing ministries

Discipleship and Ministry Development

The pastor will support the spiritual growth of the church by:

• Promoting discipleship for all ages
• Encouraging Bible study, mentoring, and small group involvement
• Equipping members to serve using their spiritual gifts
• Supporting ministries for children, youth, and adults

Evangelism and Community Engagement

The pastor will help lead the church in reaching the community by:

• Encouraging a culture of personal evangelism
• Supporting outreach initiatives within the community
• Helping the church remain mission-minded and gospel-focused

Qualifications

Candidates should demonstrate:

• A clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ
• A confirmed calling to pastoral ministry
• Agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message
• A strong commitment to the authority of Scripture
• A shepherd’s heart for caring for people
• The ability to preach and teach Scripture effectively
• Servant-Leader with a heart for people and community

The pastor should also support the cooperative mission efforts of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Education and Experience

Preferred qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Master of Divinity or equivalent theological degree from an accredited seminary
• Previous pastoral or ministry leadership experience 5+ years
• Experience in a small or growing church setting
• Demonstrated ability to lead, preach, and shepherd a congregation

Personal Qualities                                                         

The pastor we seek will be:

• Christ-centered in life and ministry
• Humble, friendly, approachable, and relational
• Faithful to Scripture and sound doctrine
• Passionate about discipleship and evangelism
• Committed to shepherding the church with wisdom and care
• Faithful in prayer

Accountability

The pastor will serve as the spiritual leader of the congregation and will work in cooperation with church leadership and ministry teams to guide the church in fulfilling its mission.

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit:

• Resume with ministry experience and education to northsideapopka@gmail.com
• Subject: Pastor Search Applicant
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• Testimony of salvation and calling to ministry
• Statement of doctrinal beliefs
• Links or recordings of two to three recent sermons
• Three to five ministry references

Who We Are

We are a Bible-centered congregational lead Southern Baptist church located in the suburban community of Apopka, near Orlando, Florida. Our church has a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere—rooted in traditional Southern Baptist values while thoughtfully engaging a diverse and growing community. We are a multi-ethnic, multi-generational congregation united by faith in Jesus Christ and a shared commitment to God’s Word.

Our leadership embraces the biblical call to be shepherds of God’s people—caring personally for the flock, protecting sound doctrine, and guiding members toward spiritual maturity. We strive for leadership that is approachable, relational, and grounded in Scripture.

Our goal is to grow intentionally not merely in attendance, but in spiritual depth, unity, gospel love, and faithful service. We believe healthy growth comes through faithful preaching, authentic relationships, and Christ-centered outreach.