Senior Pastor

First Christian Church – Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Reports to: Church Council

Status: Full-Time

About First Christian Church

First organized in 1812, First Christian Church of Wolfeboro is a historic, Christ-centered congregation committed to the authority of Scripture and the proclamation of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). First Christian Church is a community church with its doors open to both year-round residents and seasonal friends from varying denominational backgrounds.

With approximately 100 members and an annual operating budget of $341,000, the church seeks a Pastor who will faithfully shepherd the body with courage and conviction (1 Peter 5:2–4), strengthen Biblical discipleship, and provide clear, decisive leadership in a complex and changing cultural moment—helping lead the church in reaching the next generation for Christ.

The ministry is currently supported by a part-time Church Secretary, Director of Music, and Director of Technical Services.

Position Summary

The Pastor serves as the primary spiritual, doctrinal, and visionary leader of First Christian Church. He is responsible for preaching and teaching the whole counsel of God and equipping believers for lives of obedience, service, and witness (Ephesians 4:11–13).

The Pastor is called to lead with biblical courage, moral clarity, and pastoral wisdom, exercising spiritual authority rooted in Scripture rather than cultural opinion (Galatians 1:10). This role provides day-to-day leadership, pastoral care, and oversight of ministries in alignment with a conservative Biblical worldview, calling the church to be transformed by the renewing of the mind rather than conformed to the world (Romans 12:2).

Key Responsibilities

Preaching & Teaching

• Prepare and deliver expository, Christ-centered sermons grounded in the inerrant Word of God (2 Timothy 4:2)
• Teach sound doctrine that upholds the historic Christian faith and guards the flock from error (Titus 1:9)
• Proclaim Biblical truth with clarity, conviction, and grace, even when countercultural (Acts 4:29–31)
• Lead and oversee worship services in partnership with ministry staff
• Administer baptism and the Lord’s Supper in accordance with Scripture

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation

• Make Biblical discipleship a primary thrust of the ministry, training and empowering lay leaders to shepherd the flock
• Membership and new-believer classes (Matthew 28:19–20)
• Discipleship pathways rooted in Scripture
• Small-group Bible studies
• Training in spiritual gifts and ministry involvement (1 Corinthians 12:4–31)
• Equip believers to live out and defend a Biblical worldview with humility and confidence (1 Peter 3:15)

Pastoral Care

• Shepherd the congregation through prayer, counseling, and visitation (Galatians 6:2)
• Provide Biblical guidance and spiritual leadership for individuals and families
• Officiate weddings, funerals, baby dedications, baptisms, and other pastoral services consistent with church doctrine
• Develop and oversee a visitation team to ensure pastoral care needs are met

Leadership & Administration

• Collaborate with the Church Council in vision-casting, planning, and decisive leadership (Proverbs 29:18)
• Lead with spiritual authority, wisdom, and accountability, modeling servant leadership rather than passivity (Mark 10:42–45)
• Support and oversee ministry staff and volunteer leaders
• Participate in stewardship, budget planning, and responsible management of church resources
• Ensure clarity, unity, and accountability across all ministries and communications
• Demonstrate the foresight to identify, develop, and mobilize strong leaders, guiding them with wisdom and Biblical conviction (2 Timothy 2:2)

Community & Outreach

• Serve as a visible and confident public witness for Christ in the Wolfeboro community (Matthew 5:14–16)
• Lead and encourage evangelism and Gospel-centered service
• Engage community leaders and organizations with wisdom, respect, and clarity of conviction (Colossians 4:5–6)
• Help the church welcome new families and younger generations while remaining firmly anchored in Scripture

Qualifications

Required

• A clear, mature testimony of faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9–10)
• Unwavering commitment to the authority, sufficiency, and inerrancy of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
• Full agreement with and support of the Church Covenant, Statement of Faith, and Constitution and By-laws
• Bachelor’s degree in ministry or theology (Master of Divinity preferred)
• Demonstrated experience in preaching, teaching, and pastoral care
• Proven ability to equip the church for discipleship and service (Ephesians 4:12)
• Ordained pastor with at least five years of experience in a vibrant, biblically faithful congregation

Preferred

• Experience developing Biblical discipleship programs and small groups
• A heart for reaching young families and children with the Gospel (Mark 10:14; Deuteronomy 6:6–9)
• Strong listening, administrative, and communication skills

Doctrinal Commitments of the Church

We believe:  

God is Creator: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…In Him, all things were created. We apply this belief by gathering regularly to praise and worship God in whose image we were all created, by acknowledging that likeness in others and responding to their needs, and by being good stewards of all He has provided.

(Gen. 1:1; Ps. 19:1-2; Matt. 25:34-36; Col. 1:15-16)

God is Three Persons: God exists eternally and in perfect harmony as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Son, Jesus, is the exact representation of God the Father and the Holy Spirit is the spiritual presence of God within us. We believe “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). We apply this belief by receiving the Son into our hearts and following the guidance of the Spirit to produce the fruit of His nature: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

(Matt. 3:16-17; Mark 1:10-11; Gal. 5:22-23; Hebrews 1:3)

God Offers Salvation Through Jesus: According to the Scriptures, Christ died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day was raised from the dead. By confessing with your mouth that Jesus Chris is Lord and believing in you heart that God raised Him from the dead in order to make salvation possible, you will be saved. (1 Cor. 15:3-4, 17; Rom. 10:9)

 . 10:9)

God Speaks Through His Word: The Bible is God’s living Word and the reference point for all aspects of our lives. His Word inspires our thoughts, words and deeds. We apply this belief by listening to Scripture as we worship; by studying it, alone and in small groups; and by depending on it as the essential guide in all relationships and service to God.  (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

God is Love: When sin entered the world through the disobedience of Adam, God separated Himself from mankind because He is holy; but God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son [Jesus] that whoever believes in him shall… from that moment on be eternally restored to God. We apply this belief by acknowledging Jesus as our personal Savior and nurturing an ongoing relationship with Him daily that empowers us to turn away from sin, to love one another profoundly – even our enemies, and to share this life-saving Gospel with all people in our path. (Gen. 3:22-24; Matt. 5-7)

The Pastor must teach, defend, and practice these convictions with clarity, humility, and faithfulness to Scripture (Titus 1:9).

Personal Characteristics

·        Above reproach in character and conduct (1 Timothy 3:2)

·        Prayerful, humble, and servant-hearted, yet courageous and resolute in leadership (Philippians 2:3–5; Joshua 1:9)

·        Doctrinally grounded and uncompromising on Biblical truth (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

·        Emotionally and spiritually steady under pressure, able to lead through conflict and challenge (1 Corinthians 16:13)

·        Able to disciple and build relationships across generations (2 Timothy 2:1–2)

·        Committed to unity without sacrificing truth (Ephesians 4:3; Ephesians 4:15)

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes salary and benefits as determined by the Church Council.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates may submit a résumé, statement of faith, and recent sermon sample(s) to the Pastoral Search Committee at First Christian Church, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire at pastorsearch@firstchristianwolfeboro.org