Senior Pastor

Valley Baptist Church (VBC) is a Southern Baptist Church prayerfully seeking the man God has prepared to lead our congregation as the Senior Pastor. After 23 years of fruitful ministry, our Senior Pastor has announced his intention to retire this year. 

Founded in 1962, VBC is located in Appleton, Wisconsin. Appleton is one of 20 communities in the Fox Cities area, all of which are located within 12 miles of VBC and have a total population of 250,000 people. 

VBC Highlights Include:    

 ·        500-seat-sanctuary and 11-classroom addition completed December 2021  

·        10% growth per year in average worship attendance since completion of the new sanctuary; currently averaging 250-300 in worship services

·        Sunday School for all ages, including ten adult Bible-study classes; 

Average SS attendance 75% of worship attendance 

·        Full-time Associate Pastor, Admin. Assistant; Part-time Preschool Director  

·        Biblical-counseling ministry with certified lay counselors 

·        75% of attending adults are actively serving in church ministries 

·        Culture based on “watching to see where God is at work around us and joining Him in what He is doing”  

·        Location at an intersection on Interstate 41 promotes regional attendance 

·        Builders For Christ volunteer construction team – 30 years of experience 

·        Long-time leadership in the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention

Senior Pastor Role 

·        Preach with Biblical exposition and sound doctrine in Sunday morning services; ensure Bible-study teaching for all ages on Wednesday nights 

·        Be an authentic spiritual leader of the congregation and ensure that all aspects of church life maintain Biblical integrity 

·        Grow the evangelistic outreach of the congregation 

·        With the Associate Pastor, ensure effective outreach to families with young children and youth 

·        Provide pastoral care as needed; equip others in caring ministry 

·        Chair the Ministry Council, which includes the volunteer leaders of the five functions of the Church (Worship, Outreach, Discipleship, Fellowship, and Ministry) and Logistics (Finance, Facilities, Personnel, and Safety). The Council also includes the paid Ministerial Staff.

·        Equip and manage the staff 

·        Ensure ongoing leadership development 

·        Preside at quarterly congregational business meetings and serve as an ex-officio member of all committees 

·        Represent VBC well in the geographic area and with affiliating churches 

Qualifications 

·        Meets Biblical qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4 

·        Models integrity in personal life

·        Minimum of a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent

·        Minimum of 8 years of pastoral experience, including demonstration of strong leadership skills

·        Prefer experience leading a multi-staff team

·        Candidate must affirm the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and God’s desire that all people will be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9) 

Compensation 

·        Full-time salaried position  

·        Competitive compensation package commensurate with education level and experience 

·        Professional-expense allowance 

·        Assistance with relocation expenses

How to Apply 

Candidates with a passion for preaching the Word of God and strong team-building leadership experience are encouraged to apply. If you sense God may be calling you to serve here and lead the VBC team, please send: 

·        a cover letter (one-page or a bit over if necessary) explaining

1        why you feel you are a strong candidate for the Senior Pastor position at Valley Baptist Church,

2        how you believe God has prepared you for this position and how you are sensing that He may be leading you to apply for it, and

3       three or four outstanding skills and capabilities that you would bring to the position;

·        a current resumé; and

·        links to or digital recordings of 3 recent sermons 

to [email protected] or by mail to Charles Dunning, Pastor Search Committee, Valley Baptist Church, 3600 N. Chippewa St., Appleton, WI 54911.