Lead Pastor
Location: First Baptist Church, Puyallup, WA
Date Posted: 01/20/2025
Categories: Senior Pastor
Denominations: Baptist -- American
Church Size: average attendance – 75
Job Type: Full-Time
Employee Workplace: On-site
Position: Lead Pastor
A FACE TO THE FUTURE
Beyond the basic responsibilities and qualifications listed below, First Baptist Church of Puyallup is seeking someone to lead us into our next chapter of ministry. Puyallup, WA, is a growing community of over 42,000, located on the southeast side of Seattle-Tacoma. As a part of the Pacific Northwest, we are among some of the most unchurched areas in the nation. Our next pastor needs to lead the congregation to accomplish its mission by teaching Biblical truth, casting vision, and advancing the mission. The pastor also needs to have strong relational skills and connect with people, be able to compassionately lead us in change, and empower us to translate our personal experiences with Christ into relevant encounters with our community.
ABOUT US:
FBCP has been in the community of Puyallup since 1861, before Washington became a State. It has been designated a “Heritage Church” by the State for its long tenure in Puyallup. Our worship style is Contemporary with occasional Hymns. We have recently completed some redecorating in order to make the building more welcoming.
Since October of 2023 we have been led by a Transitional Pastor who been helping us prepare for our new Pastor as we redefine ourselves for the future. Two major changes since we have adopted is to change the name of the church to: River of Hope Community Church. We are waiting for State approval for our dba. The other is a rewriting of our Bylaws to better support the leadership of the Pastor.
MISSION STATEMENT: LOVING OTHERS AS JESUS LOVES US
MINISTRY PRIORITIES:
We are seeking someone who will fulfill the following Ministry Priorities:
FBCP is a loving and compassionate community of faith: This compassion begins with the church family and extends to the community around us. We are seeking someone who can build on this culture.
Commitment to growth and community engagement: we have connections with the community and local elementary school through our outreach events. We are seeking someone who will build on that to reach young families.
Latino Church: one of our staff persons is a Latino Pastor who is leading an outreach to the Latino Community which will become a “church within a church” of FBCP. We are seeking someone who is excited about this opportunity and will coach and support the Latino Pastor and this ministry.
Commitment to following God’s lead: as we engage Christ’s Mission to make disciples: We are looking for someone to create a culture of discipleship. And someone who will seek God’s will and wisdom in doing so.
Relational - congregation and community: We understand that to reach out and make new disciples we have to engage people relationally. We are seeking someone with a heart for people, building relationships with our members while prioritizing building relationships with those we have yet to reach.
Children/youth are important to us: We are seeking someone who will help us build our children’s/youth ministry to young families and expand the effectiveness of our Outreach Events in making new disciples. Our Children’s Ministry needs rebuilding.
Biblical truth and authority iof the scriptures is our foundation: We are seeking a Pastor who will share this commitment and preach and teach from the Bible.
QUALIFICATIONS:
We prefer someone with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree but will also consider someone with a Bachelor’s in the areas of Biblical Studies/Theology/Ministry with ministry experience.
We require our Lead Pastor to either become ordained through our Region partner, Mission Northwest, or to have their previous ordination recognized by Mission Northwest within two years of their start date.
Application Process: Interested persons should send their resume and a letter of interest to: Rev. Tucker J. Gunneman at searchconsultant1955.com