Description
Westwood Community Church, located in Chanhassen, Minnesota is seeking a Senior Pastor as our Senior Pastor transitions to Founding Pastor. We are asking God for a visionary, Christ-centered leader to embody and advance Westwood’s Way: to be and love like Jesus. Building on a thirty-year legacy of generosity and impact, we are looking for a biblically-grounded Senior Pastor to humbly inspire and guide our church family to our next chapter.
We are BLESSED to be a BLESSING. The result is a rhythm of life that pulsates through our manner of incarnational ministry—it begins with God. God gives, we receive. From the abundance of His blessings, we give. God is glorified—and the rhythm continues.
Senior Pastor Joel K. Johnson founded Westwood in 1995 as part of a church planting strategy of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Westwood grew rapidly, from a church with a novel beginning in a dinner theater to one today with community expressions that vary from weekend gatherings on three campuses and online, to micro-sites in prisons and a growing network of micro-churches.
Westwood's Next Leader Will Be a...
• LEAD TEACHING PASTOR | Serving as the congregation's principal communicator of God's Word, the Senior Pastor will thoughtfully design and deliver sermons that integrate theological depth with practical application. Committed to biblical fidelity, the Pastor will collaborate with Westwood’s teaching team to address complex topics with Christ-centered conviction, grace, and compassion. The Pastor’s teaching will instill Christ’s love while it elevates the proclamation of the gospel.
• VISIONARY | The Senior Pastor will catalyze innovation and strategic growth, imagining ministry and discipleship methods for current and future generations. With prophetic imagination and holy curiosity, the Pastor will seek fresh expressions of Westwood’s heritage and mission, inspiring the congregation to embrace new possibilities while staying grounded in faith.
• LEADER AMONG LEADERS | As the primary steward of Westwood’s mission, the Senior Pastor offers visionary leadership and clear direction for the church body. The Pastor will humbly partner with the church staff and Leadership Board to instill trust and collaboration, sharing significant decisions. As the “first among equals,” the Pastor will prayerfully make the hard calls where needed. By cultivating a flourishing servant leadership ecosystem, the Pastor will enable staff and volunteers to develop their own gifts and grow in ministry effectiveness.
• CONGREGATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SHEPHERD | Committed to holistic care and spiritual formation, the Senior Pastor has a heart to nurture, guide, protect, and come alongside the congregation and faith community here, near, and far. As an approachable leader, the Pastor will create a culture where people feel seen and known, safe in navigating the trials and triumphs of life. The Pastor will advocate for sustainable and compassionate pastoral care systems for the Westwood congregation and ministry beyond Westwood’s walls. The Pastor will value and continue our commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships with churches representing various cultural backgrounds, including those serving immigrant and refugee communities.
Key Senior Pastor Requirements
• A clear call from God to the ministry
• Seminary degree required; Ph.D. or Doctor of Ministry preferred
• Direct ministry leadership experience (5 years preferred) in a large or multi-church environment
• Ordination in an evangelical denomination
• A character that reflects the leadership qualities found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7
We exist to help people be and love like Jesus. We do this through relevant Bible teaching, modern worship and creating a variety of opportunities for significant and supportive relationships. Whether this is your first time visiting a church or your thousandth time, we want you to feel welcome here. Come as you are—in jeans or your Sunday best. Wherever you are in your faith, we want to meet you and help you navigate life.