Senior Pastor

Senior Pastor – First Baptist Port Orchard WA. 

Denomination: Southern Baptist Convention

Church Size: Weekly Attendance 70

Job Type: Full-Time

Meet First Baptist Church of Port Orchard

Established in 1943 as one of the first Southern Baptist churches in the Northwest, this congregation desires to honor the Lord and share the good news of Jesus Christ with the Port Orchard community and the greater Pacific Northwest. The older than average aged congregation occupies a well-maintained and functional building built in 1961. The worship service features a blend of traditional hymns and contemporary worship music. The church desire is to nurture spiritual growth and service through consistent emphasis on prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. All are welcome to join in glorifying God and growing in faith together.

About the Senior Pastor

First Baptist Port Orchard WA, is seeking an ordained SBC pastor after the retirement the previous pastor and his faithful 11 years of ministry. Pastor is to provide spiritual guidance, nurture the congregation, and work with the local SBC Association and the Northwest Baptist Convention to share the gospel locally and globally. The pastor will guide staff, church members and seekers in their Christian journeys, lead ministry programing, staff meetings, and oversee quarterly Church Council meetings.

The Senior Pastor’s responsibilities include:

• LEAD: Church members in proclaiming the Gospel and providing care for others in the church and in the community.
• PREACHING: Provide Sunday Sermon series with the research necessary. This includes conducting the ordinances – Lord’s Supper and Baptism.
• TEACHING: Prepare, plan, and provide for Bible Study, Sunday School, VBS, New Members, etc., as appropriate.
• WORSHIP: Plan and oversee all aspects of Sunday Morning Worship and special services such as Easter, Christmas Eve, etc.
• LEADERSHIP: Oversees all staff, serves as chairman of the Church Council, works closely with the Deacons in their caring for the Church Fellowship. 
• COUNSELING: Provide time to meet with those when needed. This may include members, non-members, and seekers.
• MEETING: Attends the local SBC association and the Northwest Baptist State conventions, staff and team meetings on a regular basis as deemed appropriate. Other meetings may include various Committee meetings.
• SPIRITUAL LEADER: Above all, see that our overall church program has spiritual maturity and direction toward helping others to grow in Christ, continuing seeking to make his ministry one of outreach as well as Spiritual growth. 

What you bring:

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Senior Pastor:

Education and Experience

• Master of Divinity or similar studies; 
• Ordained Southern Baptist minister or is requesting SBC Ordination
• Minimum of 2 years of pastoral experience with additional years of ministry in lieu of Master of Divinity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of Scripture and affirmation of the Baptist Faith and Message (2000) 
• Effective preaching, teaching, and pastoral care skills.
• Leadership and organizational abilities to guide staff, teams, and programs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to nurture the congregation and engage the broader community.

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• Ordained pastor with a passion for sharing God’s Word.
• Demonstrates integrity, compassion, and humility in leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships within the church and community.
• Committed to spiritual growth and guiding others in their Christian journey.

What it’s like to live in Port Orchard WA

Port Orchard offers a ministry environment well‑suited for a Southern Baptist pastor who values relational community, steady growth, and a mission‑field mindset. The city combines small‑town warmth with Puget Sound beauty—waterfront parks, a walkable downtown, and ferry access that keeps Seattle and Bremerton close while preserving a slower, more personal pace of life. Housing is more affordable than much of the Seattle metro, neighborhoods range from wooded family areas to water‑view communities, and the population includes a mix of military families, long‑time locals, and new residents moving in from across the region. Churches tend to be smaller, highly relational, and ripe for shepherding, evangelism, and revitalization work. For a pastor seeking a place where presence matters, where discipleship grows through genuine relationships, and where the gospel can take root in a scenic, tight‑knit, and steadily growing community, Port Orchard offers a compelling setting.