Senior/Teaching Pastor

Please note: If you do not have an M.Div. or Th.M., and regular preaching experience in a local church, you do not have the qualifications we require. We might consider someone with an M.A. and extensive experience.

We are a church that believes saving faith is simple trust in God’s promise to receive the gift of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. While there is certainly a change of mind—repentance—about God and sin, we do not believe saving faith requires any kind of commitment or submission or a promise of obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We believe those are issues for the outworking of salvation in discipleship/sanctification; not how one becomes a child of God.

In that outworking of genuine saving faith, we do not believe that everyone who is regenerate will finish well in this life. All those born of the Spirit will certainly produce some fruit, but some may shipwreck their faith (1Tim 1:18-20) and end up being generally useless and fruitless (2Pe 1:8-9). But eternally secure, they will end up being saved yet as through fire (1Cor 3:15).

FBC Senior Pastor Job Description

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Our mission is to partner with God in transforming people into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

(Meeting people where they are. Taking people where God wants to go.)

Why This Role Matters

We're a church that's honest about where we are and hungry for where God wants to take us. We believe our next Senior Pastor will be a key part of building a culture of discipleship, fellowship, gospel witness (local and global), and community transformation. This isn't a caretaker role — it's a shaping role.

At a Glance

• Church -- Fellowship Bible Church (FBC)
• Role -- Senior/Teaching Pastor (Full-Time)
• Accountability -- Serves alongside and under elder board authority
• Day Off -- One full day off weekly — and we mean it – no church stuff
• Review Cycle -- Annual review of role, growth, and compensation

We’re looking for someone who…

• Leads with humility and preaches with depth
• Has a heart for reaching people beyond the church walls
• Fully agrees with our doctrinal and position statements
• Mature, competent in ministry but is still growing, not just managing his gifts
• Loves working within a team of elders — not above them

What This Role Is Built On

The Senior Pastor serves in four interconnected capacities:

• Elder: Qualified, spiritually mature, serving alongside all elders.
• Teacher: Primary Sunday preacher — biblical, engaging, life-changing.
• Community: Mobilizing FBC outward, not just inward.
• Leader: Overseeing staff and office operations.

Responsibilities

 Shared with Other Elders

• Discern and shape God-inspired vision and direction with the elder board
• Prepare the annual budget
• Shepherd the congregation along with the elders — prayer, counseling, life milestones (weddings, funerals, baptism)
• Reachable and responsive to contacts from other leaders and church body
• Arrange for Discovery Class at least twice per year
• Set a visible example of spiritual maturity and servant leadership working as diligently as other elders who carry out their responsibilities on top of full-time jobs
• Guard doctrinal integrity and a culture of transformed lives — not just content delivery
• Help members discover and deploy their God-given gifts
• Develop the next generation of deacons and elders
• Participate in the Nominating Committee and oversee FBC ministries

 Teaching & Discipleship

• Preach original, expository messages (topical or book-based) with biblical depth and cultural relevance to help the people of FBC be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ
• Build a 3-month preaching calendar in advance — collaborative with elders and responsive to congregational needs
• Use technology and creative tools to enhance your teaching and overall ministry
• Cultivate other gifted teachers within the body — you shouldn’t be the only voice from the pulpit

 Community Impact ← Our Growth Edge

Honest note from our elders: Community outreach is an acknowledged weakness.

We desire our next pastor to be a catalyst here.

• Equip and mobilize the congregation to make disciples where they live, work, learn, and play
• Personally engage in at least one elder-approved, local (not necessarily Christian) community organization — FBC covers the costs
• Work with ministry team leaders to identify and pursue gospel opportunities in the community

  Administration & Team Leadership

• Hire and, when necessary, dismiss staff in consultation with the elders
• Personally meet with each staff member regularly to encourage, pray, direct, and review
• Ensure the office runs smoothly — phone responsiveness, financial reporting, records, scheduling, digital presence, churchwide communications
• Current part-time staff: Childcare Director, Financial Secretary, Learning Center Director, Youth Director, Worship Leader

 Personal & Professional Development

• Engage in Scripture study and prayer for personal growth — not just ministry prep
• Read broadly, Christian and non-Christian literature
• Identify and pursue growth areas with the elders — with measurable steps
• Maintain regular connection with outside pastors and ministry leaders
• Regularly lead or participate in a small group yourself

What We're Looking For

Above all, this person must be an elder-qualified man (1 Tim. 3, Titus 1) — doctrinally sound, morally above reproach, and relationally healthy.

•  A track record of effective biblical preaching — Sunday mornings are the public foundation of this ministry
• Genuine love for people outside the church, not just those in it
• Collaborative spirit — you thrive in team-based leadership, not solo pastoral models
• Operational competence — comfortable with standard software; willing to learn PowerChurch
• Resilient, self-aware, still teachable

Life at FBC — Rhythms & Culture

We want our pastor to flourish, not just perform. A few things worth knowing:

• You'll have optional spring and fall study/retreat weeks — separate from vacation
• You're expected at elder meetings and most church-wide events, but not every activity
• Compensation is reviewed each fall through the budget process
• You'll have the freedom to invite guest preachers, within budget
• The elder board leads together — you shape direction with us, not for us

We are suburban, welcoming, family-friendly church located near the confluence of Columbia, Irmo and Lexington.