Senior Pastor

POSITION OVERVIEW

First Baptist Church of Gladewater, Texas, is searching for a dynamic and experienced Pastor to lead our church into the future. This pastor will be responsible for providing leadership to the church community, preaching Bible-based sermons, casting vision in fulfillment of the church’s mission, developing discipleship strategies that foster spiritual growth and outreach, and providing pastoral care. This role includes overseeing a small team of 3-5 part-time staff members, working collaboratively with church leadership and volunteers, and ensuring the doctrinal integrity of the church’s faith and beliefs in alignment with Baptist theology.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Spiritual Leadership

• Preaching and Teaching: Deliver biblically grounded sermons each Sunday and during special services, ensuring messages are relevant and inspiring
• Doctrinal Integrity: Uphold and protect the church’s Statement of Faith, ensuring all teaching, preaching, and ministries align with the core beliefs and Baptist doctrine of the church.
• Worship Planning: Collaborate with the worship team to design meaningful worship services that glorify God, engage the congregation, and reflect the church’s theological convictions.
• Discipleship: Develop and lead programs for spiritual formation, including Bible studies, small groups, and mentoring initiatives, to deepen faith while reinforcing the church’s doctrinal foundation.

Pastoral Care

• Counseling: Provide compassionate pastoral counseling to individuals and families, offering biblical guidance consistent with the church’s beliefs for personal, spiritual, and crisis-related needs.
• Visitation: Conduct regular visits to members, including the sick, homebound, and those in hospitals or care facilities, to offer support and prayer.
• Life Events: Officiate baptisms, weddings, funerals, and other significant milestones, ensuring ceremonies reflect the church’s faith and practices.

Administrative Leadership

• Staff Oversight: Supervise and support 3-5 part-time staff members (e.g., administrative assistant, music director, youth leader), providing guidance, setting goals, and fostering a collaborative team environment aligned with the church’s mission.
• Budget and Resources: Work with the church Finance Team to develop and manage the annual budget, ensuring responsible stewardship of financial and physical resources.
• Church Operations: Oversee day-to-day church activities, including facility maintenance, event planning, and coordination of volunteer efforts.

Vision and Outreach

• Strategic Planning: Cast a vision for the church’s future, working with the congregation and leadership to set goals for growth, ministry expansion, and community impact, while safeguarding the church’s doctrinal integrity.
• Community Engagement: Lead outreach initiatives, such as local missions, community service projects, and evangelistic efforts, to connect with the surrounding community in ways consistent with the church’s beliefs.
• Denominational Involvement: Represent First Baptist Church Gladewater in denominational activities, fostering relationships with other Baptist churches and organizations that share compatible doctrine.

Leadership Development

• Mentoring Leaders: Identify, train, and empower lay leaders and volunteers to serve effectively in ministries, ensuring their efforts align with the church’s faith and values.
• Conflict Resolution: Mediate conflicts within the congregation with grace and wisdom, promoting unity and reconciliation while upholding biblical and doctrinal standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent theological degree from an accredited seminary preferred; Bachelor’s degree with significant ministry experience considered.
• Experience: At least 5 years of pastoral or ministry leadership experience, preferably in a Baptist or similar congregational setting, with a demonstrated commitment to doctrinal fidelity.
• Skills:
• Strong preaching and teaching abilities rooted in Scripture and aligned with First Baptist Church Gladewater’s Statement of Faith.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven leadership and team-building skills, with experience managing small staff teams.
• Ability to provide empathetic pastoral care and counseling consistent with church doctrine.
• Organizational and administrative proficiency.
• Character: A mature and growing faith in Jesus Christ, with a life that reflects biblical values, integrity, and a commitment to upholding the church’s doctrinal standards.
• Ordination: Ordained or eligible for ordination within the Baptist denomination, with agreement to the church’s Statement of Faith.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Congregation Size: Approximately 150 members.
• Staff: Direct supervision of 3-5 part-time staff members, with additional collaboration with volunteers and church committees.
• Schedule: Full-time position, including Sundays, with flexibility required for evening and weekend commitments (e.g., meetings, visitations, and special events).

COMPENSATION

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience, including benefits (e.g., health insurance, retirement plan, or housing allowance).
• Paid vacation and continuing education allowance provided.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed by the Pastoral Search Committee, followed by interviews and a candidating process to ensure alignment with the church’s mission and doctrinal standards.