Senior Pastor

A. Character Qualifications (An Example of Practical Christian Living)

1. Experiences a growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. Models a Christ-centered marriage and family life.
3. Spends much time in prayer and personal Bible study.
4. Prays regularly concerning the church’s overall work and direction.
5. Meets the qualifications of elders (I Timothy 3, Titus 1).
6. Models a servant attitude in leadership (humility, teachability, discipline and accountability).
7. Displays initiative and follow-through; a self-starter.

B. Desired Training & Experience (A Proven Track Record)

1. Seminary degree and ordained (or working on / willing to complete).
2. Five years of ministry experience that reflects the ability to serve effectively as senior pastor of Grace Community Church.
3. Multi-staff church management experience desired.

C. Responsibilities:

The following are the specialized tasks, but it is expected that all pastors will share pastoral duties based on schedules and giftedness.

Preach and Teach the Word of God

1. Shows disciplined and accurate scriptural interpretation using appropriate tools.
2. Prepares and delivers biblically-based sermons (a major emphasis).
3. Delivers sermons that include personal application and are balanced to encourage unbelievers to know Christ and believers to grow spiritually and to share the truth of Christ with others.

Develop the Vision/Build the Leaders

1. Recruits, disciples and mentors elders and church leaders to encourage personal spiritual development and growth.
2. Encourages/leads individuals out of their comfort zones to release their gifts and participate in the ministries of the church.
3. Assumes leadership to lead the congregation toward GCC’s vision (along with the elders and leadership council) by implementing strategies to carry out the church’s mission guided by its values.
4. Equips, empowers and encourages staff and boards.
5. Schedules meetings with ministries of the church to impart vision and provide encouragement.

Shepherd the Flock

1. Develops positive relationships and communicates well with all age groups and personalities.
2. Participates in nurture activities such as visiting the sick and bereaved.
3. Provides assessment for personal counseling.
4. Schedules follow-up calls or visits for those who expressed concerns or sought help.

Grow the Staff

1. Schedules weekly staff meetings with directly supervised pastoral staff to discuss shared leadership responsibilities and issues.
2. Provides management, direction and ongoing supervision/administration for paid staff and encourages their spiritual development and growth.
3. Meets monthly on-on-one with each staff to check up on goals, obstacles and possible solutions in their area of ministry.
4. Recommends new staff positions as needed.
5. Provides input to boards or committees regarding staff pay, benefits and working conditions.
6. Assists in developing and/or updating staff position descriptions.
7. Participates on all pastoral staff search committees

Monitor Spiritual Welfare

1. Member of the elder board that represents the entire pastoral and support staffs.
2. Attends, actively participates in and works with chairman to set the agenda for all elder board meetings.
3. Coordinates regular communication between the pastor staff and elder board.
4. Oversees role distinctions between staff and the board.
5. With the other elders, watches over the spiritual welfare of the church protecting doctrinal and ethical integrity.
6. Provides and/or oversees instruction and training.

Lead Worship Services and Events

1. Provides guidance to the worship team in the planning of regular and special worship services.
2. With other elders, leads and administers communion.
3. Coordinates and officiates at formal events such as weddings, funerals, child dedications and baptisms.

Expectations and Accountability

1. Attends team leader (Leadership Council) and elder board meetings plus other committee meetings when necessary.
2. Provides a monthly report to the leadership council.
3. Holds office hours that will be approved by the elder board.
4. Aware of and vitally interested in the ministries at Grace Community Church without necessarily attending every function.
5. Fully endorses the EFCA Statement of Faith and Grace Community Church constitution/by-laws.
6. Encouraged to participate in the local ministerial association, EFCA ministerial annual conferences and may be involved in community functions and ministry initiatives.

D. Accountability:

Accountable to the elder board on behalf of the congregation.
Submit to an initial 90 Day-Review by the elder board
Receives an annual evaluation by the elder board