Senior Pastor
Job Description
We are prayerfully seeking a pastor who is called by God to shepherd His church, proclaim the Word with clarity and conviction and equip the saints for the work of ministry. The pastor will provide spiritual leadership, biblical teaching and pastoral care, while partnering with church leadership to advance our mission of living and proclaiming the gospel in Jersey City and beyond.
Core Responsibilities
Preaching & Teaching
• Faithfully preach and teach the Word of God with expository clarity, theological soundness and gospel focus
• Proclaim Christ crucified and risen as central to all of life and ministry
• Guard the church doctrinally in alignment with the EFCA Statement of Faith
Shepherding & Pastoral Care
• Shepherd the congregation with humility, love and spiritual discernment
• Provide pastoral care through counseling, prayer, visitation and spiritual guidance
• Model a life of spiritual maturity, integrity and devotion to Christ
Leadership & Vision
• Lead collaboratively with the elder board and ministry leaders
• Cast and steward a clear gospel-centered vision rooted in Scripture
• Equip and disciple leaders and members for ministry within and beyond the church
Mission & Outreach
• Encourage and lead the church in living out the gospel in Jersey City
• Promote evangelism, discipleship and mercy ministries
• Support and participate in gospel mission beyond the local church, including global missions
Church Life & Administration
• Oversee worship services, ordinances and church programs
• Participate in strategic planning and organizational leadership
• Support healthy church governance consistent with EFCA policy
Qualifications & Expectations
Spiritual & Character Qualifications
• A clear calling to pastoral ministry
• A life that reflects biblical qualifications for an elder (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1)
• A deep love for Christ, His Word and His Church
Theological Alignment
• Full affirmation of the EFCA Statement of Faith
• Commitment to the authority, sufficiency and inerrancy of Scripture
• A gospel-centered theological framework
Education & Experience
• Formal theological training (seminary degree preferred)
• Demonstrated experience in preaching, teaching and pastoral leadership
EFCA Credentialing
• Must be EFCA-credentialed or willing to pursue and obtain EFCA credentialing
About this Church
Vroom Street church traces its roots to early Free Church ministry that began in Jersey City in 1889. After a short-lived effort, the congregation was formally organized on a firm foundation in 1891 by Norwegian believers under the leadership of Gustav Dahl to serve Norwegian immigrants. Today Vroom Street ECFA is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic congregation and has been known as such for about 40 years. We are located in the 2nd largest city in New Jersey. The city is currently in the middle of a makeover where hire-rise apartments are replacing old neighborhoods causing an influx of many new faces to be reached for the gospel. Our mission statement: Impacting Jersey City and beyond by living and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.