Lead Pastor

The Lead Pastor is the church’s primary preacher and teacher of the Word of God, and is responsible to bring overall vision and leadership to the ministries of the church. As the ‘first among equals’ on Maranatha's Elder Board and as leader of the church staff, he gives spiritual, administrative and shepherding oversight to the church’s ministries, works toward the spiritual depth and growth of the congregation, and helps guide the vision of the church to reach its community and world with the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ.

PREACH/TEACH

• He will dedicate time during the week for prayer, study, writing and preparation to teach and preach the Word of God at worship services and other opportunities that the Lord opens doors to do so.
• He will call people to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ through faith and to life-transformation through the Holy Spirit.
• While working with those planning the public worship services, the lead pastor will have the overall responsibility that the services are effective at drawing participants to magnify and revere the Lord and to respond to the Lord’s call on their lives.

LEAD

Lead the Church

• In partnership with the elder board, the lead pastor is a key voice in the establishment and communication of the church’s vision and gives oversight to ensure that all church ministries are in alignment with that vision as they fulfill Christ’s mission of making disciplemakers of Maranatha’s constituents, of Barron County’s populace and of the world.
• He gives oversight to ensure that the administrative functions of the church office and of the broader church are effectively handled by trained and gifted individuals.
• He ensures that the shepherding needs of congregational care are addressed personally and/or through other trained and gifted persons in the church. These shepherding responsibilities may include crisis care intervention, weddings, funerals, baptisms, dedications, counseling, visitation, etc.
• The lead pastor will be a model of and champion for prayer to be a vital element of church life.
• He is a primary face of Maranatha in the Rice Lake and Barron County community, representing the church before the region’s pastors, the community at large and the Evangelical Free Church Association.
• As a member of the Nominating Committee, he helps guide the selection of future Maranatha elders.

Lead the Staff

• He is responsible to lead the church staff so that they effectively fulfill the duties to which they are called/assigned.
• He conducts and document regular (at least semi-annually) reviews of each staff member and works with them to create plans to help them grow in their ability to excel in their ministries.
• He fosters an environment of teamwork and transparent communication within the staff and sees that any conflicts are addressed. Conflicts that may arise between a staff member and the lead pastor will be addressed in a timely manner with the assistance of the elder board.

Lead the Elders

• He serves in partnership with the elder board to establish, implement and evaluate the vision and mission of the church.
• He gives a monthly report of his ministry activities and regularly reports his assessment of the staff and the church ministries to the elders.
• He equips elders to be effective in fulfilling their elder responsibilities.
• He meets regularly with elder board chairman to establish priorities for the board and to identify the agenda for elder board meetings.
• He works with the elders to assess the ongoing spiritual condition and needs of the church.

Accountability

• He acts as the ‘first among equals’ as part of Maranatha's elder board while being subject to the authority and oversight of the board.
• His ministry will be regularly (at least semi-annually) reviewed by the elder board, and he will be part of the regular assessment of the elders.
• Other specifics relating to this position are described in MEFC by-laws.