Senior Pastor

1. Overview of Position

The Senior Pastor, along with the other church elders, is to provide spiritual and pastoral leadership to the congregation of East Side Grace Brethren Church. His distinctive priority is to provide well-prepared, expository preaching and teaching of the Word of God and to prepare the people of God for the work of the ministry to glorify God. 

The Senior Pastor serves to fulfill East Side Grace Brethren’s Mission: To meet people where they are and move them to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

The Senior Pastor is to have the heart of a shepherd (1 Peter 5:1-4), committed to protecting the flock with a fearful sense of God’s love for the church, His bride. Further, he is to be a man of God who has a deep love and zeal for the Scriptures, demonstrates a rich prayer life, has a fast reliance on the Holy Spirit, and bears the attributes of a disciplined, joyful follower of Christ. 

1. Position Qualifications

• Personal: In accordance with the National Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches’ Constitution, we are seeking a Senior Pastor. The candidate must possess the biblical qualifications described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-8, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. 
• Education: The candidate has attended and graduated from seminary and has a college degree. However, if he has not, equivalent 'like' experience and 'life' experience are required.
• Faith: The candidate has personally accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and preferably comes from a Grace Brethren or similar faith base. 
• Experience: The candidate has at least 10 years (10+) of experience in pastoring a church or group of people within a church. Leadership experience, leading a staff with pastors is preferred (as there are 3 pastors on ESGB staff).
• Our Beliefs: The candidate supports and affirms the Grace Brethren Church Faith Statement, Constitution, and By-Laws, Mission and Vision Statements, and what we believe about salvation (also see www.eastsidegrace.org/about-us/statement-of-faith/). 
• ESGB Church and Grace Christian School: The candidate will be led by the Word of God and have a heart for Christian education and teaching.

1. Responsibilities

Preaching: The Senior Pastor will serve as the primary preacher and set the agenda for worship during Sunday morning worship (currently there are 2 worship services at 9:30am & 11:00am each Sunday). The Pastor must be confident in the Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ to meet people where they are and move them to full followers of Jesus Christ.

Teaching: The Senior Pastor has knowledge and acceptance that Christ is the head of the church, and that the Senior Pastor serves as the primary teacher of God’s WORD. This teaching role, biblically based and inspired by Christ, serves as the cornerstone of the teaching and educational platform of the church.

Discipling:  In addition to preaching, the Senior Pastor shall seek out and lead times of teaching, equipping, and training in large group, small group, and also in one-on-one contexts with the purpose of developing spiritually mature, devoted servants and worshippers of Jesus Christ. This discipling includes espousing and sharing the Gospel; training other pastors, elders, staff and leaders of the church to be more effective in glorifying God in the work of ministry; sharing their faith; seeking providing invitations to those who are lost, to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

Leadership. In conjunction with the other pastors and elders, the Senior Pastor leads and guides the church through small groups, outreaches, missions, and other means to love and serve one another and the world with the objective of proclaiming the gospel and making disciples. 

Member Care: The Senior Pastor supports and participates in the care of the congregation with other pastors, elders, small group leaders, and members of ESGB with the goal of encouraging with biblical counsel. The pastor will be part of a team that visits the sick as an expression of Christ’s love in the power of the gospel. 

Worship: The Senior Pastor provides oversight and guidance to the elements of the Sunday worship service to foster an atmosphere that is biblical, contemplative, and participatory and prepares worshippers to hear the Word of God proclaimed and apply it to their daily lives. 

Personal Conduct: In order to fulfill any of these responsibilities, the Senior Pastor must give himself daily to the Word of God and be in constant prayer, looking to his own personal walk of obedience to Christ as well.  Beyond his personal time, he should ready himself to hear from the Lord through His Word and then be emboldened to walk by faith as he directs God’s people. 

Work Expectations: The Senior Pastor role is a full-time position leading the church and being involved with church activities. There must be great prioritization between church affairs and school affairs that need attention in an urgent manner. The ability to delegate effectively to lay person(s) and staff is imperative.

1. Working Relationships

The Senior Pastor is accountable, first and foremost, to God and His Word, and secondly to the other pastors and elders at East Side Grace Brethren Church.

He shall work with the other church pastors, elders, small group and ministry leaders, and paid and volunteer staff to effectively lead and/or participate in, as appropriate, the various ministries and functions of the church. The Senior Pastor has the opportunity when needed to address and be an ex officio member of all boards and committees of the church.

Resumes and/or inquiries may be sent to East Side Grace Brethren Church Pastoral Search Team @ Rocky@RainMakersTalent.com