Lead Pastor

Job Description

Summary/Overview:

The lead pastor role is to provide overall leadership for the church and should possess a gift and passion for the preaching of the Word of God.  The lead pastor should not shoulder all the responsibilities of the church but empower and equip staff (including associate pastor) to ensure the congregation’s spiritual needs are being met.

Qualifications:

Possess a passion and gift for preaching the Word of God through sound doctrine with relevance, authenticity, and focus on applying the truth of Scripture to daily life.

Completed seminary training.
Possess strong leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership/Administrative:

• As a part of the church consistory, assist in developing, enhancing, and implementing upon the vision of the church as well as providing insight and direction for ministerial priorities and opportunities.
• Oversee and encourage the work of the ministry lay leaders, associate pastor, and other staff members to help ensure needs of the church are being including in areas such as pastoral care, worship, education, missions, youth, etc.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to associate pastor, both spiritually and professionally.

Spiritual:

• Proclaim and provide biblically based sermons tied closely to Scripture and spend time in research, prayer, and preparation for these sermons.
• Carmel Reformed Church has morning and evening services; however, the senior pastor is not responsible for all services.  Number of services as agreed upon with the remaining services being filled by associate pastor and/or pulpit supply.
• Lead one evening prayer meeting per month.
• Officiate special services as requested such as weddings and funerals.

Other:

• Utilize their unique gifts, talents, and passions to enhance the vision of Carmel Reformed Church

Accountability:

• Report to the consistory with annual performance evaluations.
• Full time salaried position with full benefits including a parsonage (if desired).

Staff / Consistory Shared Responsibilities:

• Shared responsibilities are to be accomplished by the collective efforts of all church leaders including the senior pastor, ministry lay leaders, associate pastor, and other staff members.  Individual responsibility is determined based on individual gifts, passions, abilities, and time constraints.  Consistory is open to hiring additional staff to accomplish these shared responsibilities as needed.
• Provide and facilitate pastoral care for all members in the church which should include but not limited to visits, phone calls, counseling, and prayer.
• Provide or refer members for personal, pre-martial, marital, crisis, and conflict resolution counseling while maintaining an awareness of limitations.
• Participate in community ministry opportunities.
• Welcome and engage visitors and encourage new members to become active in the life of the church.
• Provide leadership to the education and youth programs of the church.
• Lead bible studies.
• Develop new ministries as opportunities present themselves.

Organization Description

Carmel Reformed Church is an active, multi-generational church that is growing and thriving.  We are located near Rock Valley, Iowa (northwest Iowa).  We have a diverse congregation, with members from multiple surrounding communities who choose to attend our services and events.  
 
Carmel’s mission is to further Christ’s Kingdom through Loving God and Loving Others.