Senior Pastor

Job Description

In addition to Sunday services, the Pastor will be expected to teach/oversee the church’s weekly bible studies, ministries, and outreach activities. Other responsibilities include providing support to those seeking counsel and/or guidance, and visitation to shut-in’s and the sick. The Pastor is expected to interact with the various church boards as well as to appreciate the importance of our history and traditions.

Experience and Qualifications

A Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university in Applied Ministry, Christian Ministry, or other acceptable Theology degree. A Masters in Divinity or Theology is preferred. However, if you are currently working on one or more of these degrees that may be acceptable.

Ordained and willing to become a member of the American Baptist Churches USA.

Exhibits visionary servant leadership and motivated to participate in the WVABC.

At all times exhibit spiritual maturity, integrity, purity, and humility.

Strong leadership skills to support and guide church leaders.

Ability to interact and communicate with all ages of church membership.

Must support FBC constitution and by-laws.

Ability to examine God’s Word and effectively communicate these truths in a variety of settings, such as the pulpit, bible study and one on one counseling.

A minimum of one to two years of ministry experience is required.

Responsibilities and Activities

Preaching Sunday morning service, along with guiding and directing the order of service.

Oversee the ordinance of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Must be in the office daily and allow time to meet with members when requested.

Conduct Pastoral care and counseling.

Take the lead in community outreach.

Maintain a program of personal devotional time to deepen his walk with God.

Regularly pray for the church and the body of the church.

Minister in times of bereavement and conduct services.

Conduct wedding ceremonies deemed appropriate by FBC principles.

Oversee premarital counseling.

Conduct all services in a warm, welcome, and open atmosphere.

Organization Description

We are a Bible-based congregation of about 102 adult members and 17 children with an average attendance of 70 in Worship Service. While over time our membership has declined and is ageing, we aspire to grow our membership with new members and young families. In addition to our Sunday Worship Service, we have Sunday School programs for all ages, Children and Youth ministries, Adult fellowship ministries, missions, and outreach ministries.

Our church has a long history in the Dunbar area. The church was established in 1916. On October 5, 1952, the first service was held in our current building on 16th Street. After numerous renovations, we are still at the location today.

First Baptist Church has 54 active households that are involved with our worship services and ministries. The members come from areas all around Kanawha County.

35 households (49%) are from the Dunbar area. 20 households are not able to attend our services anymore due to aging and health-related issues.

First Baptist Church has been a generational church over the years. Families attended church together even if some of the family members lived in different towns. Out of our 102 adult members, 67% are 70 years of age or older.

Dunbar is a city in Kanawha County, WV, situated along the Kanawha River. Dunbar is 7 miles from Charleston, the capitol city of WV.  The current population is 7,203. The population is declining on average of -3.7% per year compared to -2.9% in Kanawha County.

The median age in the city is 46.8 years. 20% of residents are under the age of 18 and 25% are over the age of 65. 60% of the population owns their own home. Dunbar has 1,033 students enrolled in Kanawha County school system. 37% of the population is married while 11% are widowed.