Pastor

Pastor Job Description

Position Title:Pastor

Department/location: [Church]

Immediate Supervisor:VP of Administration

Supervisory Responsibilities: Church Staff (paid and volunteer)

Status: Exempt (Professional)

Wage Scale: NAD Licensed/Commissioned/Ordained Minister (75–102%)

Credentials: [Missionary] License/Credential

Date:

 

 

Job Summary

The pastor is appointed by the conference to oversee the affairs of the local church or district. The pastor’s role is to provide spiritual, pastoral, evangelistic, and administrative leadership to the local church. The pastor ensures the Mission and Objectives of the WA Conference/church result in balance plans for evangelism, discipleship, nurture, fellowship, and worship and achieves this balance by ministering to each church member, the church and surrounding community.

 

Essential Functions

Spiritual Development and Leadership

• Continuously develops an intentional and personal relationship with Jesus Christ by engaging in Spirit-led Bible study and in an effective prayer life as an integral part of church life, thus creating a culture of year-round evangelism.
• Leads and nurtures individuals toward Christ by personal example and Christ-centered preaching.
• Leads, trains, and motivates members and worshippers in the practice of active discipleship through witnessing and sharing the Word of God.

 

Evangelistic Leadership

• Leads the church by example in outreach and evangelism as an integral part of church life, thus creating a culture of year-round evangelism.
• Adheres to and teaches the core fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
• Effectively educates members regarding appropriate forms of outreach to the public.
• Encourages life-style witnessing, networking, and personal evangelism that result in decisions for Christ.
• Leads out in and trains others to conduct personal Bible studies and small group discipleship.

 

Pastoral Leadership

• Practices the essence of pastoral care through intentional visitation and personal interaction.
• Unites the church through a ministry of reconciliation, restoration, instruction, affirmation, and challenge
• Encourages the identification, application, and development of each person’s spiritual gifts.
• Promotes and encourages faithfulness of all members in stewardship of their time, talents, and financial resources.

 

Administrative Leadership

• Administers the business of the church in cooperation with lay leadership and promotes planning and the achievement of agreed upon goals.
• Communicates and upholds clearly the purpose, goals, and plans of the church using sensitivity and vision.
• Responds to communication from the WA Conference in a timely manner.
• Attends and actively participates in all required pastor’s meetings and Camp Meeting assignments.
• Supports and represents the mission of the World Church at its various organizational levels.
• Actively supports church programs and initiatives of the conference and the corporate church.

• For churches with a constituent school, serves as an active member of the school board and cooperates with the school staff in agreed upon ways of ministering to the students and their families.

• Works with the WA Conference HR Department to ensure the church is in compliance with HR matters, including, but not limited to, locally funded hiring/terminating processes; display federal/state labor law posters, worker’s compensation reporting, nondiscrimination practices, maintaining an environment free of harassment, etc.
• Ensures that volunteers who work with children are properly screened and receive required child protection and anti-sexual harassment training.

 

Core Performance Indicators

• Consistently models and reflects a vibrant relationship with Jesus.
• Consistently preaches Bible-based and Christ-centered sermons that are balanced and relevant.
• Demonstrates passion for evangelism and empowering people to effective witnessing.
• Facilitates the smooth day-to-day functions and services of the church.
• Relates well to individuals both within and outside the church.
• Provides excellent pastoral care for the worshippers either personally or through coordination of the pastoral care team.
• Consistently reflects the mission and values of the Church.
• Consistently demonstrates sound judgment in decision making.
• Demonstrates tact, uncompromising principal, grace, and impartiality when dealing with difficult situations that may require discipline.
• Leads by example regarding strong work habits, time management and attendance.
• Competently meets all specifications of the job description.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Education:
  • Minimum BA in Theology or Religious Studies. M.Div. preferred.
• Membership in a local, Washington Conference church
• A Seventh-day Adventist member in good standing who has extensive knowledge of the practices and beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist church.
• Must be willing to contribute tithes and offerings to the local church.
• Competencies (skills and personal characteristics that an individual should possess to be successful in this position)
• Service Orientation – actively look for ways to help people—members and non-members—of the church and community.
• Instructing – Teaching others how to use their spiritual gifts, passions and talents.
• Speaking/preaching – The ability to publicly talk to others to convey information effectively.
• Planning/organizing – Ability to cast a vision, create short- and long-term strategic plans and carry them out, and oversee events.
• Analytical – Able to think through issues.
• Problem solving – Ability to hear all sides of an issue and come to a collaborative conclusion.
• Job motivation/initiative – Ability to work alone and stay on track, meeting deadlines.
• Time management – Ability to assess priorities.
• Technology – Ability to easily use relevant technology to support the job functions.

 

Typical Physical Demands

Must be able to read, speak, and hear. Must possess clear, effective verbal and written communication skills. While performing the duties of this job, the pastor is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, walk, bend, kneel, and lift. The pastor may frequently be required to use stairs. The pastor may occasionally lift and carry items weighing 25 pounds or more for short distances. Must be able to drive and operate a vehicle.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

This position requires great flexibility in hours available for work, including evenings, weekends and holidays. The position is a full time, salaried position. The number of hours required during any given week are those needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. Furthermore, it is recognized that the schedule may vary at different times of the year. Pastors are expected to speak each Sabbath in their church(es), with no more than ten Sabbaths away from their districts annually. This would include Camp Meeting, vacation, and outside speaking appointments. Pastors are encouraged to select one day each week as their day off.

All employees are expected to uphold the values of the Washington Conference and the Seventh-day Adventist church. The pastor is not nominated or elected by the church but appointed by the conference at the conference’s discretion. Employees are missionaries, demonstrating a desire and a commitment to sharing the love of Christ. Every act should be a way to witness.

Please Note: The statements found in this job description are meant to describe the overall general nature and level of the work performed by an employee functioning in this position. The tasks, duties, responsibilities, functions, skills, talents, etc. outlined in the description is not an exhaustive list and should not be construed as such. Washington Conference Administration reserves the right to modify this job description as/when needed to fulfill the mission of the Conference.

Acknowledgments

I have fully read and understand my job description. I intend to perform the duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability and will seek guidance and clarification from the VP of Administration if I have questions. I know of no reason that I should not be able to fully comply with the tasks and duties, including physical demands, as outlined in this job description.

 

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Signature Date