Pastor Full Time

PASTOR

JOB DESCRIPTION

1 Peter 5:2, 3

1 Timothy 4:11-12

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Titus 1:5-9

Ⅰ. General Qualifications

There are five essential qualities that must be present in a person who desires to be an under-shepherd for Christ, our great shepherd in whom all our needs will be met. These are:

A.           Diligence: “being faithful to invest whatever gifts God has given us to maximize our impact for Him”; (Matt.25:22-23, 2 Pet 1:5).

B.           Stability: “the ability to stay with a work over the “long haul‟, the ability to stay put when the going gets tough”; (l Cor.15:58, Isa 33:6).

C.           Vision: Foresight and insight, “looking beyond the negatives to see the positives that only God could see”; (John 18:15-27; 21:15:19)

D.           Integrity: “God must be the first priority and being true to Him and His Word”. (1 Timothy 4:12, Pvb 11:3)

E.           Conviction: “Being true to God’s Word and Holy Spirit no matter the cost.” (Act 6:8, Acts 7, 1 Cor 4:1, 2)

Ⅱ. Specific Qualifications

A.           Have commitment and personal loyalty to Christ. (Matt 16:24, Mark 10:21)

B.           Accepted God’s call into pastoral ministry and being ordained as such; having been examined, to prove according to the qualifications of a Pastor in scripture, that he is qualified. (I Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, I Tim. 5:22)

C.           Have a heart to see the body come to know Christ better personally and spiritually. (2 Cor 13:10, Col 1:28)

D.           Be able to delegate duties and training ministry leaders where needed for these duties. (Acts 6:2-4, 1 Ths 5:27)

E.           Possess organizational and administration abilities. (1 Tim 5:17, 2 Cor 9:12)

F.            Be able to respond to changing needs throughout the life of the Church (Rom 14:14-18, Gal 4:20)

G.           Mature understanding of the scriptures. (2 Tim 2:15, 2 Pet 1:8)

H.           Bachelor’s degree preferred or similar experience. (Act 6:3, Rom 5:4)

I.             Experience with pastorate duties in other roles. (2 Pet 3:18, Eph 4:15)

Ⅲ. General Responsibilities

A.           Prayer – the pastor has a vital role to plan in praying for the church people and their families, and for the various ministry activities and the leaders involved. The pastor also has a responsibility in terms of his own spiritual development, prayer, devotions, and relationship with God. (James 5:16, Col 4: 1,2)

B.           Discipleship and Evangelism – Primary goal of church ministry is to go into all the world with the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ (Matt.28:18-20; Acts 1:8), and to develop people as mature Christians who can effectively use their spiritual gifts for the edification of the body (Eph. 4-12-13:2; Tim.2:2).

C.           Responsibility to the church – the pastor is accountable to the authority of God as his first and foremost responsibility (Heb. 13:17) and secondarily he is accountable to the Church for all he does. (I Tim. 5:19)

Ⅳ. Primary Responsibilities

A.           Pastoral Duties

a.           Pray for the church, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. “ (James 5:16, Acts 6:4)

b.            Ensure that the doctrine being taught is in compliance with God’s Word as revealed by the Holy Spirit. (I Peter 5:2, II Tim. 4:1-5)

c.            Oversee visitation and outreach, participating when time permits. (I Cor. 11:1)

d.           Direct and watch over the various church ministries (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5, I Peter 5:2)

e.            Provide or direct to biblical counseling where needed. (II Tim. 3:16-17, Tit 1:13)

f.             Extending biblical knowledge by attending conferences, taking classes, and praying. (Phil. 3:12-14, Ecc. 12:12, 13)

g.            Submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading in bringing sermons and ensuring that all worship services are worthy of the Master. (I Cor. 2:4, Col 1:28)

h.           Preside over wedding, funeral and similar functions within the Pastor’s and church’s policy as led by the Holy Spirit after appropriate biblical counseling. (Rom. 13:14, Eph. 4:27)

B.           Administration Duties – Support, assist, and oversee the following:

a.           Acts as chief executive and administrative officer of the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in keeping with the Word of God; seeking counsel from Church leaders such as staff, deacons and ministry leaders as needed. (Heb. 13:7, 17, 1 Pet. 5:5)

b.            Benevolence – Making final decisions as to whether to give aid. (Acts 4:32-35, 1 Cor. 12:25)

c.            Attend scheduled deacon meetings.

d.           Acts as ex-officio of all committees.

C.           Supervision:

a.           Reports to God first and then Leadership Team as they represent the congregation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Note: The above duties are not intended to be an all-inclusive list nor a list with sole responsibility. Our ministry at Lake Junaluska First Baptist Church is a team ministry. Therefore, delegation is expected, and additional duties may be assigned from time to time as emergencies and other situations dictate.

Paul said it best in I Corinthians 9:19 & 22 KJV

“For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”