Associate Pastor Full Time

Leonardtown Baptist Church (LBC) is prayerfully seeking our next Associate Pastor—a Christ-centered, servant-hearted leader who will partner with our elders to shepherd God’s people.

Who We Are
LBC is a unified, loving, gospel-driven, biblically faithful church committed to expositional preaching, discipleship, and missions. We joyfully align with the Pillar Network and 9Marks, holding a high view of Scripture, church membership, biblical eldership, and Kingdom-minded cooperation. We have 272 covenant members and average 259 in weekly attendance. Discover more about LBC at lbcmd.org.

Our Community
Leonardtown, Maryland, is a charming and historic town in the heart of St. Mary’s County, offering a close-knit community feel with access to a variety of amenities. Nestled in Southern Maryland, the area is known for its scenic beauty, rich history, and welcoming atmosphere.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy abundant recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, and waterfront parks along the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River. St. Mary’s River State Park, Point Lookout State Park, and the numerous marinas provide ample opportunities for adventure and relaxation.
Families will find strong educational options, including quality public schools within the St. Mary’s County Public Schools system, as well as private and homeschool-friendly communities. The College of Southern Maryland offers local higher education opportunities, and several universities have satellite campuses in the region.
Leonardtown also has a strong connection to Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS Pax River), a key economic and cultural hub for the area. Many residents, including church members, are active-duty military, veterans, or civilian contractors. The town’s proximity to the base fosters a sense of patriotism and service-mindedness, values that resonate within our church family.
With its blend of small-town charm, modern conveniences, and access to major metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Leonardtown is a wonderful place to live, serve, and grow in ministry.

A Unique Opportunity
Our Senior Pastor is in the process of becoming a Navy Reserve Chaplain, which means our Associate Pastor will play a crucial leadership role when the Senior Pastor is away for training, reserve duty, or (potentially) deployment.
 
What This Means for the Associate Pastor
 
– Regular Commitment: The Senior Pastor’s Navy Reserve commitment includes two days a month and two weeks a year. Sunday coverage will be planned well in advance and shared among the elders and the future Associate Pastor.
– Potential Deployment: Beginning in late 2026 or early 2027, there is a possibility of a 6-9 month deployment. During this time, the Associate Pastor would take on day-to-day church operations, pastoral oversight, and increased preaching responsibilities.
– Team Leadership: The Associate Pastor will not lead alone. LBC has a strong team of elders, and in the event of a deployment, the church is prepared to hire an interim Associate Pastor to provide additional support.
 
This is a unique opportunity for a proven leader who desires to shepherd a local church while also supporting a Senior Pastor who serves both the congregation and our nation’s military personnel.

Who We’re Looking For
We desire an Associate Pastor who exemplifies the following:

Personnel Qualifications
– A Christian man and role model, who meets the biblical qualifications of a pastor as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4
– Agrees with the doctrine and teachings of the Baptist Faith and Message (2000)
– Passionate about evangelism, regularly sharing his faith and discipling others
– Clearly called to shepherd and lead the local church
– Demonstrates a growing relationship with Christ through personal devotion, prayer, and study of God’s Word

Alignment
– Pillar Network and 9Marks

Attitude
– A servant-hearted leader with a deep love for God’s people
– A true shepherd with a burden to see the church flourish spiritually
– Flexible and adaptable to the needs of ministry
– Able to maintain a cohesive, team-oriented relationship with staff and pastors
– Enjoys having fun at work while maintaining a spirit of excellence

Ability & Experience
– Biblical Knowledge & Application:
– Deep understanding and application of Scripture in his work and relationships
– Ability to counsel using biblical-based techniques

Preaching & Teaching:
– Expositional preaching experience
– Strong teaching ability for discipleship ministries

Leadership & Mentoring:
– Experience in mentoring, equipping, and leading believers
– Ability to lead staff and church ministries when needed
– Experience providing administrative oversight for various church ministries

Preferred Education & Training:
– Strong preference for candidates holding a Master of Divinity (or equivalent) degree
Theological training must be consistent with evangelical and Baptist doctrine

Responsibilities

Staff Elder Role
As a Staff Elder, the Associate Pastor’s responsibilities include:
– Preaching approximately six to eight times per year (with flexibility to preach more in the Senior Pastor’s absence)
– Attending and participating in leadership meetings:
– Weekly meeting with the Senior Pastor
– Monthly elders’ meetings
– 4 times/year Church Council meetings
– 4 times/year Members’ Meetings
– Collaboration with the Senior Pastor on all matters related to leading the church and caring for its members

Miscellaneous pastoral duties:
– Conduct membership interviews
– Perform weddings and funerals as requested
– Teach Discover LBC class periodically
– Oversee staff in the Senior Pastor’s absence
– Perform other duties as assigned
Ministry Oversight
The Associate Pastor oversees various church ministries, working alongside deacons and ministry leaders to develop a vision, teach, plan programs and events, and manage resources (finances, volunteers, materials, etc.).
Key Areas of Ministry Oversight (with flexibility to potentially swap an area or two with the Senior Pastor or a lay elder)
– Young Adults & Senior Adults Ministries
– Adult Bible Fellowships (ABFs) (aka Sunday School)
– Men’s & Women’s Ministries
– Guest Services, Church Safety, & Member Care
– Church Fellowship & Event Coordination
– Biblical Counseling Ministry 

How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following:
– Résumé with at least three references
– Three Sermon samples (video preferred)
– Send application materials to [email protected]

We are excited to see how God will lead in this process and look forward to welcoming the next Associate Pastor to our church family!

Résumés will be received through March 31, 2025.

Salary & Housing Range – $65,000 – $85,000 (commensurate with experience) + benefits (10% employer retirement contribution, health insurance coverage for the family, $1,000 allowance toward Life and Disability insurance, Social Security employer-side salary offset for ministers who are not opted out)