General Description:
The Senior Pastor will be an individual called by God to serve as the spiritual leader of Stovall Methodist Church, providing faithful biblical preaching, compassionate pastoral care, and guidance for the church’s ministries. The Senior Pastor will proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and teach biblical truth in a way that clearly communicates its relevance to daily life and decision-making. The Senior Pastor must provide visionary, Spirit-led leadership that encourages the congregation to grow in faith and live out the church’s mission.

This is a part-time position, ideal for someone who is called to shepherd a small, rural congregation and who demonstrates an authentic Christian lifestyle—in both word and action.

Detailed Description:
Senior Pastor Roles
Preacher/Teacher: The principal communicator of God’s Word, in public worship and in biblical instruction (Acts 6:4; II Timothy 4:1; Titus 1:9)
Shepherd: Models the heart of the Chief Shepherd and ensures that the church is well led, cared for and protected (Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-4)
Equipper: Partners with other leaders to empower and equip members for significant service and ministry by discovering, developing, and deploying their spiritual gifts; ensures that the Church is growing to maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4:11-14; II Timothy 2:2)
Elder/Overseer: The principal leader, vision caster, and shepherd of the church (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, I Peter 5:1-4)
Evangelist: Models the practice of personal evangelism and ensures that the church is challenged and equipped to be obedient to the Great Commission (II Timothy 4:5; Matthew 28:19)

Senior Pastor Responsibilities
Effectively proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and lead the congregation in support of ongoing Bible teaching and discipleship ministries.
Work with church leadership to clearly set forth vision, mission, goals and service opportunities which members can understand and support.
Equip, educate, and edify the church, leading members to embrace and to exercise their God-given gifts to build up the body of Christ and to make disciples both locally and globally.
Collaborate with church leadership to prayerfully develop and adopt a Christ-centered, biblically based constitution and bylaws to support the church’s long-term structure and mission.
Exercise biblical authority in matters of governance and discipline as set forth in the constitution and bylaws (to be developed and adopted).
Model and mentor others in an authentic Christian lifestyle and witness.
Participate in the planning of worship services and events and equip staff and lay leaders to successfully coordinate those services and events.
Prepare and deliver weekly sermons grounded in Scripture.
Lead Sunday worship services in collaboration with volunteers.
Facilitate a weekly mid-week Bible study.
Provide pastoral care, including spiritual counseling, hospital and home visits, and support during times of grief or crisis, as time permits.
Officiate weddings, funerals, and other special services as needed.
Partner with elders and lay leaders in care ministries and community outreach.
Oversee and lead (includes delegation of tasks) community outreach ministries and events.
Oversee staff development and ensure that ministerial staff have the resources necessary to fulfill their duties and responsibilities.
Encourage spiritual growth and discipleship among church members.
Work with church leadership to guide the mission and vision of the church in a way that honors Christ and serves the local community.
Support church programs and events (Vacation Bible School, Easter Festival, Faith Festival).
Attend and contribute to church council meetings, when needed.
Maintain healthy communication with church committees and leaders.
Effectively plan, prioritize, and manage schedule, balancing Senior Pastor job duties with family and other responsibilities in a healthy and God-honoring way.

Qualifications:
Called of God and set apart to the gospel of ministry, with a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ, and evidence of a life led by the Holy Spirit.
Qualified to minister to the church as required in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
A love for the local church.
Ability to teach and preach biblically-sound, Christ-centered messages.
Committed to living and serving in a manner consistent with the standards set forth in Scripture.
Demonstrates godly character, compassion for others, and strong leadership skills.
A minimum of a four-year Bible college degree from an accredited institution is preferred.
Formal or informal ministry experience is preferred, with a demonstrated history of faithfulness to Christ and effectiveness in pastoral ministry.
Ordination is preferred but not required.

In addition to the qualifications listed above, the ideal candidate is a person deeply motivated and sustained by a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a clear, unwavering sense of God’s call to pastoral ministry. This person demonstrates a genuine love for God, a deep compassion for people, and a passion for sharing the gospel with others. This individual is an effective communicator, a self-motivated and disciplined leader, and someone who finds joy in mentoring and partnering with fellow believers. The pastor relates well to people from all walks of life, embodies Christlike compassion for the hurting, and remains steadfast in a personal commitment to the truth and authority of Scripture.

Typical Time Commitments May Include:
• Sunday worship leadership and preparation
• Mid-week Bible study
• Pastoral care and communication
• Leadership meetings and church council participation
• Support for outreach and special services (as needed)

While the role of Senior Pastor is both meaningful and demanding, he will not be expected to carry out every responsibility alone. The pastor is expected to communicate regularly and proactively with church leadership, identifying opportunities for shared ministry and encouraging the involvement of others in accordance with their God-given gifts and callings. Through mentoring, training, and collaboration, the pastor will foster a healthy, team-oriented approach to ministry that supports their leadership and the spiritual growth of the congregation.