Grace Baptist Church (Grand Forks, ND) - Associate Pastor

The Big Picture

Grace Baptist Church in Grand Forks, ND ()is seeking an Associate Pastor who will share in carrying out God's purpose, vision and mission for His church. The purpose of Grace Baptist Church is to glorify God (1 Pet. 2:9). The vision of Grace Baptist Church is to be a community of true disciples (Col. 1:13-14). The mission of Grace Baptist Church is to advance the kingdom of God (Matt. 28:18-20). This position will be an Associate Pastor, to assist the lead pastor shepherding the church, and with particular responsibility for leading the church's Youth Ministry (Middle School and High School) and Young Adult Ministry (Post High School) with these key responsibilities:

1. Provide spiritual leadership to the church's ministries through biblically sound preaching, discipleship, and exemplifying godly character.

2. Preach and teach God's Word with the purpose of individual and corporate spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.

3. Demonstrate competency and excellence in the study of the scripture and equipping people to be disciples.

4. Provide primary oversight of youth ministry and young adult ministry. Shepherd and provide directional leadership to these ministries in cooperation with the Lead Pastor and Board of Elders.

Here are the Associate Pastoral Duties:

The associate Pastor will assist the Lead Pastor in the evaluation of the overall ministries of Grace Baptist Church in cooperation with the Board of Elders.

a. Devote time to the development of ministry opportunities and skills of the present staff and lay leadership. Consistent with our church's mission statement, this leadership requires the Associate Pastor to maintain and develop programs which reach the unsaved while equipping the church body to utilize their spiritual gifts in serving Christ.

b. Oversight of all activities, communication, and necessary coordination of ministries. Communicate with the church staff, church body, young adults, youth and their parents effectively.

c. Provide key oversight of leadership training which is in development. The Associate Pastor will be expected to take an active role in guiding those leading this training and ensuring that this training continues.

d. Provide a positive relationship with the church staff and lay leaders which is crucial to his ability to effectively coach, counsel, and direct ministries of the church. In conjunction with the Lead Pastor, the Associate Pastor is expected to create and maintain a work environment that shows mutual respect and enables staff and lay members to effectively develop and exercise their spiritual gifts. The Associate Pastor is expected to engage with all church leadership by being accessible, supportive, and available for prayer.

e. Serve as an ex-officio member of all board and committees to provide guidance and input to all boards and the church leadership in these areas: the church budget, recruitment of church staff, church policy and procedures, staff training and direction, and coordination of fiscal matters.

f. Meet regularly with the Board of Elders, Leadership Advisory Council, and other boards as invited, or as an overseer of their ministries.

Here are the Pastoral Duties in Leading the Youth and Young Adult Ministry:

The Associate Pastor's primary focus will be to provide oversight to the Youth Ministry and the Young Adult Ministry. In these ministries, he will be responsible for the following.

a. Equipping these ministries for serving Christ by providing strong Biblical teaching that instructs and challenges the church to fulfill its purpose.

b. Modeling the practice of personal evangelism and ensuring that the students and young adults are challenged and equipped to be obedient to the Great Commission. Working together with the lead pastor to give direction to these ministries to ensure the Great Commission is carried out to the local community and beyond.

1. Youth Ministry:

a) Primary teacher for the youth Sunday School (Sunday morning) and Youth Group (Wednesday evening) gatherings.

b) Recruit, equip, and shepherd adult volunteers to serve in the ministry. Ensure all volunteers are properly vetted using established church background check policies and procedures.

c) Plan and lead youth events, retreats, and mission trips

d) Form connections with local schools, youth organizations and ministries.

2. Young Adult Ministry:

a) Provide oversight and guidance to the young adult ministry leadership team.

b) Equip and disciple young adult ministry leaders.

c) Assist the young adult leadership team in planning monthly gatherings.

d) Form connections with local colleges and young adult ministries.

e) Organize Sunday morning transportation for university students.

B. Additional Duties:

a. Preach 3-5 times a year in the Lead Pastor's absence

b. Participation in the Sunday AM worship service as requested

c. Participate in staff meetings and continued development of the church's overall ministry

d. Caring for the church body will require the associate pastor be available (alongside the Lead Pastor, Elders, and Deacons) to the church family when hospital visitations and family crises requires spiritual support.

e. Counseling young adults, students, and others, consistent with the policies of the church a. If the counseling needed is professional in nature and out of the scope of one's expertise, one is expected to refer persons to the lead pastor or to a Christian Counseling Service or other qualified counselors.

f. Invest time into personal growth, to include: personal time in studying God's Word, time in prayer, time invested in marriage and family, gift development - taking in conferences that will enhance teaching and leadership gifts for the good of the church body, and development of good relationships with ministry leaders.

g. Other duties as assigned by Lead Pastor and Elders

C. Accountability:

a. The Associate Pastor shall directly report to the Lead Pastor.

b. Further accountability to the leadership of the Elders, the governance of the congregation, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

D. Required Minimum Qualifications:

a. Meets the qualifications for a pastor as listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 b. Testimony and faith in Jesus Christ. Mature and growing Christian character. Agreement with the Grace Baptist Church Statement of Faith

c. Master of Divinity degree or Master of Theology/Theological Studies degree or an equivalent degree from an accredited theological school

d. Two years of ministry experience

e. Willing to work on-site, except when duties require otherwise

E. Compensation:

a. Commensurate with education, experience, and scope of employment.

1. Include salary; benefits; paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation; professional development.

The Process

Please look over this job description and the church website. Along with your resume please answer these questions:

Why do you believe that you might be a good fit as the Associate Pastor at Grace Baptist Church?

Describe your experiences in ministry and how you may be qualified to serve as the Associate Pastor at Grace Baptist Church?

In just a few sentences please give a summary of your theology and how that is in line with the beliefs of Grace Baptist Church and the North American Baptist Conference?

Please send your resume, the answers to these questions and a link to at least one online sermon to