Section 4: Senior Pastor

  • The senior pastor is an elder who is set aside vocationally as one who is given to teaching and direction (1 Timothy 5:17).

    1. Upon the vacancy of senior pastor, the Executive Team will identify, interview and evaluate possible candidates from within the existing Church body (e.g., pastoral staff, ministry leaders, interns, etc.).

    2. If no qualified candidates are available internally, the non-staff members of the Executive Team shall serve as the core of a search committee, but not constitute a majority of it, and will designate additional committee members.

    3. The search committee will seek applicants, interview and recommend candidates to the Executive Team for their review and approval.

    4. The Executive Team will unanimously recommend the call of a candidate to the Church at a special business meeting, called for that purpose.

    5. The Church will extend a call to the senior pastor after the terms of the call have been specified and affirmed by a 75% vote of members present and voting.

    1. The senior pastor shall meet all the qualifications for the office of elder listed above.

    2. He shall be an ordained minister, preferably Conservative Baptist.

    3. He shall be well-trained to be a leader and teacher of this local Church.

    4. He shall be a member, or shall be qualified to become a member of the Church and will do so upon his selection.

    1. He shall work with and share all responsibilities of the Executive Team.

    2. He shall be primarily responsible to oversee the preaching ministry of the Church.

    3. He shall shepherd and lead the Church in the fulfillment of the Great Commission and obedience to the Great Commandment.

    4. He shall be a full member of the Executive Team.

    5. He shall oversee the supervision of all other pastors and non-congregation specific paid staff.

    1. The senior pastor is called by the Church for an undefined period of time. The call and terms of the call shall be in writing and shall be agreed upon by the Executive Team and the candidate before the call is extended.

    2. Thirty (30) days written notice on the part of the Church or the senior pastor shall precede a severance of relations between the Church and the senior pastor, unless waived or adjusted by mutual consent.

    3. The Executive Team will accept the resignation of the senior pastor and/or will establish appropriate terms of severance.