Senior Pastor

CommUNITY Church of Salem, VA seeks its next Senior Pastor

CommUNITY Church is committed to glorifying God and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ as our priority and is the foundation of our existence. God has blessed us for more than 20 years with amazing growth, multiple locations, and countless lives transformed as followers of Jesus Christ. With the departure of our founding Senior Pastor, we are currently seeking the man whom God is calling and preparing to uphold our mission, shepherd our congregation, and lead us into the future with enthusiasm, wisdom and grace.

Position Summary

The Senior Pastor will serve as the primary spiritual leader and shepherd of CommUNITY Church, providing sound biblical teaching, visionary leadership, and pastoral care. The Senior Pastor has overall responsibility for church operations, and will work alongside church staff, deacons, and the congregation to equip believers, foster spiritual growth, and advance the mission of our church both locally and globally. The Senior Pastor is expected to support and adhere to the Baptist Faith and Message and is accountable to the deacons and church leadership.

The Ideal Candidate

Character Traits

Ø Passionate follower of Jesus Christ with a deep, personal relationship with God.

Ø Biblically Grounded- committed to sound doctrine (1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9). Capable of leading with theological depth.

Ø Integrity & Humility- leads with honesty, transparency, and a servant’s heart.

Ø Caring & Shepherding- a leader who nurtures, counsels, and prays for the congregation.

Ø Outward-Focused- passionate about outreach, evangelism, and making a difference in the community.

Gifts and Skills

Ø Strong Leader & Team Builder- able to equip, delegate, and empower staff and volunteers.

Ø Relational & Perceptive- connects well with people across all age groups and backgrounds.

Ø Clear Spiritual Communicator- effectively teaches and preaches God’s word with clarity and conviction (2 Tim. 4:2).

Ø Visionary Leader- actively casts a compelling vision for our church’s future.

Personality and Leadership

Ø Approachable & Relational- engages with people personally, not just from the pulpit. Has an open-door policy for staff members and the congregation.

Ø Visible & Present- actively involved in church life and ministries.

Ø Trust-Based Leadership- sets clear expectations while empowering and trusting others to lead.

Ø Decisive Yet Collaborative- makes tough decisions with wisdom, while listening and valuing input. Fosters and defend the church’s strong stand on unity among church leaders and within our congregation.

Ø Vulnerable & Authentic- willing to share personal struggles and his faith journey.

Education and Experience

Ø A master’s degree or doctoral degree from seminary preferred.

Ø Significant experience in pastoral leadership (minimum 5 years) including preaching, vision casting, and discipleship.

Ø Preferred minimum of 3 years’ experience in managing all operations of a similar size church.

Ø Is ordained, with pastoral experience in an SBC or non-denominational bible-based church.

Ø Has a strong background in ministry leadership while remaining open to growth and change.

Ø Able to steward church’s resources responsibly, ensuring financial growth and organizational health.

Ø Experience in connecting with young adults while maintaining wisdom and grace for all demographics.

Key Challenges & Opportunities

Ø Change Leadership – Guides the church through transition while honoring its legacy.

Ø Building Trust – Gain the trust of the staff, volunteers, and the congregation in a time of leadership change.

Ø Navigating Expectations – Balances respect for tradition with a vision for the future.

Ø Outreach & Growth – Helps bring in new people while fostering deep discipleship. Encouraging outreach and evangelism in an ever-changing cultural landscape.

Compensation

A benefits package will be offered. The Pastor’s salary and benefits package will be determined based on experience, education, cost of living and salaries of Pastors in churches of comparable size in the area. The package includes salary (paid monthly) with a self-designated housing percentage, retirement benefits, insurance, ministry expense reimbursement and vacation time.

How To Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following:

A cover letter sharing your testimony and sense of calling to pastoral ministry.
A resume with references detailing your experience and qualifications.
Links to recent sermons (if available).
Please send to our Pastor Search Team at [email protected] with subject line: Senior Pastor Position – [Your Name] or mail to CommUNITY Church, Attn: Pastor Search Team at 1923 East Main Street, Salem VA 24153.

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