Senior Pastor

PURPOSE

The Senior Pastor is called by the congregation of Lakeview Baptist Church to serve as pastor, primary preacher and teacher, and spiritual leader. His primary responsibility is the faithful preaching and teaching of the Word of God. He shall shepherd the congregation, equip believers for ministry, provide leadership to the church staff, and lead the church in fulfilling its mission and the Great Commission. The Senior Pastor serves as a shepherd and servant under the authority of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, and in accordance with Scripture, the Constitution and Bylaws of Lakeview Baptist Church, and the authority of the congregation. Formal theological education from a doctrinally compatible institution is strongly preferred, together with demonstrated pastoral, preaching, teaching, and leadership experience. Seven years Senior Pastor experience is preferred.

AUTHORITY

The Senior Pastor shall fulfill the pastoral office as a servant of Christ and His church and seek to be the pastor of the whole congregation. He shall faithfully teach Scripture without presenting personal preference or opinion as the authoritative Word of God; shepherd the congregation with patience, grace, and love; work cooperatively with church leaders, teams, and staff; conduct his personal and ministry affairs, including financial matters, with integrity; receive appropriate counsel and constructive criticism with humility; and pursue reconciliation and biblical unity when disagreements arise. He shall recognize that Lakeview Baptist Church is composed of imperfect people who need grace, forgiveness, spiritual growth, and pastoral care and shall seek to love and shepherd them without favoritism.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As preacher and spiritual leader, the Pastor shall: Give priority to prayer, biblical study, sermon preparation, preaching, and teaching. Serve as the primary preacher and teacher of Lakeview Baptist Church. Faithfully explain and apply Scripture, proclaim the gospel, provide direction for the church's teaching ministry, and guard the congregation against doctrinal error. Maintain membership in Lakeview Baptist Church and participate faithfully in its worship and ministry. Maintain appropriate confidentiality. Conduct himself with integrity, continue growing as a preacher, teacher, pastor, and leader. As staff administrator, the Pastor shall: Be called by and accountable to the congregation of Lakeview Baptist Church and shall serve in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws and established personnel policies of the church. Provide pastoral leadership to the church staff, communicate ministry priorities, encourage cooperation, and provide day-to-day supervision in accordance with church policies. Provide spiritual leadership in planning for the ministry and future of Lakeview Baptist Church and work cooperatively with the Deacon Fellowship, Church Life Council, Personnel Team, Finance Team, and other church ministries, respecting the responsibilities and authority assigned by the congregation to each. Make time for prayer, biblical study, family, rest, and spiritual renewal. The church shall respect the Senior Pastor's need for study and sermon preparation, vacation, and continuing education and shall encourage the sharing of ministry responsibilities among qualified staff and church leaders. As counselor and caregiver, the Pastor shall: Shepherd the congregation through prayer, pastoral care, biblical counsel, visitation as appropriate, and ministry during significant events in the lives of members. Provide pastoral leadership for baptism, the Lord's Supper, weddings, and funerals. As teacher and trainer, the Pastor shall: Equip others for ministry rather than attempting to perform every ministry himself and shall encourage the church in fulfilling the Great Commission locally, nationally, and internationally. Exercise leadership through Scripture, teaching, example, prayer, service, encouragement, and the development of others rather than personal control. Promote biblical discipleship, evangelism, missions, and the development of teachers and ministry leaders. Pastoral care and ministry responsibilities shall be shared with staff, the Deacon Fellowship, and qualified church leaders. As denominational leader, the Pastor shall: Maintain appropriate relationships with the local Baptist association, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, the Southern Baptist Convention, and other trusted ministry partners and should seek counsel, training, or assistance from these resources when such assistance would benefit the church.

MINISTERIAL STAFF JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Meet the biblical qualifications of a pastor found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Demonstrate a clear calling to pastoral ministry, a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, spiritual maturity, integrity, and a life consistent with the gospel. Uphold the inspiration, inerrancy, sufficiency, and authority of Scripture. Affirm and teach in agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, recognizing that Lakeview Baptist Church is non-creedal and holds the Bible alone as its final authority for faith and practice. Support the Constitution and Bylaws and doctrinal convictions of Lakeview Baptist Church. Affirm a biblical understanding of salvation consistent with the doctrinal convictions of Lakeview Baptist Church, including God's genuine offer of salvation to all people and every person's responsibility to respond to the gospel through repentance and faith. Will not teach or promote Calvinistic or Reformed soteriology inconsistent with the doctrinal convictions and evangelistic ministry of Lakeview Baptist Church. #J-18808-Ljbffr Southern Baptists of Texas Convention