Lead Pastor

Lead Pastor Search

As our Lead Pastor prepares for retirement in 2027, a unique ministry opportunity and potential calling of a lifetime await in beautiful South Florida. If God has prepared you to shepherd and lead an established Southern Baptist church with an average attendance of approximately 500, we invite you to prayerfully consider this opportunity.

Located in one of the most vibrant and diverse regions of the country, South Florida is truly where the world comes to America. Our community reflects a rich blend of cultures and backgrounds, creating a dynamic mission field. If you are seeking a lead pastorate in a conservative Southern Baptist church consistent with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, this may be the place where God is calling you to serve.

Connect Church is dedicated to faithful, text-driven Bible teaching and preaching. We utilize LifeWay’s Explore the Bible curriculum, providing a systematic approach to teaching through the entire Bible over a nine-year cycle. We are also blessed with thriving preschool, children, and student ministries which continue to attract and engage young families.

Our 14-acre campus is strategically located on a major thoroughfare and includes 31,000 square feet of ministry facilities. The worship center accommodates 450 attendees per service, and the church operates with an annual budget of approximately $2 million, supporting local and global missions, benevolence ministries, and ongoing facility development.

Connect Church is supported by a committed Elder Council and a dedicated ministry staff. With strong leadership, healthy ministries, and significant growth potential, we believe the future is bright for the next pastor God calls to lead our congregation.

If you sense the Lord’s leading and would like to begin a conversation, please submit your résumé along with links to several recent sermons to:

We look forward to hearing how God has been preparing you for His next assignment.

Job Description

Lead Pastor of Connect Church

Coordinates with: Elder Council

Position Status: Full-time

Salary and Benefits: Commensurate with market, skills, and experience

Overview

Connect Church is a theologically and socially conservative Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) congregation. The Lead Pastor serves as the primary shepherd, preacher, and spiritual leader of the church. This role provides biblical leadership, pastoral care, and vision, while working in partnership with the Elder Council and Ministry Staff to ensure the church fulfills its mission of “Glorifying God by connecting people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.”

Qualifications

• Clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and evidence of a vibrant, Spirit-filled walk with the Lord and demonstrating an undeniable pastoral gifting for leadership ministry.

• Ordained as a pastor with affirmation of calling consistent with 1 Timothy 3:1–7 & Titus 1:5–9.

• Full agreement with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 and committed to SBC distinctives.

• Preferred 3–5 years of experience as Lead Pastor of a growing church of 500 or more in average weekly attendance. (will consider an Associate Pastor with an exceptional gift of preaching/teaching)

• Master of Divinity or higher from an accredited SBC or like-minded evangelical seminary preferred.

• Proven ability to preach biblical text-driven sermons coupled with high level people skills flowing from a heart engaged in shepherding a large congregation and reaching the community.

• Demonstrated experience partnering with Elders (or Deacons), leading staff, and equipping leaders in building consensus resulting in accomplishment.

• Family abstains from all alcoholic beverages and addictive substances.

• Bonuses:

o Familiar with South Florida culture.

o Bilingual in English and Spanish.

o Possess moderate to advanced organizational skills with a track record of building teams, completing projects, and leading a successful building campaign.

Core Competencies

• Biblical Preaching: Demonstrates strong ability to stay faithful to the Biblical text and apply God’s Word in a clear relevant way.

• Spiritual Leadership: Shepherds with humility, prayerfulness, and Christlike example.

• Vision Casting: Leads the church toward biblical mission with clarity and conviction.

• Relational Shepherding: Builds strong relationships, offering pastoral care, wise counsel, encouragement, and accountability.

• Organizational Oversight: Provides wisdom in managing staff, ministries, and resources.

Key Responsibilities

Preaching & Teaching

• Faithfully preach and teach the Word of God with sound doctrine, rooted in the authority of Scripture and in agreement with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000.

• Provide clear, Christ-centered, expository (text driven) preaching that equips the church for spiritual growth and gospel witness.

• Guard the church to ensure SBC distinctives and theological integrity remain central.

Leadership & Vision

• Serve as the President of the Elder Council, Chairman of the Board, and Church Moderator while leading the Ministry Staff to prayerfully discern, develop, and implement God’s direction for the church consistent with the core values, strategy, constitution, and bylaws.

• Lead the congregation in prayerfully fulfilling the Great Commission through evangelism, discipleship, giving, service, and missions.

• Model servant leadership, setting a Christlike example in character, family life, and ministry.

Pastoral Care & Discipleship

• Provide shepherding care to Ministry Partners (members), including counseling, visitation, weddings, funerals, and baptisms.

• Equip and mobilize Ministry Partners for ministry through discipleship pathways, Connection Groups, and leadership development.

• Foster a culture of prayer, worship, and unity within the congregation.

Staff & Ministry Oversight

• Lead, supervise, and encourage Pastoral Staff and Ministry Leaders in alignment with the church’s mission of “Glorifying God by connecting people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.”

• Ensure ministries are coordinated, effective, and biblically faithful.

• Work with Elders and Staff to provide oversight of church life, including ordinances, membership, and discipline. Administration & Stewardship

• Embrace partnership with Elder Council, and leadership of Ministry Staff and finance leaders, to steward church resources well.

• Participate in developing and overseeing the annual budget to ensure financial health and mission effectiveness.

• Oversee church operations in the effective use of facilities and technology in support of ministry.

To apply for this job email your details to View email address on jobs.sbc.net