Executive Pastor

ENCOUNTER Church is seeking an Executive Pastor to manage and direct the implementation of the vision and values of ENCOUNTER, in partnership with the Executive Team, which includes the Lead Pastor and Executive Director. We are a dynamic and evolving contemporary church that is looking for a strong and compelling leader to help translate vision into into disciple making strategy, healthy systems, and wise financial stewardship across the church. A successful candidate will also have a heart for creating community engagement and ministering to our growing multicultural city.

The Executive Pastor will provide leadership for the church’s discipleship strategy, strengthening systems that help people grow in faith and take next steps in their spiritual formation. This leader will be Biblically trained with the ability to create ministry systems for discipleship while effectively communicating the Word of God. Both a shepherd and an implementer, this pastor will have integrity and a loving heart, coupled with the skills of an effective leader and manager. They will be a problem solver who dreams big and demonstrates creativity and boldness.

The Executive Pastor will oversee key ministry and operational leaders including Family Ministries (Children and Youth), Finance, Human Resources, Facilities, and Preschool. This pastor will provide leadership and support while ensuring alignment and synergy across ministries. This leader will also help steward the church’s campus and facilities, working with leadership to plan for future building and space needs as the church grows. The Executive Pastor will also play a key role in stewarding the church’s financial resources, working closely with the Finance team and elders to develop and oversee budgets that align with the mission and long-term sustainability of ENCOUNTER. The position includes strong administrative support.

Transforming LIVES with hope and healing through Christ.

We are a gospel-centered, intergenerational church made up of people who come from all kinds of experiences, stories, and brokenness—but, we have embraced the grace of Jesus Christ in our lives.

ENCOUNTER began as Bible Fellowship Church in Ventura in 1953. From our humble roots in a living room, to our existing campus, our goal has always been to communicate and share the grace of God locally and globally. We're a church of 662 who is defined by grace.

Our church is made up of deep relationships that are resilient through thick and thin. We are a committed and giving congregation who work hard to welcome everyone. We are a family that strives to reach others with the love and grace of Jesus.

We are committed to transforming lives with hope and healing, both locally and abroad. For us, that means we are:

Locked in on Jesus - Christ is the center of our faith. We fix our eyes on Him, the founder and perfecter of our salvation, laying aside what hinders us as we pursue Him with endurance. Jesus is both our beginning and our end. As a church, we help one another keep our focus on Him through worship, prayer, service, and discipleship, believing that when Christ is first, everything else finds its place.

Ignited by Scripture - God’s Word fuels and shapes every part of our lives and ministry. Because Scripture is God-breathed, living, and authoritative, it teaches, corrects, and equips us to live faithfully in the world. As we read, study, and apply the Bible together in worship, in our homes, and in daily devotion, we are strengthened in faith and formed into disciples who make disciples.

Victorious through Grace - We believe every part of the Christian life is sustained by the grace of Jesus Christ. God watches over us in every season, through even the darkest moments, reminding us that our victory is secured not by our strength but by His grace. Because of Christ’s finished work, we live with confidence that nothing can separate us from God’s love and that He continues transforming our lives by grace.

Engaged in our Community and World - We believe the church is called to shine the light of Christ wherever God places us. As followers of Jesus, we actively live out the gospel through love, service, and witness in our homes, neighborhoods, and among the nations. By engaging our community and world, we join God’s mission of bringing hope and healing to those who need Christ.

Shaped by the Spirit - We believe the Holy Spirit continually transforms believers into the likeness of Christ. As we behold Jesus through Scripture, prayer, and community, the Spirit forms His character within us from one degree of glory to another. This ongoing transformation empowers us to live as the light of Christ in the world.

The Executive Pastor will oversee a dedicated team of ministry and operational leaders, including Family Ministries, Finance, Human Resources, Facilities, and Preschool, while leading the church’s discipleship strategy and spiritual formation pathway. This pastor will supervise key operational functions of the church and help ensure alignment with the vision and values of ENCOUNTER. This is a full-time, exempt position that includes paid medical benefits for the employee and family. This role reports to the Lead Pastor.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Vision - the Executive Pastor will work in tandem with the Executive Team, which includes the Lead Pastor and Executive Director, to shepherd the vision of ENCOUNTER. They will serve as an implementer of that vision in collaboration with staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers.

Team Leadership - the Executive Pastor will manage a team of ministry and operational leaders to implement the vision and values of ENCOUNTER through leadership development, onboarding, and evaluation. They will serve to empower and encourage through their gifts of shepherding and leadership.

Discipleship Pathway Formation - this leader will directly own the execution of a discipleship pathway for spiritual formation. They will develop and implement ministry plans and programs to promote spiritual growth and fellowship within existing and new ministries.

Teaching - The Executive Pastor will share the teaching and preaching of God’s Word with the Lead Pastor. They will utilize excellent communication and homiletic skills to promote the gospel message and encourage spiritual growth. This pastor will also provide pastoral care to the congregation, including officiating weddings and funerals on occasion.

Operations - This leader will provide oversight to the business functions of the church including Finance and Budgeting, Human Resources, Facilities, Preschool, and IT. The Executive Pastor will work closely with the Finance team and Elders to develop, manage, and steward the annual church budget, ensuring that financial resources are aligned with ministry priorities and long-term sustainability.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Demonstrating a commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the Word of God through example and encouragement.

The ability to lead, organize, and inspire toward a common and compelling ministry mission.

Undeterred passion with a high tolerance for risk and the ability to provide robust, solutions-based leadership to a growing ministry team and congregation.

A confident but humble leader who is invested in continual learning and seeks counsel from others including the Lead Pastor and Elders.

REQUIREMENTS:

Ministry or Leadership Degree (or equivalent); Graduate Degree preferred

7+ years of team leadership experience in ministry environments

Agreement with Encounter’s Statement of Faith and Bylaws

Ventura is a simple, relaxed, comfortable, and beach-oriented community. Sitting on the edge of a national treasure, the Channel Islands, you can take day trips to several islands, hike and bike on many local trails, shop in Santa Barbara, or drive over to Ojai to explore.

Officially known as San Buenaventura, which means "city of good fortune" in Spanish, Ventura is located about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles on the California coast. Ventura has a Mediterranean climate, typical of most coastal California cities, with the sea breeze off the Pacific Ocean moderating temperatures. International airports, professional & collegiate sports, world class restaurants & shopping, amusement parks, national parks, skiing, and many other activities are at your fingertips!

Ventura is predominantly Caucasian and Hispanic with a population of 110,000 and a median age of 39 years. As the county seat, local government is a major employer, and retailer Patagonia has its corporate headquarters in the city. Other economic drivers in the county include a 17,000-person naval base, biotech leader Amgen and other tech and manufacturing, and thriving agriculture, healthcare, tourism and retail sectors. Ventura Community College is in the city, and four universities are within commuting distance. This is a fantastic, family-friendly, community and a terrific place to call home!