Senior Pastor - Journey Church (Marshalltown, IA)

Job Description

Job Description

Journey Church (Marshalltown, IA) Senior Pastor

THE BIG PICTURE

Journey Church ( is prayerfully seeking a man called by God to serve as our next Senior Pastor. This role provides spiritual leadership through faithful preaching, teaching, and pastoral care while advancing the Mission and Vision of Journey Church. The Senior Pastor must meet the biblical qualifications of an elder and model humility, integrity, compassion, and a shepherd’s heart.

Journey Church is an elder-led congregation where the Senior Pastor serves alongside the elders in prayerful, collaborative leadership. We are seeking a relational and intentional leader who communicates clearly with people at all stages of faith and faithfully proclaims God’s Word as the ultimate authority through sound, expository, and exegetical teaching.

The Candidate

The Senior Pastor will inspire and equip the congregation for meaningful local and global gospel impact, encouraging the church to live out and share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Key Responsibilities:

· Communicating God’s Word with conviction and doctrinal integrity, paired with practical application.

· Collaborate with the elders to cast and execute Spirit-directed vision with clarity and conviction

· Work in partnership with the elders to align sermons with the overall vision and teaching plan

· Equip, train, and mentor staff and volunteers in spiritual and personal growth

· Assist the elders with pastoral care of our members

Personal/Professional Characteristics and Qualifications

[Apart from the clear Biblical qualifications 1 Timothy 4:12b-16]

• Biblical Qualification : Demonstrate a life that reflects the biblical qualifications for an elder (1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)
  
• Leadership Skills : Shepherd the body as one of a plurality of elders, providing vision-casting and spiritual guidance while working alongside peers on the Elder Board; servant-leader who displays humility, integrity, and love for God and people
  
• Spiritual Maturity : Vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus Christ, shown by a life of prayer, integrity, and humility
  
• Education : Formal theological training preferred; ideally Master of Divinity or equivalent education and experience
  
• Experience: Preferred 8 years’ experience in a similar position
  
• Communication : Clear desire to seek God’s will and vision for the church, coupled with the ability to communicate that vision and lead through change with humility, wisdom, discernment, and courage
  
• Community Relations: Communication and outreach skills that foster meaningful connections with both the Journey Church family and the surrounding community and churches
  
• Relational Discipleship : Cultivate a vibrant culture of discipleship, prayer, and joyful worship, empowering members to serve using their unique gifts; committed to multi-generational ministry and small group culture; bold, generous leader who builds and sends disciples; faith-filled disciple with a Kingdom perspective.
  
• Personal Growth : Engaged in a consistent prayer life and diligent study of the Scripture
  

The Church

Journey Church is a midsized Christ-centered, biblically grounded congregation pursuing God by sharing, connecting, and serving through faithful teaching and everyday living. We are firmly rooted in the authority of God’s Word and seek to be shaped and transformed by Scripture in all areas of life.

With more than 162 years of history, Journey Church has deep roots in the Marshalltown community. We are a non-denominational church with a Baptist background, offering contemporary worship that is purposeful and reverent. Our elder-led leadership model emphasizes prayerful oversight, spiritual accountability, and shared leadership supported by ministry teams.

We are a generous and family-focused church with a strong commitment to the next generation. Journey Church offers thriving children’s and youth ministries, including Sunday programs, AWANA, and an active youth group. Our debt-free, well-maintained facilities support worship, ministry, and community outreach, positioning us to advance the gospel and serve our community for generations to come.

The Community

Located in the heart of Iowa, Marshalltown is a welcoming and family-oriented community of more than 27,000 residents that blends small-town charm with Midwest flair. Known for its affordability, diversity, and strong employment base, Marshalltown offers an exceptional quality of life for individuals and families alike. With a median home value of approximately $146,000 (Zillow, May 2023) and an estimated annual cost of living of $33,613, the community remains one of the most accessible places to call home.

Marshalltown is home to a diverse population, with 57.6% identifying as White, 31.3% Hispanic, 5.3% Asian, 2.6% Black, 0.8% Native American/Other, and 2.5% Multiracial. The surrounding area includes nearly 57,000 residents, yet fewer than 14% regularly attend an evangelical church—presenting a meaningful opportunity for gospel ministry and outreach.

The city offers excellent public schools, a private K–8 Christian school, a community college, a YMCA, an aquatic center, miles of walking and biking trails, a modern library, and a new hospital. Community life is enriched by annual events such as the Central Iowa Fair, Oktemberfest, the Harvest Market, and the Holiday Stroll.

Conveniently located just 50 miles northeast of Des Moines, Marshalltown provides easy access to Iowa’s capital and is within a half-day drive of major Midwest cities, including Chicago, Minneapolis, and Kansas City. While the county has its own municipal airport, Des Moines International Airport offers additional travel options. Marshalltown is a growing, resilient community with a bright future and a genuine need for strong, gospel-centered leadership.

The Compensation

Total Package: $90,000 - $110,000

The Process

Please look over this job description and the church website. Along with your resume please answer these questions:

Why do you believe that you might be a good fit as the Senior Pastor at Journey Church?

Describe your experiences in ministry and how you may be qualified to serve as the Senior Pastor at Journey Church?

In just a few sentences please give a summary of your theology and how that is in line with the doctrine of Journey Church?