Senior Pastor

St. Luke's Lutheran Church | Garfield, Minnesota St. Luke's Lutheran Church is seeking a Senior Pastorto proclaim the Gospel, faithfully lead worship and Word and Sacrament ministry, and shepherd this congregation as we live out the Great Commission in the Alexandria Lakes community. THE OPPORTUNITY Located in the Alexandria Lakes area of west central Minnesota, St. Luke's is a Lutheran congregation grounded in Scripture and shaped by a heritage of faithful worship. We are praying for a pastor who will lead us deeper into God's Word, faithfully into worship, and outward into our community with the hope of Jesus Christ. THE PASTOR WE ARE PRAYING FOR A faithful preacher and teacher of God's Word who loves the people of God, leads worship with reverence, and shepherds the congregation in mission and outreach. Someone committed to the Great Commission who will walk alongside us as we share the Good News with our neighbors. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Preach and Teach the Word.Provide Bible-centered preaching and teaching that is theologically sound, faithful, and applicable to everyday life. Lead Worship and the Sacraments.Lead weekly worship with reverence and theological depth, administer the Sacraments, and work with worship staff and musicians to engage people of all ages. Shepherd the Congregation.Provide pastoral care and spiritual guidance. Officiate at weddings and funerals with theological depth and pastoral sensitivity at key moments in the lives of members and the wider community. Make Disciples.Lead the congregation in growing as followers of Christ through Bible study, small groups, and spiritual formation for all ages and life stages. Reach the Community.Lead the congregation in carrying out the Great Commission, sharing the Gospel with neighbors not yet connected to Christ, and welcoming newcomers into the life of St. Luke's. Equip Leaders.Identify, encourage, and develop the spiritual gifts of staff, lay leaders, and members for ministry inside and outside the church. Communicate and Connect.Use technology, social media, and digital platforms wisely to tell the story of God's work at St. Luke's and extend the reach of the Gospel. Lead Faithfully.Partner with the leadership team in goal-setting, stewardship, budgeting, and healthy ministry systems. QUALIFICATIONS Required Master of Divinity, or equivalent theological training acceptable to the LCMC Minimum three years of pastoral ministry experience Strong, Bible-centered preaching and teaching Experience in community outreach and sharing the Gospel Experience in discipleship, Bible study, and spiritual formation Experience leading worship that engages people of all ages Preferred Experience leading a congregation in revitalization or following a long-tenured pastor Experience developing lay leaders and equipping members for ministry Experience using digital tools for ministry and outreach SPIRITUAL GIFTS PROFILE The ideal candidate will demonstrate a combination of these gifts. Not every candidate will hold this exact mix, and other gifts are not discounted. DOMINANT GIFTS Apostleship:a heart for sharing the Gospel and reaching new people with Christ Leadership:guiding the congregation in shared mission and ministry Teaching:communicating God's Word with clarity and faithfulness Administration:ordering ministry and stewarding resources faithfully Evangelism:sharing the Gospel naturally and equipping others to do the same Mercy and Compassion:a heart for those who are hurting and for the wider community SUBORDINATE GIFTS Apostleship:a heart for sharing the Gospel and reaching new people with Christ Leadership:guiding the congregation in shared mission and ministry Teaching:communicating God's Word with clarity and faithfulness Administration:ordering ministry and stewarding resources faithfully Evangelism:sharing the Gospel naturally and equipping others to do the same Mercy and Compassion:a heart for those who are hurting and for the wider community #J-18808-Ljbffr