Senior Pastor

OVERVIEW

Good Hope Baptist Church, a contemporary Southern Baptist congregation in rural Upstate South Carolina, is seeking a dynamic senior pastor to lead our church with conviction, vision, and humility.  The ideal candidate is a servant leader, knowledgeable in God's word, and a shepherd for our church. GHBC believes God’s word as revealed in the Bible and affirms the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 while upholding the belief in the free and universal offer of salvation through Jesus Christ to all who call on his name.

RESPONSIBILITIES

    1.Spiritual Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership that aligns with God’s Word as well as the church's mission, vision, and goals
• Lead, by example, the disciplined Christian life exhibited by an exemplary attitude, vibrant personal devotional life, personal evangelism, and love for Jesus
• Deliver inspiring and Biblically truthful sermons to nurture the spiritual growth of the congregation
• Foster a culture of evangelism, prayer, discipleship, and worship within the community
• Undergird the simple purposes of Good Hope in all things: Worship, Connect and Serve
• Diligent in prayer, sensitive to input from leaders and congregation, deliberate and thoughtful regarding change in the church

2. Pastoral Care

• Offer compassionate pastoral care to individuals and families in times of joy, sorrow, and crisis
• Conduct counseling sessions and pastoral ministry visits, wedding ceremonies, baptisms, and funeral services
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with all church members through regular visitations, counseling, and support (including homebound and nursing home members)
• A humble leader who relates well with others

3. Church Administration

• Serve as the spiritual leader and administrative overseer of all the ministries at GHBC
• Plan and conduct worship services: developing sermons, planning with music leadership and leading in the observance of ordinances
• Shall work with the church staff, church committees and church organizations in implementing the assigned responsibilities and carry out the mission and purpose of the church
• Oversee, along with the Deacons, all church discipline and conflict management issues in the church
• Provide guidance in the planning and execution of church programs, events, and activities
• Develop, in concert with the Finance Team, the annual church budget.

4. Community Engagement

• Actively engage with the local community to understand its needs and develop outreach programs
• Plant deep roots through intentional relationships and family participation in the activities at GHBC
• Cooperate with associational, state and denominational leaders in matters of mutual interest and concern

5. Teaching and Education

• Operate as church’s primary Bible teacher and preacher, responsible for the regular Bible teaching ministry of the church
• Oversee and contribute to educational programs, including Bible studies, children’s and youth ministries, Sunday School, and discipleship classes
• Equip and empower leaders within the church for effective ministry.
• Effective communicator (written and spoken)

REQUIREMENTS

• Meets biblical qualifications of pastor: 1 Tim 3:1-7, Titus1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4
• Clear sense of calling to pastoral ministry
• Master of Divinity degree strongly preferred
• Spiritually mature and ordained by a church body with a strong commitment to the Baptist faith 
• Demonstrate experience in pastoral ministry, including preaching, counseling, and leadership
• Understanding of and willingness to minister within the church’s statement of beliefs
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This position is full-time and salaried
• Shall serve alongside of and be accountable to the Deacon body
• Shall follow the employment policies set forth by the church under the direction of the Personnel Committee

PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS

Plan, coordinate, conduct, supervise, and promote the total ministry of the church

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit their resume, a cover letter, and a statement of faith to apply@goodhopeiva.org  by October 31, 2024. Please include "Senior Pastor Application" in the subject line.