Vacant Pulpit – First Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church (1st G Church), Louisville, Kentucky (Deadline: August 31, 2019)

PASTORAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Application Period August 1, 2019 – August 31, 2019

The First Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church (1^st G Church) membership is prayerfully seeking a full-time Senior Pastor called by God who has the following qualifications, experience, characteristics and attributes to effectively preach and teach God’s Word. The Senior Pastor is to be responsible for the Biblical and Spiritual obligations as outlined in 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, as well as a man after God’s own Heart (1 Samuel 13:14). The Senior Pastor is to be a born again baptized believer in Jesus Christ and can fulfill the spiritual needs of the 1^st G Church congregation. The Senior Pastor is to be accountable, first and foremost to GOD and HIS WORD, secondly to his Family, the 1^st G Joint Council, and the membership of 1^st G Church.  The Senior Pastor is to be a visionary with strong leadership and communication skills who preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ, teaches sound Biblical/National Baptist doctrine, engages in Christian growth and development, promotes missions at home and abroad, and pursues the Great Commission as outlined in Matthew 28.

1st G Church has been in existence since 1910 with a diverse, predominantly African American membership. On January 26, 2019, our pastor of 35 years, Dr. T. Vaughn Walker transitioned home to be with the Lord. God has proven faithful throughout the history of 1^st G Church. May He continue to lead and direct us as we move, in His name, into a new era.  WE BELIEVE in and stand on the Holy Bible as the revealed and inspired Word of God; The Lord’s perfect revelation to humankind. WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the only way to salvation. WE BELIEVE in a Triune God (Father, Son [Jesus Christ], and Holy Spirit) as the one and only true God. WE BELIEVE that all believers are called and spiritually gifted for ministry service for the present age. The local church is a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ who work in covenant relationship under the headship of Jesus and led by a Senior Pastor as overseer and under shepherd.

Senior Pastor Job Description

 Responsibilities and Functions:

Leading. — In consultation with God and in collaboration with the Leadership of 1^st G Church, the Senior Pastor will establish the vision annually for this body of believers.  The Senior Pastor will lead and develop the ministerial staff in equipping the congregation to fulfill the Great Commission and accomplish the vision and purpose of this church. The Senior Pastor will provide leadership, direction and operational support to the ministry and ministries of the church.

Administering. — The Senior Pastor will administer and oversee the ministerial staff of the church. The Senior Pastor will administer the policies and procedures of the church.

Ministering. — The Senior Pastor will use his spiritual gifts to edify and build this local body of believers. The Senior Pastor will provide appropriate pastoral care to members of the church and the community and will equip the members of the ministerial staff and the deacon body to do the same.

Communicating. — The Senior Pastor will preach and teach the Bible, believing that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. The Senior Pastor will communicate the vision for the ministry that God gives to this congregation.

Qualifications:

• Licensed and ordained preacher of the gospel with five years’ ministry experience.
• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university.

(Degree from an accredited Seminary in Biblical Studies, Divinity, or Theology preferred).

• Expository preaching/teaching style
• Husband of one wife or wife of one husband.
• Evidence of effective administration, leadership, and communication skills-verbal/written.
• Ability to work with a diverse congregation across all races, genders, and ages.
• Evidence of effective engagement in larger local, state, and national community.
• Committed to continuing education, personal development, and convention participation.
• Staff and volunteer development and coaching.
• Financial awareness and responsibility.
• A visionary with sound judgment and discernment.
• Not convicted of a criminal offense.
• Other administrative duties.

Please submit a candidate package consisting of the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Current Resume
• Ordination Certificate
• Copy of College Degree(s)
• 2 Preaching Sermon DVDs/video links
• 2 Teaching Bible Study DVDs/video links

IMPORTANT NOTE – PLEASE READ PRIOR TO SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS:

Documents may not be submitted independently of each other and any missing information will result in automatic disqualification.

Selected candidates will be notified and asked to provide additional information later in the selection process.  In addition, final candidates must also submit to a reference check, a criminal history background check, and a credit and financial history review (preformed through an outside agency for complete confidentiality).  The Pastoral Search Committee will treat any and all information confidentially.

All documents may be submitted by mail or via email to:

First Gethsemane Baptist Church
Attn:  Pastoral Search Committee
P.O. Box 21432
Louisville KY 40221

pastoralsearch@1stgchurch.org

Mailed documents must be postmarked by August 31, 2019.  Emailed documents must be received no later than 11:59 p.m., August 31, 2019.

All applicants will receive a receipt confirmation email within 14 business days.