Lead Pastor Southwest Harbor Congregational Church

Key Responsibilities

• Shepherding and Spiritual Leadership
  • Serve as a shepherd to the congregation, providing spiritual oversight in partnership with the other elders.
  • Model Christ-centered living with humility, integrity, and faithfulness.
  • Encourage spiritual growth, unity, and discipleship within the church body.
• Preaching and Teaching (Primary Responsibility)
  • Faithfully preach and teach the whole canon of Scripture exegetically and not topically, with clarity, accuracy, and application.
  • Lead and contribute to the church’s teaching ministry, including Sunday services, classes, and small groups.
  • Equip members to grow in biblical understanding and spiritual maturity.
• Worship Leadership
  • Plan and lead worship services in collaboration with ministry leaders.
  • Ensure services are Christ-centered, biblically grounded, and spiritually edifying.
  • Administer the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.
• Pastoral Care and Counseling
  • Provide pastoral care through visitation, prayer, counseling, and support during times of need.
  • Officiate weddings, funerals, and other pastoral services.
  • Offer guidance with wisdom, compassion, and confidentiality.
• Evangelism and Discipleship
  • Promote and support a culture of evangelism and disciple-making.
  • Equip and encourage the congregation to live out the Great Commission in their daily lives.
• Leadership and Church Governance
  • Serve as a Teaching Elder within an elder-led governance model.
  • Collaborate with the Board of Elders in providing spiritual leadership, direction, and oversight of church ministries.
  • Work alongside deacons, ministry leaders, and ministry teams to ensure effective coordination and alignment with the church’s mission.

• Spiritual and Character Qualifications
  • Manifest a clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and a growing, vibrant relationship with Him.
  • Demonstrate biblical qualifications of an elder (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9).
  • Exhibit integrity, humility, and a servant‑leadership mindset.
  • Committed to the Church’s statement of faith and biblical authority.
• Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in theology, ministry, or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum of 5 years of pastoral or ministry experience.
  • Licensed and ordained (or willing to become ordained within a specified timeframe).
• Core Competencies
  • Strong biblical preaching and teaching ability.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Leadership and team collaboration skills.
  • Ability to disciple, mentor, and develop others.
  • Organizational awareness and sound stewardship of church resources.

• Exercise self‑awareness regarding the burdens and demands of ministry and establish healthy boundaries, rhythms of Sabbath and rest, and personal care practices that support long‑term spiritual, emotional, and vocational sustainability.
• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing spiritual and professional growth.
• Engage actively in the life of the congregation and local community.
• Administer The Lord’s Supper weekly when present.
• Preach regularly throughout the year, normally covering approximately 48.

Sundays annually, accounting for four weeks of vacation. Up to six Sundays may be used for developing other qualified men in preaching ministry. The pastor is also expected to preach during major holiday services such as Christmas and Easter unless otherwise approved.