Senior Pastor

Overview

The Senior Pastor serves as the spiritual leader of the congregation, providing biblical preaching, pastoral care, and administrative oversight in accordance with Southern Baptist beliefs. The Pastor equips the church for ministry, encourages spiritual growth, and leads the congregation in fulfilling the Great Commission.

• Preach and teach the Word of God with accuracy, clarity, and relevance.
• Lead the congregation in worship, prayer, discipleship, and spiritual formation. Standard weekly services include Sunday morning and night and Wednesday Bible study.
• Provide pastoral care, counseling, and visitation for members and families.
• Oversee and support church staff, deacons, and ministry leaders. Supervise church operations to ensure alignment with Scripture and church policies.
• Administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper in accordance with Baptist doctrine.
• Equip and encourage members to share their faith and participate in local and global missions.
• Oversee special events, and community outreach ministries. Participate in community events, organizations, and activities that advance the mission and goals of the church.
• Foster relationships with local pastors in a spirit of cooperation and unity.

• A clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and a call to pastoral ministry.
• Ordination and doctrinal alignment with the Southern Baptist Convention.
• A degree or progress toward a degree from an accredited seminary (Master of Divinity preferred).
• Strong leadership, communication, and relational skills.
• Proven experience in preaching, teaching, and pastoral care.
• Commitment to the authority of Scripture and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.

• Exhibits integrity, humility, and a servant’s heart.
• Lives according to the biblical qualifications for pastors (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9).
• Relates well to people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Committed to prayer, evangelism, and spiritual growth.

Reports to the congregation through the Deacon Body as outlined in the church constitution and bylaws.

• Salary and benefits determined by the Personnel and Finance Committees and approved by the congregation.
• Includes housing allowance, vacation, and other benefits according to church policy.

This description provides a general overview of responsibilities and expectations; duties may be adjusted based on the needs and direction of the church.

First Baptist Church of Swannanoa | Swannanoa, NC

Situated in the small valley town of Swannanoa, North Carolina, stands First Baptist Church of Swannanoa (FBCS), a mid-size Southern Baptist Church with a history of faithfully serving the Swannanoa Valley for over 140 years. Sundays begin with Sunday School and Small Groups, followed by a worship service, attended by approximately 150 people. We have a Family Life Center which includes a commercial kitchen, classrooms, and a gymnasium, which converts into a large dining area or multi‑use space.

The lower levels of the building house the children and youth spaces. Missions opportunities are continuing to expand after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene on September 27th, 2024, including our Blessing Boutique ministry, which distributes food, necessities, and clothes from our clothes closet for those in need, partnering with North Carolina Baptists to operate a dental bus for teeth cleaning and pulling, participating in Operation Christmas child, and housing Baptist on Mission disaster relief volunteers.

We also share our facility with Iglesias de Restauracion Jesucristo, a Spanish‑speaking church that offers two services per week.

We exist to know the one and only true God and make Him known; to proclaim to all people the good news that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation; to magnify God through the preaching and teaching of the Holy Bible; to promote individual and collective divine worship; to provide opportunities for training, service, fellowship, and Christian growth; to administer the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper;

to care for the physical and spiritual needs of…