Lead Pastor​/Head

Hope Church is seeking a spiritually mature, theologically grounded, and visionary Lead Pastor/Head of Staff to shepherd our vibrant congregation.

• Cover Letter:
  Introduce yourself and share your sense of call, ministry philosophy, and why you feel drawn to Hope Church and this position.
• Résumé:
  Include your education, ministry experience, and relevant leadership or community involvement.
• Links to Sermons:
  Include three different audio or video sermon links, preferably with one from a traditional and one from a contemporary worship context, if available.

Preaching and Teaching

• Leads others to know and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior—the only answer in life—with clarity and conviction that lead to transformation in daily living.
• Preaches with theological depth, personal authenticity, and cultural awareness, showing how Scripture speaks to real life and the challenges of our time.
• Communicates biblical truth through sound theology, compelling stories, and practical application that inspire everyday faith.
• Guides the congregation to live as followers of Jesus at home, at work, and in the world.
• Cultivates biblical literacy and spiritual formation across all ages.
• Administers the sacraments faithfully as visible signs of God’s grace.
• Integrates Hope’s preferred future—Deeper with Jesus, Wider in the Kingdom, and Closer in Community—into preaching and teaching that form both heart and practice.
• Addresses contemporary issues with courage, compassion, and gospel-centered hope.
• Creates comprehensive preaching plans that ensure quality and consistency of sermons and worship services.
• Collaborates with pastoral and ministerial staff to oversee the spiritual guidance, counseling, and pastoral care for the congregation.

Leadership Development and Ministry Oversight

• Serves as Head of Staff and Moderator of Session.
• Leads as both spiritual shepherd and organizational leader, guiding Hope Church through prayerful discernment, healthy systems, and collaborative ministry.
• Partners with session and staff to set direction, align ministries, and foster a culture of trust, clarity, and shared mission.
• Ensures the development of a leadership pipeline that equips and empowers staff and lay leaders to exercise their gifts in alignment with Hope's mission and ECO's polity of shared ministry.
• Practices Christ-centered, emotionally intelligent leadership that builds healthy relationships and inspires confidence.
• Engages in regular coaching conversations and ministry reviews with the Executive Director of Operations, Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Executive Director of Next Gen Ministries that promote growth, accountability and alignment across the staff team.
• Practices shared leadership and welcomes mutual accountability with the session, consistent with ECO polity.
• Participates actively in an ECO Pastoral Covenant Group and maintains healthy spiritual rhythms and personal Sabbath.
• Participates in Presbytery.

Vision and Strategic Growth

• Leads Hope into a dynamic, and gospel-centered future—a visionary who helps imagine what’s next, build what’s needed, and guide Hope into a future that reflects God’s kingdom in all its fullness.
• Casts a comprehensive, Spirit-led vision that welcomes all generations, backgrounds, and ethnicities.
• Encourages creativity and innovation in worship, outreach, and ministry that connect across generations and cultures.
• Collaborates with staff to engage and equip young adults and families, helping them find belonging, purpose, and leadership opportunities.
• Partners with session, and staff to discern God’s direction and develop strategic plans that deepen spiritual life and extend community reach.
• Aligns people, resources, and ministries to love God, love people, and follow Jesus into the places He’s already at work.

• Ordained in ECO — A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians or willing to transfer credentials.
• Master of Divinity or higher.
• Affirms the Essential Tenets of ECO — A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.
• Minimum five years of pastoral experience as a Lead Pastor, or Associate Pastor in a church of similar or larger size.
• Experience in…