Pastor

CHURCH PROFILE

Founded in 1807, West Oneonta Baptist Church is a historic church that has faithfully served the community for over 200 years. In the grace of God the church has founded other churches in the area. Over the years people have come and gone and the building has been expanded, but our mission has remained constant: to serve and glorify God in our community.

In the course of the years we have experienced high points of growth and low points of decline, and then growth again. We have learned to trust in the Lord and pray for help and guidance at all times. In the past we have had various ministries: a nursery school, a food pantry, a Spanish service, and a New Commandment men’s ministry.

For a time we also employed a part time youth pastor to assist the pastor. These ministries have ended for various reasons.

In the wake of the pandemic, we are emerging from a period of decline; at times we struggle to have enough people for the ministries that we desire—but God is ever faithful to us in filling the needs of our current ministries. On Sunday mornings we meet for worship, followed by men’s, women’s and children’s Sunday School classes. (Adult classes combine in the summer months.)

The women meet monthly in a women’s ministry, “Called Together.” The men have men’s breakfasts for fellowship and often, a work day.

Several Bible study groups meet during the week. We conduct an annual Women’s and an annual Men’s Conference, attended by believers and guests from the area.

Wednesday evening we have (1) a well-attended Bible study and prayer meeting, (2) AWANA program during the school year and (3) our teen group. We conduct our Vacation Bible School the week after the school year ends. We have children’s Sunday School and children’s church Sunday mornings. We do not currently have a teen class for Sunday School.

Our church is located in a community where cultic groups meet nearby—the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Mormons, and Spirit and Truth Assembly, a group that denies the Trinity. So West Oneonta Baptist holds forth the good news of Jesus in a community that needs the gospel. We are now served by an Interim Pastor, and, after a Venture Church Network assessment, have adopted a new constitution and by-laws.

New elders and deacons will be chosen at our annual meeting in October.

Our congregation is small; we average 40-45 in attendance, many of whom are in their retirement years. The fellowship is warm; love in the church is palpable. The believers are committed to one another. We praise God for the people he has led to us, and we are determined to continue to seek God’s blessing to use our church to reach more people in our community with the gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we at West Oneonta Baptist Church (WOBC) search for our next pastor we must consider that we are all limited by our skills, time and experiences. Our next pastor will be likewise limited and cannot serve the church to the detriment of his walk with God, no matter the perceived need. We will be looking for someone who, first and foremost, prioritizes his own personal relationship with God, seeing this as crucial to the success of all that he endeavors to do.

All other responsibilities will be fulfilled as he is able, whether done personally, delegated, or outsourced to other capable parties, either internal or external to WOBC.

We expect that our next pastor will be an avid student of the Word of God which he will present boldly, with clarity and applicability, and encourage the congregation to apply God’s Word in their daily lives. He should be able to conduct and coordinate the Sunday service(s) in conjunction with the worship team. He will also work with the Elders to lead WOBC in its mission to its members and the surrounding community by: identifying spiritual giftedness in its members;

assisting in the development of their gifts; identifying and cultivating future spiritual leaders; delegating responsibilities among gifted individuals/teams; exhorting, motivating, and leading WOBC in reaching out with the gospel of Jesus Christ to the local community.

Our next pastor should also love and enjoy people,…