Lead Teaching Pastor

Overview

The Lead Teaching Pastor, along with the other church elders in an equal and functionally diverse shared leadership structure, is to provide spiritual and pastoral leadership to the congregation of Grace Bible Church as we aim to glorify God by making more and better disciples of Him. His distinctive priority is to preach in an expository manner deriving the authority of what he preaches from God’s Word.

This preaching expounds, illustrates, and applies Scripture for the sake of lives transformed in the likeness of Christ, staying true to the meaning of the text.

The Lead Teaching Pastor is to have the heart of a shepherd (1 Peter 5:1-4), committed to protecting the flock with a fearful sense of God’s love for the church, His bride. Further, he is to be a man of God who has a deep love and zeal for the Scriptures, demonstrates a rich prayer life, has a fast reliance on the Holy Spirit, and bears the attributes of a disciplined, joyful follower of Christ.

• Confidence in God’s Call to this role (Eph 4:11; 1 Tim 3:1; Acts 20:24; 1 Cor 9:16-17)
• Competency to do this job (2 Tim 2:15; 1 Cor 12:18; 1 Tim 5:17; Rom 12:7-8)
• Character of humble growth (Phil 3:10-14; Rom 7:14-8:4; Gal 5:22-25; 1 Tim 3:1-7)
• Confirmation of the role by those he serves (Acts 6:3, 13:1-4; 1 Thess 2:4-12)
• Care-giving as a shepherd for Jesus’ flock (Jn 10:10-16; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:2-4)
• Consistency (perseverance and passion) for the task (Gal 6:9; Lk 9:51, 62; 2 Tim 4:7)
• Chemistry of unity with Elders (Jn 17:21; Rom 12:3-8; 2 Tim 1:2, 2:2; 1 Pet 5:1)

It is further expected that the Lead Teaching Pastor is:

• Ordained with recognized credentialing authority
• A seminary graduate with pastoral experience
• As a committed husband and father (if applicable)
• As responsible for management of lifestyle, schedule, and relationships and has a teachable attitude
• Willing to be accountable to the collective (complete & together) Elder Board
• Committed to personally discipling other men in small group settings and 1-on-1
• Committed to co-leadership with the Executive Pastor and co-shepherding with all Elders. We adhere to a ‘plurality of elders’ so that the Lead Teaching Pastor does not become a ‘lone ranger’.

• The Lead Teaching Pastor is automatically a member of the Elder Board upon beginning employment with Grace Bible Church (also see elder job description in by laws).
• While an equal member of the Elder Board, he is also accountable to the full collective Board when they meet in formal session. (He is not under the authority of individual members. He is their pastor and spiritual leader as with the entire congregation.)
• He is the de-facto primary staff co-leader, along with the Executive Pastor of the Church by virtue of God’s call, spiritual gifting, recognized credentials and abilities, affirmative vote by the Membership of Grace Bible Church, and significant time commitment (full-time employee).
• Direct supervision of all other staff will be defined by the Elder Board.
• The Lead Teaching Pastor must use discretion as to what information and input should be filtered to and through the entire Board for good management, unified understanding, and wise counsel.
• He shall receive a formal (written and verbal) annual review. There will also be more regular reviews throughout the year as needed. (There should not be any ‘surprises.’ That would be a sign that ongoing communication has failed.)
• The Elder Board is responsible that HR Policies are applied (such as Vacation time and Benefits). This Board also recommends Salary adjustments, usually coinciding with the Congregational Annual Business Meeting, although exceptions to timing may occur.

• Foremost:
  Expository Preaching and Teaching of the Word of God. (Preaching approximately 70% of the time on Sundays)
• Develop and disciple Preaching/Teaching team.
• Oversee ministries defined by the Elder Board
• Leadership:
  Initiative toward God’s Mission, Vision, Values, Goals, and ongoing direction.

(This will include macro-management, not micro-management. Delegation is mandatory. Partnership with the Elder Board in leadership is necessary).

• Healthy…