Senior Pastor

The Big Picture

Living Hope Church is seeking a Lead Pastor who will serve as both a shepherd and a church planter – leading a relaunch of Living Hope Church into a vibrant, multiplying, Spirit‑led community of people transformed by the Gospel. This role is for a pastor who loves people deeply, preaches the Word faithfully, leads with humility, and carries a passion to see lives changed by Jesus in the everyday stuff of life.

The position is part‑time to start, with potential for growth as the church grows.

Mission: to put on display the living hope of Jesus in the everyday stuff of life. Vision: to be a multiplying community of people transformed by the Gospel, devoted to God’s Word, committed in community, and relentless in prayer. Living Hope exists to love the hurting, the lonely, the divorced, and families who long for connection – people who often feel left out of larger churches – seeking to be a simple, caring, forward‑thinking community of hope in Springfield.

• Part time to start (approx. 20–25 hours/week), with required Sundays and a flexible weekday schedule – hours may increase as the church grows
• Preach biblically faithful, Gospel‑centered sermons and lead worship gatherings with volunteers and the Holy Spirit’s direction
• Administer the ordinances (baptism, communion) and perform weddings and funerals
• Rebuild and relaunch the church by re‑engaging current members, reaching new families, and fostering a renewed sense of mission
• Provide pastoral care through visiting, counseling, and encouragement; lead discipleship through small groups, mentoring, and teaching
• Cultivate a culture of prayer, worship, and Scripture‑rooted discipleship, fostering unity and relational connection in the church body
• Partner with the Local Core Team and True Hope Collister to set direction and goals, ensuring alignment with mission, vision, and values
• Oversee operations (finances, facilities, communications) with integrity, and manage administrative responsibilities such as scheduling, bank accounts, and insurance
• Develop and empower volunteer leaders – forming disciples who make disciples
• Lead the church to live missionally in Springfield – serving the community, building bridges with local churches, ministries, and civic organizations, and encouraging the church to live out B.L.E.S.S. rhythms (Begin with prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, Share)
• Reports to the Local Core Team of Living Hope Church

• A clear sense of calling to pastoral and missional ministry, with a mature and growing faith in Jesus Christ
• Meets the biblical qualifications for pastoral leadership (1 Timothy 3; Titus
  1)
• Committed to prayer, Scripture, and the spiritual well‑being of others – Jesus‑focused, Spirit‑led, and devoted to Gospel transformation
• Proven experience in preaching, teaching, and pastoral care, with the ability to lead small congregations or church plants
• Familiarity with church operations and volunteer development; experience engaging people outside the church
• A humble, servant‑hearted leader – emotionally and relationally mature, flexible and innovative in a church‑planting environment
• Financially stable, viewing the role as a calling rather than a career
• Bachelor’s degree in ministry, theology, or a related field preferred (M.Div. preferred but not required); competency with basic administrative tools (Quick Books, planning tools, etc.)

• Part‑time salary (supplemental), commensurate with experience
• Ministry expense budget and mileage reimbursement as available