Senior Pastor

LLOYD'S REGISTER INTERNATIONAL; St Albans; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Five weeks annual leave

Non-contributory pension

Book allowance and conferences

Job summary

Ridgeway Church St Albans seeks a full-time Senior Pastor to lead the eldership, shepherd the congregation and serve as a CIO trustee. The role focuses on faithful preaching, discipling and equipping members, with a vision for gospel growth in St Albans.

The successful candidate will meet biblical qualifications, have 3+ years in local church ministry, and align with FIEC Doctrinal Basis. DBS check and housing are provided; closing date 20 September 2026.

Qualifications

• The Senior Pastor must meet biblical overseer qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) and live out gospel truth.
• Minimum of 3 years local church ministry experience and proven expository preaching gifts.
• Full assent to FIEC Doctrinal Basis and Ridgeway Church's Doctrinal Distinctives; right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Preaching & Teaching: lead Sunday preaching (3 per month) and bi-monthly evening service; oversee mid-week Bible study.
• Prayer & Discipleship: lead prayer gatherings; foster a culture of prayer and one-to-one discipleship.
• Pastoral Care & Leadership: co-lead pastoral care with elders; chair meetings; supervise Church Administrator.
• Ministry Oversight: support and oversee youth, men’s and women’s groups; equip leaders.
• External Gospel Partnership: network with evangelical churches in the local area.

Skills

Character & integrity

Expository preaching

Pastoral leadership

Right to work in UK

Education

Formal evangelical theological training

Job description

Senior Pastor

Ridgeway Church St Albans

Ridgeway Church was planted in 2008 out of Spicer Street Church (St Albans) and is a warm, vibrant, and diverse congregation of around 85 adult members meeting weekly in a local school. We are a multicultural, multi-generational fellowship with a deep love for God's Word and a passion for reaching our local community. We are Baptist in church practice (while accommodating infant baptism upon a member's conscience/request) and hold to complementarian oversight, led by a team of pastoral and non-pastoral elders. We are committed to believing, living and passing on the good news of Jesus.
We are seeking a full-time Senior Pastor to lead our eldership team, shepherd our congregation, and serve as a Trustee of our Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
The primary focus of this role is the faithful preaching of Scripture, discipling and equipping members for ministry, and with a vision for gospel growth in St Albans.Key Responsibilities
Preaching & Teaching:
Lead the Sunday morning preaching ministry (typically 3 Sundays per month), and the bi-monthly Sunday evening service. Oversee the mid-week home group Bible study programme.
Prayer & Discipleship:
Together with the elders lead bi-monthly church prayer gatherings; foster a culture of prayer in the fellowship in the form of prayer triplets and one-to-one discipleship; equip members to use and develop their gifts.
Pastoral Care & Leadership:
Lead pastoral care alongside the elders, chair the Elders' and Church Business Meetings as appropriate, and line-manage the Church Administrator (and Assistant Pastor, when applicable).
Ministry Oversight:
Support and oversee church ministry teams (including youth, men's, and women's groups), equipping and supporting team leaders.
External Gospel Partnership:
Network and collaborate with like-minded evangelical churches in the local area.

Required Skills

Personal & Biblical Character:
The Senior Pastor will meet the biblical qualifications of an overseer set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9:
Above reproach, gentle, self-controlled, trustworthy, and hospitable. A man who manages his family well and is held in high regard by others. A deep love for the Lord and His church, holding firmly to gospel truth, to encourage others in sound doctrine.
Experience & Convictions:
A minimum of 3 years of local church ministry experience. A recognised and proven gift for expository preaching and teaching God's Word.
Formal evangelical theological training is preferred.
Full assent to the FIEC Doctrinal Basis and Ethical Statements, as well as Ridgeway Church's Doctrinal Distinctives.
Right to work in the UK.

Closing Date: 20th September 2026
Initial Interviews: from October 2026 (this will include being invited to preach at Ridgeway Church and meeting the church family)

DBS: An Enhanced DBS check will be required prior to appointment.
Housing: A 3-bedroom semi-detached house in St Albans is provided for the sole use of the pastor.
Benefits: Five weeks annual leave; non-contributory pension; expenses which includes book allowance and conferences.

This job has been listed by an FIEC Church. We are a family of more than 600 independent local churches with a heart to see the gospel of Jesus making a difference through our nation.