Associate Pastor

Acts 29; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Bay Area Chinese Bible Church in the Bay Area seeks an Associate Pastor to partner with the Interim Senior Pastor in spiritual leadership and care for a diverse, multi-generational congregation. The role involves teaching, discipleship, and collaborative ministry across language groups.

The ideal candidate is a mature evangelical leader with a solid M.Div., 5+ years of pastoral experience, and a heart for outreach within Alameda and the wider Bay Area. Multilingual skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from an accredited seminary required.
• Minimum 5 years of full-time ministry experience.
• Experience in a multi-lingual or multi-cultural church desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide spiritual guidance, pastoral care, and counseling to individuals and families.
• Collaborate with the Interim Senior Pastor to plan and implement ministry strategies.
• Work with language-specific pastors and staff to ensure unity and effective ministry.
• Regularly preach and teach God’s Word with clarity and relevance.
• Develop discipleship strategies and nurture spiritual growth in the congregation.
• Perform baptisms, weddings, funerals, and other pastoral duties as needed.

Skills

English fluency

Mandarin/Cantonese

Preaching

Leadership

Pastoral care

Discipleship

Education

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Job description

NON-DENOMINATIONAL | WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 600

Meet Bay Area Chinese Bible Church

Bay Area Chinese Bible Church (BACBC) is a vibrant and growing multi-generational, multi-lingual church committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ in the Bay Area and beyond. Grounded in the authority of God’s Word, we strive for spiritual growth, unity, and meaningful relationships within our diverse congregation and the wider community. We are seeking a passionate and collaborative Associate Pastor to faithfully minister alongside our Interim Senior Pastor and contribute to the flourishing of our church family.

About the Associate Pastor

The Associate Pastor will be a key leader at BACBC, partnering with the Interim Senior Pastor to provide spiritual leadership, care, and vision to our congregation. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dynamic ministry environment, working closely with language-specific lead pastors, ministry directors, deacons, staff, church members, and community partners. The ideal candidate will be a gifted communicator, a compassionate shepherd, and a strategic thinker with a heart for discipleship and community engagement.

The Associate Pastor’s responsibilities include:

Spiritual Leadership and Shepherding:

• Provide spiritual guidance, counseling, and pastoral care to individuals and families within the congregation.
• Exemplify Christ-centered leadership, fostering a vibrant and spiritually healthy atmosphere within the church.
• Contribute to the spiritual formation of the congregation through teaching, discipleship initiatives, and encouragement.

Ministry Development and Implementation:

• Collaborate with the Interim Senior Pastor and staff in developing and implementing strategic ministry plans aligned with the church’s mission and vision.
• Lead and participate in various aspects of church life, including worship services, teaching ministries (e.g., Sunday School, small groups), and discipleship programs.
• Identify and cultivate leaders within the congregation, empowering them for ministry.

Collaboration and Relationship Building:

• Work closely and collaboratively with the Interim Senior Pastor, language-specific lead pastors, ministry directors, and deacons to ensure unity and effective ministry execution.
• Build strong and authentic relationships with church members across different generations and language groups.
• Foster meaningful connections with other faith leaders, churches, and community organizations within Alameda and the wider Bay Area to expand the church’s impact.

Teaching and Preaching:

• Regularly preach and teach God’s Word with clarity, conviction, and relevance to the congregation.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of engaging and biblically sound worship services.

Discipleship and Spiritual Growth:

• Develop and implement strategies to foster a culture of lifelong discipleship within the church.
• Equip and encourage members to grow in their faith and live out their calling.

Other Responsibilities:

• Perform pastoral duties such as baptisms, communion, weddings, and funerals as needed.
• Participate in church meetings and committees as required.
• Undertake special projects as assigned by the Interim Senior Pastor or leadership.

What you bring

The ideal candidate will be a mature and devoted follower of Jesus Christ with a passion for serving the local church. They will possess a combination of theological depth, practical ministry experience, and strong interpersonal skills.

Education and experience

• Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from an accredited seminary is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of full-time ministry experience, preferably within an Asian American church context.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership, team building, and developing ministry initiatives.
• Experience working in a multi-lingual or multi-cultural church environment is highly desirable.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are essential. Proficiency in Mandarin or Cantonese is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills with the ability to build trust and rapport with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Gifted in preaching and teaching the Word of God with clarity, passion, and biblical accuracy.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate individuals and teams.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Sound theological understanding and a commitment to evangelical Christian doctrine (aligned with BACBC Articles of Faith).
• Ability to think strategically and contribute to vision development.
• Conflict resolution and mediation skills.

Personal characteristics and qualifications

• A committed and growing evangelical Christian whose life reflects the character of Christ and aligns with BACBC’s Articles of Faith.
• Highly regarded as a leader, teacher, counselor, and shepherd.
• Inspirational and collaborative leader with a servant’s heart.
• High emotional intelligence, empathy, and sensitivity to the needs of others.
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness.
• Thoughtful, prayerful, and deeply rooted in their faith.
• Faithful and steadfast in their commitment to serving the Lord and His church.
• Possesses discernment and sound judgment.
• Resourceful and proactive in pursuing ministry goals.
• A lifelong learner with a commitment to personal and professional development.
• Sensitive to the nuances of Asian American culture and ministry.

What it’s like to live in The Bay Area

The Bay Area is a diverse community with many Chinese people and other cultures of Asian descent, and all ethnicities. The Bay Area is in an ideal location close to San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. A relatively short drive can take you to the beach, the mountains or the lake. There are also many amusement parks, restaurants of virtually every cuisine, cultural institutions, and sporting events. You’ll get to enjoy it all year-round with San Francisco’s ideal mild climate.

You can enjoy the Bay Area all year long. The climate is generally mild and pleasant, with cool summers and mild winters. You can venture out north along the coast to Marin County for more picturesque beaches, rugged cliffs, and wildlife. Go south to Silicon Valley, the global hub for technology and innovation. Go further east for camping, winter skiing, and swoon over the incredible beauty of our renowned Yosemite National Park. There are limitless things to do and see.