Lead Pastor

Vanderbloemen; Bismarck (ND); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Century Baptist Church in Bismarck, ND, seeks a Lead Pastor to provide spiritual leadership, vision casting, and oversight of all church ministries within a faith‑driven community committed to Biblical teaching, worship, and local and global outreach.

The candidate should hold a seminary degree (MDiv preferred), be an expository preacher, and demonstrate proven ability to mentor staff and lead a multi‑pastoral team toward discipleship and ongoing growth.

Qualifications

• Seminary degree (MDiv highly preferred).
• Expository preacher, able to relate Scripture to life application, inspiring congregants to live faithful Christian lives.
• Effective communicator, relating to staff and congregants with clarity and compassion.
• Discipleship focus, leading others to be disciples who make disciples.
• Experience in a multi-pastoral staff team.
• Experience leading a large or growing congregation.

Responsibilities

• Spiritual Leadership & Vision Casting: Serve as the primary spiritual shepherd, guiding ministries to align with the church’s mission.
• Preaching & Teaching: Act as the primary preaching and teaching pastor, delivering biblically faithful sermons.
• Leadership Development: Mentor ministry staff and elders, fostering leadership development across ministries.
• Organizational Leadership & Administration: Oversee direction and coordination of church ministries; collaborate with Elder Board and staff.
• Denominational & Community Involvement: Engage with North American Baptist Conference and North Central Association.
• Administrative Expectations: Maintain office hours and participate in regular evaluation with the Elders.

Skills

Expository preaching

Effective communication

Discipleship focus

Multi-pastoral team

Congregation leadership

Education

Seminary degree

Job description

North American Baptist Conference

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 538

Meet Century Baptist Church

Century Baptist Church in Bismarck, ND, is a dynamic community deeply committed to faith and service since 1977. Rooted in Baptist traditions, this warm-hearted church welcomes all who walk in the front doors. The church offers a nurturing environment for spiritual growth through engaging worship services and verse-by-verse Biblical teaching. The church places a special emphasis on children’s ministry, investing in children’s spiritual wellness from birth through high school. Their Community Life Groups ( ranging from College/Career to Senior) foster a strong sense of fellowship and community built on the Word. At Century Baptist Church, global and local outreach is a core element of our identity, highlighted by a commitment to direct ten percent of all giving to mission ministries. With a legacy spanning a half century, Century Baptist Church continues to make a positive impact on both its members and the broader community through service and partnering with local and global missions. Join us in this journey of faith, learning, and togetherness.

About the Lead Pastor

The Lead Pastor provides overall leadership, spiritual direction, and oversight to fulfill the vision and ministry purposes of Century Baptist Church. This role requires complete reliance on God the Father, Jesus Christ our Savior, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as revealed through the inerrant Word of God.

The Lead Pastor’s responsibilities include:

Spiritual Leadership & Vision Casting

• Serve as the primary spiritual shepherd of the church, overseeing the spiritual health and growth of the congregation.
• Lead as the chief vision caster, aligning all ministries with the church’s mission and values.
• Lead and guide staff, shepherding their professional and spiritual growth.
• Pray diligently for the church body, staff, and broader community.

Preaching & Teaching

• Serve as the primary preaching and teaching Pastor.
• Communicate biblical truth clearly, relevantly, and uncompromisingly, grounded in the inerrant Word of God.
• Develop and lead biblically faithful sermon series that encourage spiritual formation and gospel-centered living.

Leadership Development

• Provide mentorship and spiritual leadership to the ministry staff and church Elder board.
• Promote and implement systems to develop leaders at all levels of the church.
• Foster a culture of discipleship and servant leadership across all ministries.

Organizational Leadership & Administration

• Oversee the overall direction, coordination, and effectiveness of church ministries.
• Collaborate with the Elder Board and staff to develop and execute strategic ministry plans.
• Direct reports of the Lead Pastor will be the pastors and directors of CBC.
• Supervise staff performance and ensure alignment with church mission and values.
• Intentionally engage in Biblical conflict resolution amongst all leadership.

Denominational & Community Involvement

• Engage with the ministries of the North American Baptist Conference and North Central Association.
• Build relationships and collaborate with evangelical ministries and pastors in the Bismarck-Mandan area.
• Dedicate approximately 10% of ministry time to Kingdom-focused ministries beyond Century Baptist, as approved by the Elders.

Administrative Expectations

• Maintain consistent and communicated office hours.
• Submit an annual review of this job description, offering recommendations for updates as needed.
• Participate in regular evaluation and development with the Elders.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Lead Pastor:

Education and Experience

• Seminary Degree (MDiv highly preferred).
• Expository preacher, able to relate Scripture to life application, inspiring congregants to live faithful Christian lives.
• Effective communicator, relating to Staff and congregants with clarity and compassion.
• Discipleship focus, leading others to be disciples who make disciples.
• Experience in a multi-pastoral staff team.
• Experience leading a large or growing congregation.

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• High view of Scripture, faithfully proclaims and defends the Word as the inspired, inerrant, infallible, and incorruptible Word of God.
• Man of prayer, recognizes the importance of prayer and faithfully engages in prayer over all aspects of his personal life and role as Lead Pastor.

What it’s like to live in Bismarck, ND

Bismarck, North Dakota, is a peaceful city that offers a mix of outdoor activities, history, and a friendly community. The city is located next to the Missouri River, which is an important part of the area and provides beautiful views and places to explore. Bismarck has many parks, trails, and open spaces where people can walk, bike, or enjoy nature. The weather can be very different throughout the year, with hot summers and very cold, snowy winters. Compared with larger cities, Bismarck is less crowded and has a slower pace of life. There are still plenty of restaurants, stores, schools, and activities to keep people busy. Overall, Bismarck is a nice place for people who enjoy a quiet lifestyle, nature, and a strong sense of community. Recently, Bismarck was voted the second happiest city to live in the United States.