Lead Pastor

First Baptist Church of Darby; Darby (MT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

housing

ministry expenses

healthcare allowance

retirement allowance

Job summary

First Baptist Church of Darby seeks a Lead Teaching Pastor who will shepherd the congregation, teach Scripture profoundly, and model wise pastoral care. The role emphasizes evangelism, discipleship, and community engagement within a Montana context.

The candidate should be a gifted teacher and communicator with pastoral leadership experience, capable of coordinating worship, ministry teams, and outreach efforts, while maintaining gospel-centered relationships.

Qualifications

• Graduate of Bible college or degree in Theology, Biblical Studies, or related field from an accredited institution.
• 3–5 years pastoral experience, spiritual leadership, and community engagement.
• Ordination or licensing as a pastor under Montana Southern Baptist Convention standards.
• Ages 30–50 years.
• Gifted teacher who helps people learn and understand deep spiritual truths.
• Strong, effective communicator of well-prepared sermons.
• Skilled counselor with interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in organizational and administrative tasks.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging, Spirit-filled sermons aligned with doctrinal beliefs.
• Provide pastoral care and counseling to congregation members in need.
• Lead and coordinate worship services with the praise team.
• Lead mid-week ministry and study sessions as needed.
• Officiate communion and baptisms.
• Coordinate with Visitation Team to visit shut-ins; focus on spiritual development.

Skills

Disciple-maker

Excellent communicator

Counseling

Pastoral leadership

Organizational skills

Education

Bible college / Theology degree

Ordination/licensing as pastor (MTSBC)

Job description

Seaking a Lead Teaching Pastor:

Profile of Characteristics, Qualities, and Convictions

He must have a vibrant relationship with Jesus and rely on the Holy Spirit.

He must exemplify the truth of Scripture with the grace of the Gospel.

He must be committed to the authority of Scripture as the divinely inspired, inerrant Word of God, which serves as our foundation for belief and practice.

He must be an effective communicator in both written and oral skills.

He must be an active disciple-maker focused on life transformation.

He must be committed to a balanced view of salvation. We believe the Bible teaches God’s sovereignty in salvation (election) and that salvation is available to all who will repent and believe (whosoever). These concepts work together mysteriously to bring glory to God. (We will not consider a candidate who places an intense concentration on Calvinism.)

He must commit to maintaining our affiliations with the Montana Southern Baptist Convention (MTSBC).

He sees the value and priority of relationships while understanding his limitations and the need for healthy boundaries.

Preferences: Education and/or Qualifications

A graduate of Bible college/A degree in Theology, Biblical Studies, or related field from an accredited institution

3-5 years prior pastoral experience, spiritual leadership, and community engagement Ordination or licensing as a pastor under MTSBC standards 30-50 years of age

Gifted teacher who enables people to learn and understand deep spiritual truths

Strong, effective communicator of well-prepared sermons

Skilled counselor with strong interpersonal skills, available to assist people with personal and spiritual problems

Proficient in organizational and administrative tasks

Responsibilities

Deliver engaging, Spirit-filled sermons that align with First Baptist Church’s doctrinal beliefs.

Provide pastoral care and counseling to congregation members in times of need Lead and coordinate worship services, working closely with the praise team (music)

Lead mid-week ministry/study (as needed)

Officiate at communion and baptisms

Coordinate with Visitation Team (currently 11 people) to visit shut-ins Focus on spiritual development of God’s people

Collaborate with staff and volunteers to ensure the smooth operation of church ministries including monthly deacon’s meeting

Seasonal Calendar

Every summer, First Baptist Church coordinates with The Proclaimers mission team and with the Friendship Baptist Church of Maryland team for VBS, and We Care Darby Days in the summer months

Compensation and Benefits

• salary
• housing
• ministry expenses
• healthcare allowance
• retirement allowance

Application Process

The deadline for applications is December 31, 2026.

Our Church

Our church has been established for over 120 years. We value relationships and seek ways to engage the community and demonstrate the love of Jesus. Our current facility is 50+ years old.

It is a building that can seat up to 200+ in one service. We currently have 5 deacons and 3 deaconesses. On Sunday morning, we have a children’s K-8 Sunday school class and an adult

Sunday school class. We have a monthly couple’s group study, prayer ministry, and men’s and women’s bible study groups.

Statement of Faith

The church will accept only the Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments as its guide to faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3:16)
We believe in the Bible as God’s only infallible, and authoritative, and inspired word.
We believe in one God, who is eternally existent and experienced as three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe in Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate born of a virgin, sinless, the perfect blood atonement for our sins on the cross of Calvary. We believe in His miracles, His resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return.
We believe in salvation through Jesus Christ. All men are sinners needing the Savior, and only as one trusts Jesus and is “born again” can he be redeemed to Heaven (Rom. 3:23, John 3:3, John 14:6).
We believe in the present, indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit, sent from Jesus and given to believers the moment they accept Christ, who fills us with power and enables us to live holy lives (John 14:16, 17; Acts 2:38).
We believe that every person who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as savior should follow Him in baptism by immersion in obedience to His command and as an open confession of Christ as personal Savior (Matt. 28:19, 10:32).
We believe in the Church as Christ’s chosen body and that it has a commissioned purpose to spread the Gospel to all the world through a vigorous missionary program at home and abroad (Matt. 28:19, 20).
We believe in the power of prayer.
We believe in Heaven and Hell as real places where all people will be rewarded or punished depending upon their commitment to Jesus Christ.
We believe in the discipleship of every believer to the end that he will honor Jesus Christ in everything he does.
We believe that Jesus Christ will come again to judge the nations and fill the earth with His power and glory.

Our Community

Our church is located in the city of Darby, Montana. The current population of Darby is 888 and 2000+ in the surrounding rural area. Darby is located in the south end of the beautiful Bitterroot Valley and is a family-oriented community. Darby has a preschool, an elementary school, a high school, post office, grocery store, and dollar store. Darby also has gas stations, hotels, rodeo grounds, restaurants, Bitterroot Health medical clinic, and is within traveling distance to the county seat of Hamilton, many lakes, and the Bitterroot River.