Lead Pastor

Mercy Ridge Community Church; Dry Ridge (KY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy Ridge Community Church in Dry Ridge, KY is seeking a Lead Pastor to guide the church in proclaiming God's Word, shepherding the flock, and directing ministries. This bi-vocational, full-time position reports to the Leadership Team and Church Membership in accordance with by-laws.

The ideal candidate has experience preaching, pastoral leadership, and a heart for evangelism, discipleship, and community outreach; must lead collaboratively and model Christ-centered character.

Qualifications

• Experience preaching and teaching in a local church or ordination.
• Demonstrated ability to shepherd, disciple, counsel, and equip believers.
• Ability to lead collaboratively with church leadership, staff, and volunteers.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to evangelism, discipleship, missions, and community outreach.
• Humility, discretion, confidentiality, and wisdom in pastoral leadership.
• Ability to create, communicate, and lead a biblical vision for the church.

Responsibilities

• Preaching and Teaching: Faithfully preach and teach the Word of God during worship services and other opportunities.
• Spiritual Leadership: Lead the church to function as a New Testament church and pursue growth in faith, obedience, unity, and mission.
• Pastoral Care: Shepherd the congregation through prayer, counseling, visitation, encouragement, and discipleship.
• Discipleship and Leadership Development: Equip members for ministry and identify emerging leaders.
• Evangelism and Community Outreach: Model personal evangelism and urge others to do the same.
• Ministry Oversight: Work with leadership, staff and ministry leaders to plan, coordinate, and evaluate church ministries.
• Communication: Communicate vision and needs clearly to the congregation.
• Personal Life: Maintain a Christ-centered life and uphold Scripture in all areas.

Skills

Preaching

Teaching

Pastoral care

Leadership

Communication

Discipleship

Team collaboration

Education

Theological education

Ordination

Job description

We exist to know Christ and to make Him known. If this is what God has led you to do, then please come and join us!

Mercy Ridge Community Church is a small church plant nestled in the north central part of Grant County, Kentucky, located at 3125 Dixie Highway in Dry Ridge. We are only 11 years old, and God has been blessing us this entire time. We have had steady growth even during the Covid years when we grew the most. Recently our numbers have steadied out with a few families moving out of state. We are seeking a leader who can help us launch that growth again.

Mercy Ridge is a different kind of church. Our name was chosen for a reason. When you walk through our doors, we want to show you the mercy that you may not have found at other churches. We are a family who “does life together.” We have all ages at our church, but the biggest growing population here is our babies–we’re starting a nursery rotation soon!

When you come to Mercy Ridge, you won’t be doing the work alone. You will be supported by an entire church of hard workers who are simply looking for guidance. We are debt free! We have a leadership team, men’s, women’s, youth, and children’s ministries, an active life group, and a new missions team.

Type: Bi-vocational

Average weekly attendance: 66

Lead Pastor Job Description

Church: Mercy Ridge Community Church
Position: Lead Pastor
Reports To: Leadership Team and Church Membership, in accordance with church bylaws
Position Type: Bi-Vocational / Full-time (or as determined by the church)

Position Summary

The Lead Pastor provides spiritual, pastoral, and organizational leadership to Mercy Ridge Community Church. He is responsible for faithfully proclaiming God’s Word, shepherding the congregation, equipping believers for ministry, and leading the church in fulfilling its mission of knowing Christ and making Him known by leading the broken in our community to God’s perfect design through the Gospel of Jesus.

Biblical Qualifications

The Lead Pastor shall meet the biblical qualifications for pastoral leadership found in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9. He should demonstrate spiritual maturity, integrity, humility, sound doctrine, faithfulness in personal conduct, the ability to teach, and a Christ-honoring reputation.

Primary Responsibilities and Expectations

• Preaching and Teaching: Faithfully preach and teach the whole counsel of the Word of God in theological agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message (2000) during worship services, meetings, and other teaching opportunities, and arranging qualified pulpit supply when needed
• Spiritual Leadership: Lead the church to function as a New Testament church, helping the congregation grow in faith, obedience, unity, and mission
• Pastoral Care: Shepherd the congregation through prayer, counseling, visitation, encouragement, and discipleship
• Discipleship and Leadership Development: Equip members for ministry, identify and develop emerging leaders, and encourage the spiritual disciplines
• Evangelism and Community Outreach: Model personal evangelism and encourage congregation to do the same
• Ministry Oversight: Work with the leadership team, staff, and ministry leaders to plan, coordinate, and evaluate church ministries
• Communication: Communicate clearly and regularly with the congregation regarding church vision, ministry priorities, needs, and opportunities for involvement
• Personal Life: Maintain a consistent personal walk with Christ and a lifestyle that reflects biblical character, uphold the authority of Scripture in all of life, and cultivate healthy relationships in the family, the church, and the community

Experience and Qualifications

• Experience preaching and teaching in a local church, theological education, ministry training, or ordination
• Demonstrated ability to shepherd, disciple, counsel, and equip believers
• Ability to lead collaboratively with church leadership, staff, and volunteers
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Commitment to evangelism, discipleship, missions, and community outreach
• Humility, discretion, confidentiality, and wisdom in pastoral care and leadership matters
• Ability to create, communicate, and lead a biblical vision for the church