Lead Pastor

Era First Baptist Church; Era (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parsonage provided

Job summary

Era First Baptist Church in Era, Texas, seeks a full-time Lead Pastor to shepherd a multi-generational congregation with biblical faithfulness and discipleship. The pastor will be the primary preaching and teaching voice, provide spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and administrative oversight in partnership with the church body.

Candidates should demonstrate a clear calling, commitment to Scripture, and a servant leadership style.

Qualifications

• Clear calling to pastoral ministry aligned with Baptist doctrine.
• Commitment to Scripture, prayer, and sound doctrine.
• Proven ability to preach and teach the Bible faithfully.
• Shepherd’s heart with a relational, servant leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Preach and teach Scripture clearly and expository.
• Lead worship and support meaningful gatherings.
• Provide pastoral care through prayer, counseling, visitation, and encouragement.
• Support children and student ministry alongside staff and volunteers.
• Provide congregational leadership and administrative oversight.
• Engage in outreach and community ministry.

Skills

Pastoral leadership

Public speaking

Biblical teaching

Counseling

Family ministry support

Job description

Era First Baptist Church

Position Title: Lead Pastor / Lead Teaching Pastor

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Location

Era First Baptist Church
100 Bolivar Street
Era, Texas

Overview

Era First Baptist Church (EFBC) is seeking a full-time Lead Pastor to shepherd a healthy, vibrant, and multi-generational congregation committed to biblical faithfulness and discipleship. EFBC is a relational, family-centered church with a strong emphasis on biblical preaching and active engagement in the surrounding community. The church is especially active with children and students and desires a pastor who values and supports ministry to the next generation.

The Lead Pastor will serve as the primary preaching and teaching voice of the church while providing spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and administrative oversight in partnership with the congregation, deacons, and church staff. EFBC values cooperative leadership, unity, and shared responsibility under Christ’s headship of the church.

Doctrinal Position:

Baptist Faith and Message (2000)

Mission and Ministry Philosophy

EFBC exists to glorify God by making disciples who are growing and being transformed into the image of Christ. Ministry is carried out in an atmosphere of love, cooperation, and mutual accountability. The church affirms that Christ is the head of the Church (Colossians 1:18), and that leadership is exercised in service to the body for its growth and maturity.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Preaching and Teaching (Acts 6:4; 1 Timothy 5:17)
   The Lead Pastor will carefully study and proclaim the Word of God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). He will preach and teach Scripture in a clear, expository, and Christ-centered manner that encourages spiritual growth, obedience, and application in daily life. The Lead Pastor serves as the primary teaching pastor for Sunday services and other teaching opportunities as appropriate.
2. Worship Leadership
   In cooperation with church leadership and staff, the Lead Pastor will help shape and support meaningful worship gatherings that glorify God and edify the congregation (John 4:23). This includes supporting those who lead music and other elements of worship.
3. Spiritual Leadership and Shepherding (1 Peter 5:2–3; Hebrews 13:17)
   The Lead Pastor will provide pastoral care through prayer, counseling, visitation, and encouragement. He will lead and minister to the congregation with humility, compassion, and integrity, equipping believers for service and encouraging spiritual maturity. Supporting and strengthening families, especially parents and youth, is a high priority.
4. Support of Children and Student Ministry (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)
   EFBC places significant value on its children and student ministries, particularly the Wednesday night BIG (pre K–5) and EPIC (6–12) programs. The Lead Pastor is expected to actively support, champion, and encourage these ministries, working collaboratively with staff and volunteers. While not required to lead these programs directly, the pastor should visibly value and protect them as a vital outreach of the church.
5. Congregational Leadership and Administration
   The Lead Pastor will provide leadership within a congregationally led church, working closely with deacons, ministry leaders, staff, and the congregation. Responsibilities include administrative oversight, facilitating communication, and helping guide the church in unity, vision, and purpose (Ephesians 4:11–13). Major decisions are made in cooperation with and affirmed by the congregation.
6. Outreach and Community Engagement (Matthew 28:18–20)
   The Lead Pastor will encourage and equip members to live out the Great Commission in their daily lives and circles of influence. He will model a visible and relational presence in the Era community by making an intentional effort to participate in local events, such as school functions, high school sporting events, youth fundraisers, and other community gatherings, as opportunities allow, while supporting outreach efforts that extend the church’s witness beyond its walls.

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics

• A clear calling to pastoral ministry and alignment with Baptist doctrine
• Strong commitment to Scripture, prayer, and sound doctrine
• Proven ability to preach and teach the Bible faithfully and effectively
• Shepherd’s heart with a relational, approachable demeanor
• Ability to lead within a congregational church structure
• Strong support for children, youth, and family ministries
• Demonstrated humility, integrity, and servant leadership
• Experience in pastoral ministry preferred, though character and calling are primary

Compensation

Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. The church provides a parsonage for the pastor and family as part of the compensation package.

Application Process

Those who, after prayerful consideration, feel led to apply for this position are invited to submit a brief cover letter sharing their sense of calling to pastoral ministry, along with a résumé, to [e-mail], with a copy sent to [e-mail]. The EFBC Pastor Search Committee welcomes questions and would be glad to provide additional information as available.