Lead Pastor

Evangelical Free Church of America; Navarre (FL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Community Church, part of the Evangelical Free Church of America, is seeking a Lead Pastor in Navarre, Florida. The ideal candidate will serve as the primary preacher, provide pastoral care, and engage in community outreach. He will uphold biblical qualifications and commit to expository preaching while developing leaders and fostering disciple-making within the church. This full-time role offers a unique opportunity to lead a smaller church dedicated to growth and gospel outreach, benefiting from the vibrant community of Navarre.

Qualifications

• Must meet biblical qualifications for elders found in 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9, 1 Peter 5:1–4.
• Strongly aligned with Reformed theology, particularly regarding God’s sovereignty in salvation.
• Prior experience in smaller church revitalization, church planting or growth environments strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary preacher of Sunday worship services.
• Provide pastoral care, biblical counseling, and prayer.
• Lead and mentor emerging leaders and future elders/deacons.
• Build redemptive relationships throughout Navarre and surrounding communities.

Skills

Biblical counseling

Leadership development

Expository preaching

Community engagement

Education

Master of Divinity preferred

Job description

Compass Community Church Navarre is seeking a Lead Pastor who will joyfully serve as the primary preaching elder and lead pastor of our church. With his fellow elders, he will faithfully shepherd the congregation through expositional preaching, prayer, discipleship, leadership development and community outreach in alignment with our mission of making disciples through redemptive relationships for the glory of God.

Primary Responsibilities

Preaching & Teaching

• Serve as the primary preacher of Sunday worship services through faithful expositional preaching
• Teach Scripture in various settings including membership classes, Bible studies and leadership development
• Guard doctrinal fidelity and ensure all teaching ministries align with Scripture
• (officiate) Administer baptism and communion

Shepherding & Discipleship

• Provide pastoral care, biblical counseling, prayer, visitation and shepherding to church members
• Develop a culture of intentional disciplemaking throughout the church
• Equip members to grow in spiritual maturity and to reproduce disciples
• Mentor emerging leaders and future elders/deacons
• Lead in membership development and assimilation of new families
• Oversee the planning and conducting of worship services

Elder Leadership

• Serve as a fellow elder alongside the elders to implement the church’s vision
• Help establish long-term ministry vision and strategic priorities
• Lead with wisdom, maturity, humility, theological conviction and servant leadership
• Help strengthen organizational systems appropriate for a growing church

Community Engagement & Mission

• Build redemptive relationships throughout Navarre and surrounding communities
• Engage local outreach opportunities
• Partner with like‑made churches and ministries
• Support global missions efforts through the Evangelical Free Church of America network

Qualifications

Character

• Must meet biblical qualifications for elders found in: 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9, 1 Peter 5:1–4

Theology

• Strongly aligned with Reformed theology, particularly regarding God’s sovereignty in salvation
• Full agreement with Evangelical Free Church of America Statement of Faith
• Strong conviction regarding biblical authority and sufficiency
• Commitment to expository preaching

Experience

• Master of Divinity preferred (required minimum may remain if desired)
• 5+ years pastoral ministry experience preferred
• Prior experience in smaller church revitalization, church planting or church growth environments strongly preferred

Full Time Salary

“What kind of pastor would thrive here?” A doctrinally grounded, relationally warm, expository preacher who loves discipleship, values community outreach and is excited to lead a smaller but healthy church toward long‑term growth.

About this Church

Compass is a church plant founded in 2017 and is a member church of the Evangelical Free Church of America. We are committed to the faithful proclamation of God’s Word, God-centered worship, biblical discipleship and the advancement of the gospel in Navarre and beyond.

Our vision is that every man, woman and child in Navarre and beyond would have an opportunity to hear the gospel and become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of God on the earth.

About Navarre, Florida Navarre sits along Florida’s Emerald Coast between Pensacola and Destin and offers beautiful beaches, strong military presence and a rapidly growing population. The area includes significant opportunities for gospel outreach among military families, young families, retirees and transient populations connected to nearby Naval Air Station Pensacola and Eglin Air Force Base.