Preaching Pastor

SBC Executive Committee; Joplin (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Celebration Church in Joplin, Missouri seeks a Vocational Elder/Preaching Pastor to shepherd the congregation through biblically faithful preaching and servant leadership.

As part of the Elder Team, you will deliver sermons, provide pastoral care, mentor leaders, and collaborate with staff and volunteers to advance the church’s mission.

Applicants should be born‑again believers with five+ years in pastoral ministry, a bachelor’s degree (seminary preferred), and alignment with SBC values.

Qualifications

• Born‑again believer with a clear calling to pastoral ministry.
• Five+ years of pastoral ministry experience.
• Bachelor's degree; seminary degree preferred.
• Ordination by a Southern Baptist church or willingness to pursue ordination.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver biblically faithful sermons.
• Teach sound biblical doctrine.
• Lead evangelism, discipleship, missions, and outreach.
• Provide pastoral care through counseling, prayer, visitation, weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other duties.
• Collaborate with Elder Team, staff, leaders, and volunteers to fulfill the church’s mission.
• Develop ministry goals, strategic plans, and healthy leadership within the church.

Skills

Preaching

Teaching

Leadership

Communication

Pastoral care

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Seminary preferred

Job description

Vocational Elder / Preaching Pastor

Celebration Church | Joplin, Missouri

Join Our Church Family

Celebration Church is a church family prayerfully seeking the man God is calling to serve as our Vocational Elder/Preaching Pastor. We desire a Christ-centered shepherd who senses God’s invitation to join a devoted, Spirit-filled congregation and help lead us in the work He is already accomplishing. Through faithful biblical preaching, servant leadership, and intentional discipleship, he will equip our church to grow in Christ and fulfill the Great Commission.

As a member of our Elder Team, the Preaching Pastor will serve as a spiritual leader and undershepherd of the congregation under the lordship of Jesus Christ. He will provide biblical teaching, pastoral care, leadership, and vision while helping guide the church according to Scripture and our church’s by‑laws.

What You’ll Do

• Prepare and deliver biblically faithful, Christ-centered sermons.
• Teach and uphold sound biblical doctrine.
• Lead the church in evangelism, discipleship, missions, and outreach.
• Provide pastoral care through counseling, prayer, visitation, encouragement, weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other ministerial responsibilities.
• Work alongside the Elder Team, church staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers to accomplish the church’s mission.
• Help develop ministry goals, strategic plans, and healthy church leadership.
• Mentor and develop future leaders within the church.
• Foster a culture of spiritual growth, servant leadership, and biblical discipleship.

Qualifications

Applicants should:

• Be a born‑again believer in Jesus Christ with a clear testimony of salvation and a personal call to pastoral ministry.
• Meet the biblical qualifications for elders found in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9, as well as the requirements outlined in Celebration Church’s bylaws.
• Be in agreement with the doctrines of the Southern Baptist Convention and Celebration Church’s Statement of Faith.
• Demonstrate spiritual maturity, godly character, humility, and integrity.
• Possess strong preaching, teaching, communication, and leadership abilities.
• Have a minimum of five (5) years of pastoral ministry experience.
• Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. A degree from an accredited seminary or theological institution is preferred.
• Be ordained by a Southern Baptist church or be willing to pursue ordination.

What We Value

We are seeking a pastor who:

• Has a vibrant, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Models servant leadership and a heart for shepherding people.
• Leads with humility, wisdom, and biblical conviction.
• Values teamwork and collaboration with elders, ministry leaders, and volunteers.
• Has a passion for making disciples and reaching the community with the Gospel.
• Is committed to personal growth, prayer, and continued ministry development.

About Celebration Church

Celebration Church exists to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ through worship, evangelism, fellowship, ministry, and biblical teaching. We are committed to faithfully proclaiming God’s Word, serving our community, and helping people grow into mature followers of Christ.

Interested candidates should submit:

• A résumé
• A cover letter sharing your testimony, call to ministry, and philosophy of pastoral leadership
• Links to or recordings of recent sermons (if available)
• References
• Please send all application materials to [e-mail].

We look forward to seeing how God may be calling you to serve alongside our church family in Joplin, Missouri.