Senior Pastor

The Grove Church; Acworth (GA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing allowance

Health coverage

Retirement matching

Life insurance

Expense reimbursement

Job summary

The Grove Church in Acworth, Georgia is seeking a Senior Pastor to shepherd the church family, preaching and leading with a team of elders who share the load. The pastor will teach the Word, care for the flock, and guide staff and ministries with a Christ-centered vision.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in vocational ministry, ordination, and a robust theological depth, ready to relocate within 20 minutes of Acworth. A calling to shepherd this local church is essential.

Qualifications

• Character (essential): above reproach, faithful in marriage and home, self-controlled, hospitable, not a lover of money, well-regarded, able to teach.
• Doctrine (essential): affirm and teach our Statement of Faith, including Scripture inspiration and inerrancy, gospel of grace, believer’s baptism, and marriage/ sexuality.
• Experience & practical: 8+ years in vocational pastoral or teaching ministry, with a real preaching track record and leading a team.
• Ordination (required).
• Theological education — seminary training (M.Div. or equivalent) preferred, or demonstrable theological depth and ongoing study plan.
• Willing to relocate to live within a 20-minute drive of The Grove, Acworth, GA.
• Able to provide references and consent to background and checks.

Responsibilities

• Preach and teach the Word, feeding the church through faithful, Christ-centered exposition.
• Shepherd the flock: care, pray, walk with people, and oversee church health and discipline with elders.
• Lead and develop staff under the elders’ oversight.
• Guard our doctrine and keep it well represented across ministries.
• Set and steward vision; lead day-to-day ministry with elders.
• Labor in plural leadership, cultivating mutual encouragement and honesty.

Education

Theological education — seminary training (M.Div. or equivalent)

Job description

THE GROVE CHURCH Senior Pastor

Job Description: An invitation to prayerfully consider shepherding our church family.

Before the details

The Grove Church is seeking the next Senior Pastor God has been preparing for us. We’re not in a hurry, and we’re not merely filling a role — we’re asking the Lord for a shepherd to teach us the Word, love this church, and lead us for the long haul. This is written honestly: who we are, who we’re looking for, what the work is, and how to take the next step. We’d rather be clear now than have anyone discover later that we weren’t the right fit for each other.

About The Grove Church: The Grove is an elder-led church family in Acworth, Georgia. We are passionate about helping people flourish — and because we believe true flourishing is found only in Jesus, everything we do is meant to point people to Him. We are a church founded on the Scriptures, led by a plurality of elders under the Lordship of Christ, and committed to sound doctrine, genuine care, and faithful witness in our community.

The role: At The Grove, “Senior Pastor” describes the man our elders entrust to serve as the shepherding leader of our church’s ministry — the one who carries the primary preaching and teaching, leads our ministry staff, and helps set and steward our vision. Just as importantly, he serves as one of a plurality of elders — leading alongside, and accountable to, a team of brothers, not over or around them. We’re looking for a shepherd, a preacher, and a fellow laborer who wants to give himself to this congregation for years, not seasons.

Who we’re looking for

Before the job itself: we are not first looking for a skill set or a résumé, but a man whose ministry flows out of a living walk with Christ rather than running ahead of it. We’re praying for a man who is: Alive to Christ — whose public ministry visibly springs from a real, humble, prayerful walk with Jesus, not the other way around. Free of the need to be great — who finds his identity in Christ rather than in the platform, the numbers, or the applause, and is guarded against the quiet idols of ministry. Sure of his call — able to say, and to have others confirm, that God has called him to shepherd and lead the local church. Tender with people — patient, forgiving, hospitable, and gentle with strugglers, because he knows his own need of grace. Teachable and self-aware — open to correction and encouragement, quick to own his sin, and the same man in private that he is in the pulpit. Steady under pressure — whose faith holds when ministry is hard, slow, or costly.

What you’ll do: As our shepherding leader and one of our elders, you would: Preach and teach the Word — carry the primary preaching, feeding the church through faithful, Christ-centered exposition. Shepherd the flock — care, pray, and walk with people, and (with the elders) tend the church’s health and, when needed, its discipline. Lead and develop our staff — direct and grow our ministry team under the elders’ oversight. Guard our doctrine — protect the church’s teaching and keep it well represented across our ministries. Set and steward vision — cast direction and lead the day-to-day ministry of the church. Labor in plural leadership — share the load with a team of accountable elders, cultivating mutual encouragement and honesty.

What we’re asking for:

Character (essential). You meet the biblical qualifications for an elder in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9 — above reproach, faithful in marriage and home, self-controlled, hospitable, not a lover of money, well-regarded by those outside the church, and able to teach.
Doctrine (essential). You wholeheartedly affirm and can teach our Statement of Faith — including the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture, the gospel of grace, believer’s baptism by immersion, and God’s design for marriage and sexuality — and welcome leading as one of a plurality of accountable elders. Experience & practical. 8+ years in vocational pastoral or teaching ministry, with a real preaching track record and experience leading a team. Ordination (required).
Theological education — seminary training (M.Div. or equivalent) preferred, or demonstrable theological depth and a plan for ongoing study. Willing to relocate to live within a 20-minute drive of The Grove, in Acworth, Georgia. Close enough to be a genuine part of this community. Able to provide references — and, for finalists, to consent to standard background, reference, and stewardship checks.

What The Grove offers: We know a call runs both ways. Here’s what we commit to the man God sends us: A true team; A real, praying, accountable body of elders who share the load and guard the man — so you’re neither isolated nor unchecked. Honor and provision; Best-practice, generous care for you and your family, as the Lord enables us. A culture that values who you are over what you produce; including Sabbath and an annual pull‑away for rest and renewal. An honest, warm church family; one that will tell you the truth in love, welcome your correction of us, and pursue unity the way the body of Christ does. Our prayers; “before, during, and long after the call.”

Compensation.
The salary range for this role is $105,000–$135,000, depending on experience and qualifications, plus benefits. A portion of compensation can be designated as a minister’s housing allowance, and the benefits package includes health coverage, retirement matching, life insurance, and reimbursement of ministry expenses. Compensation and benefits are set by the elders; the specifics will be worked out directly with the elders as a candidate moves toward a call.

A closing word: We believe God already knows the man He’s preparing for The Grove. If that might be you, we’d count it a joy to begin the conversation. “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you… and when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:2–4). In Christ, The Pastoral Search Advisory Team