Senior Pastor

Westminster Theological Seminary; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Job summary

Westminster Theological Seminary is seeking a Senior Pastor for Alexandria Presbyterian Church (APC) located in Alexandria, Virginia. The ideal candidate will lead a growing and diverse congregation, focusing on preaching, teaching, shepherding, and church leadership. This is a full-time position that includes Sunday activities and a generous benefits package.

As the primary spiritual leader, the Senior Pastor will work collaboratively with church officers, nurture spiritual growth, and foster evangelism within and outside the church. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit and have a heart for God's mission, we encourage you to apply.

Qualifications

• Must be filled with the Holy Spirit and capable of leading a diverse congregation.
• Experience in preaching and teaching the gospel required.
• Ability to provide pastoral care and mentorship to staff and congregation.

Responsibilities

• Preach approximately 35-40 weeks per year.
• Administer sacramental duties such as baptisms and communion.
• Care for the spiritual well-being of the congregation.

Skills

Preaching and teaching

Pastoral care

Leadership

Evangelism

Education

Master of Divinity or equivalent theological degree

Job description

Title

Senior Pastor

Context

Alexandria Presbyterian Church (APC) is a growing and increasingly diverse church in Alexandria, Virginia just outside Washington, D.C. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, APC completed its own building in 2022 and now has two Sunday morning worship services, an additional monthly Spanish-language service, and almost 700 members (including approximately 200 non-communicant members). In 2025, APC launched “Vision 2026,” an initiative to catalyze a culture of radical missional living to better serve our church, our city, and our world in the name of Christ, including planting a daughter church in 2027. The current Senior Pastor, who will be stepping down after more than 35 years in this role, works alongside eleven ruling elders, the Associate Pastor of Congregational Life and Missions, the Assistant Pastor of International Outreach and Mercy, the Assistant Pastor of Church Planting, the diaconate, and thirteen staff.

Position Summary

APC seeks a Senior Pastor who is filled with the Holy Spirit and who will walk alongside the Session to discern God’s vision for APC, leading humbly, prayerfully, and collaboratively. The Senior Pastor will serve as the primary spiritual leader of the congregation, with responsibility for preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, shepherding the church in accordance with the Scriptures, and directing the growth and alignment of APC’s ministries. The Senior Pastor will work with church officers and staff to nurture the spiritual growth of the congregation, train and equip the saints for kingdom service, and uphold the purity and peace of the church.

Ministry Focus and Primary Responsibilities

Preaching and Teaching

The Senior Pastor will have the primary responsibility for preaching and teaching the gospel.

• Faithfully preach Scripture as the inerrant Word of God in a clear, compelling, and accessible manner, guided by the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:4-5). Sermons should engage the intellect, stir the heart, and both comfort and challenge the congregation. Will preach approximately 35-40 weeks per year.
• Faithfully teach God’s Word in the varied settings and to the various demographics at APC, with a heart for the spiritual growth and maturity of all listeners. May include new member classes, ministry leadership training, adult Sunday school, communicants class, and discipleship programs.

Worship

The Senior Pastor will seek the leading of the Holy Spirit to focus all elements of the worship service on the glory of God.

• Work collaboratively with staff to plan, design, and organize all elements of the worship service, including prayer, Scripture reading, confession, singing, preaching of the Word, and administration of the sacraments.
• Administer the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper as well as lead special worship services (e.g. Good Friday and Christmas season services).

Shepherding and Pastoral Care

The Senior Pastor will care for the spiritual well‑being of the congregation, calling the flock into greater intimacy with Jesus.

• Lead church officers, staff, and lay leaders in cultivating a culture of shepherding care, prayer, and service at APC.
• Pursue and engage the congregation on a personal level, including through counseling, encouragement, and admonishment where appropriate.
• Handle conflict in a manner that emphasizes truth, reconciliation, and the peace and purity of the church. Lead in church discipline cases.
• Provide other forms of pastoral care to the congregation (e.g. visitation, funerals, weddings, etc.), along with officers and staff, as appropriate.

Leadership and Vision

Led by the Holy Spirit, the Senior Pastor will work humbly, prayerfully, and collaboratively with the Session to discern God’s vision for APC and to lead the church and its ministries in fulfilling APC’s mission.

• Mentor and discipline APC officers and staff, and identify, equip, and mentor lay leaders to serve and carry out the ministries of the church. Lead the annual ministry leadership retreat for vision casting, training, and equipping.
• Serve as moderator of the Session, presiding over its meetings and ensuring prayerful deliberation and decision-making. Lead, supervise, support, and evaluate APC staff, as appropriate in accordance with the APC Personnel Manual.
• Actively participate in presbytery and denomination meetings and initiatives. Partner with area churches, where appropriate, to further gospel impact.

Evangelism

The Senior Pastor will rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to call sinners to repentance in all his duties.

• Preach and teach Scripture with the aim to convert sinners inside and outside of the church.
• Pursue individuals who have not made a credible confession of faith in Jesus Christ.
• Foster a missions-focused culture at APC with a heart for the lost in Alexandria and the world.

Accountability Structure

The Senior Pastor is under the oversight of, and accountable to, the APC congregation, Session, and the Potomac Presbytery. He is subject to and shall comply with the APC Personnel Manual.

Compensation

This position is full‑time (including Sunday activities) and includes a generous benefits package.