Senior Pastor

The Christian and Missionary Alliance; Maine; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Bethel Alliance Church in western Maine is seeking a Lead Pastor to shepherd a Christ-centered congregation committed to biblical teaching, authentic community, and reaching neighbors with the gospel.

The ideal candidate will be ordained or license-eligible with five+ years of pastoral ministry, be a gifted communicator in preaching and discipleship, and enjoy building intergenerational relationships in a small rural setting.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of pastoral ministry experience.
• Ordained or licensing eligibility with The Christian & Missionary Alliance.

Responsibilities

• Preach and teach God's Word clearly and accessibly.
• Shepherd the congregation through pastoral care, counseling, visitation, and prayer.
• Serve with the elders, oversee the part-time administrator, and equip volunteer leaders.
• Develop emerging leaders as transition of responsibilities to the next generation occurs.
• Strengthen evangelism, community partnerships, and youth/children's ministries.

Skills

Spiritual maturity

Biblical preaching

Disciple-making

Leadership development

Evangelism

Intergenerational ministry

Licensing eligibility

Education

Alliance licensing eligibility

Job description

Bethel Alliance Church is seeking a Lead Pastor to shepherd a Christ-centered congregation that is committed to biblical teaching, authentic community, and reaching the people of western Maine with the gospel.

Bethel Alliance Church is a Christian and Missionary Alliance congregation with 41 members and an average Sunday attendance of approximately 75. Founded in 1969 and affiliated with the C&MA since 1979, the church is known for faithful biblical preaching, contemporary worship, generous care for one another, and a strong commitment to prayer. Active ministries include youth and children's programs, Bible studies, Coffeehouse Conversations, a monthly Community Supper serving approximately 100-150 guests, missions engagement, and a gifted worship team that includes several teenagers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Preach and teach God's Word faithfully, clearly, and in ways that connect with everyday life.
• Shepherd the congregation through pastoral care, counseling, visitation, and prayer.
• Serve alongside the elders, facilitate the Board of Ministries, supervise the part-time administrative assistant, and equip volunteer ministry leaders.
• Develop emerging leaders as longtime servants transition responsibilities to the next generation.
• Strengthen evangelism, community partnerships, and youth and children's ministries—particularly with the middle and high school located directly across the street.
• Model a servant-hearted, empowering leadership style that equips others for ministry.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be:

• A spiritually mature follower of Jesus marked by integrity, humility, compassion, wisdom, and a healthy sense of humor.
• A gifted communicator with demonstrated effectiveness in biblical preaching, disciple-making, leadership development, and evangelism.
• Someone who enjoys building relationships across generations and is excited to serve in a close-knit rural community.
• Ordained (or able to meet Christian & Missionary Alliance licensing and ordination requirements). Five or more years of pastoral ministry experience is preferred.
• This position requires licensing with The Christian & Missionary Alliance. To learn more about The Alliance and requirements for licensing, please visit our website

About Bethel

Nestled in the mountains of western Maine, Bethel is a vibrant New England village that combines small-town charm with exceptional year-round recreation. Surrounded by the lakes, rivers, forests, and peaks of the Mahoosuc region, the community features a walkable downtown, locally owned businesses, Gould Academy, and the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy world-class skiing at nearby Sunday River, hiking throughout Grafton Notch and the Bethel Community Forest, as well as biking, fishing, paddling, and camping. Portland and Portland International Jetport are approximately 72 miles away, while North Conway, New Hampshire, is just 42 miles away, providing convenient access to shopping, dining, travel, and additional recreation in the White Mountains.