Pastor Central Baptist Church (El Centro, CA) - LancasterSearch

Central Baptist Church (El Centro, CA) Pastor

THE BIG PICTURE

Central Baptist church () is seeking a full time Pastor. 

We are a small, but growing, contemporary Baptist church located in El Centro, Ca. We are part of the Southern Baptist Convention and hold fast to the standard of the Baptist Faith and Message, while maintaining our autonomy.  We are a family oriented and community minded church, and God has blessed us with great facilities in a perfect location for outreach.  

 

El Centro, with a population of about 44,000, is the county seat and commercial hub of the Imperial Valley which is a desert community located along Interstate 8 about a hundred miles east of San Diego. According to the latest figures the average annual household income is $57,000 and the average cost of a home is $293,000.  

 

We are a border community with a predominately Hispanic population, about 85%, so there is a strong Catholic influence. This presents both unique challenges and opportunities for the local church.  The average resident here has more conservative values, is family oriented and is willing to talk about God; while at the same time is often, though loosely, tied to the beliefs of the Catholic Church. We also have a substantial portion of the population that speaks Spanish as a first language.  Understanding all of this simply means… the field is ripe for the harvest, and we are an evangelistic minded church. We are looking for a pastor who can take us to the next level with new ideas, new energies, a love for the gospel, a love for people and a love for the local church and its community.  

Requirements

Position Description:

The Senior Pastor is the spiritual leader of the church, and is responsible to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, to teach Biblical scripture, to engage in pastoral care, and to provide administrative leadership in all areas of church life and function. He should be able to lead collaboratively with the deacons, other pastors and the church staff to provide opportunities for Central Baptist Church members/guests to worship, be discipled toward growth in their walk of faith, and implement strategies that will encourage and lead members to serve and impact their church and community with gospel centered lives. Candidates are expected to stand firm for the sanctity of human life, the sacredness of marriage between one man and one woman, and the fundamental freedom to express our faith in the public arena.

 

Responsibilities: 

The following defines the specific functions performed by the Senior Pastor: 

·      As a preacher/teacher, present well-organized, Bible-based sermons and lessons on Sunday and Wednesday that edify, challenge, and encourage the church as well as promote the passionate worship of God. Knowledge and desire to preach/teach the entire Bible. 

·      Lead the congregation to follow the Great Commission to reach the lost and the unchurched, fostering biblical, emotional, social, and spiritual growth. Disciple the congregation through Bible study with the aim to develop Christian maturity and depth of Biblical understanding with life applications. 

·      Uphold with integrity the doctrines, the constitution, and by-laws of Central Baptist Church. 

·      Provide pastoral care by visiting the sick, elderly, and bereaved. Maintain contact with the church family, while loving and affirming persons and families within the fellowship. Be available for emergencies as needed. The pastor shall, with both the associate pastor and the deacons, oversee the pastoral care and nurturing of the church members. 

·      Provide care and confidential counsel to members and non-members in planned life events (e.g., pre-marital counseling) and moments of personal struggle or crisis. 

·      Administer the ordinances of the church (Baptism and Communion) on a regular and as needed basis. 

·      Perform weddings, baby dedications, funerals as requested. 

·      Ensure the church maintains a focus on providing ministry and initiatives that engage and involve members of every generation. 

·      Provide guidance and oversight to the deacons, all church committees, and organizations in the development and implementation of programs of ministry and mission. Effectively encourage persons, programs, and ministries of the church family. 

·      Provide primary oversight and direction to the church office, supervising paid church staff, overseeing the maintenance of the church calendar, representing the church to visitors and other persons who contact the church, serving in other reasonable activities relative to the church office. 

·      The Senior Pastor is expected to maintain church office hours for the benefit of all church members/non-members and the related business of the church. 

·      Meet Monthly with the Leadership Team for review and evaluation of the health of the church as well as address and business necessary for the furtherance of the church ministries and mission. The Senior Pastor is directly responsible to the congregation in the performance of ministry. 

·      Provide a plan for a qualified person to conduct services during his absence for vacation, sickness, etc.

 

Qualifications:

·      A degree from an accredited Bible College or Seminary and/or successful ministry experience in helping grow a church.

·      Experience as a Senior Pastor. (Preferred)

·      Experience in managing staff as a primary supervisor and or administrator of church staff. (Preferred)

·      Bilingual - Spanish/English. (Preferred)

·      Possess Biblical qualifications as stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

·      Effective interpersonal and communication skills. 

·      Possess strong leadership and strategic thinking capabilities.

·      Possess proven character and integrity, maintaining a vital personal relationship with the Lord through daily Bible and prayer, as well as having proper priorities at home with family, exhibiting an example of a Godly balanced life.

Benefits

Compensation:

$58,000-$68,000 The Senior Pastor will be classified as full-time. Benefits offered will be consistent with the current policy for insurance, paid time off (PTO) and holidays. This is a minimum 40 hour per week position.

 

 

The Process

Please look over this job description and the church website. Along with your resume please answer these questions:

 

Why do you believe that you might be a good fit as the Pastor at Central Baptist Church?

 

Describe your experiences in ministry and how you may be qualified to serve as the Pastor of Central Baptist Church?

 

In just a few sentences please give a summary of your theology and how that is in line with the doctrine of Central Baptist Church?

 

Please send your resume, the answers to these questions and a link to at least one online sermon to

 

PRIMARY ROLES: 1. FUNDRAISER The current budget for Barnabas Factor is in the range of $100,000. If a salary (or partial salary) is being attached to the position of Executive Director, then the budget would be raised accordingly. Current funds coming in are about 90% from individuals; 10% church mission budgets. Someone with strong church liaisons could certainly change that proportion. Under Individual giving, most giving (perhaps 80-85%) is done through direct contact and mailed appeal letters. Up to 15% comes from online solicitation (using Network For Good). Attempts are being made to up online giving percentages. The budget breaks down into these general categories: Bible Institutes—40%; Trips by Americans (or “All African” team)—close to 20%; Salaries for Directors of Africa and India, approximately 15%; Pastor Emergency Fund, and operating expenses in Africa and India—12%; Fundraising Expenses and American office expenses 13%. 2. VISIONARY The primary vision from God for this ministry was given to Tom Salter, and he has vision-cast it to others. The future Executive Director, with Board approval, would become the next “Visionary” with the capability of adding, subtracting, or modifying current efforts. With the overwhelming need to train International Pastors (one expert estimates that 95% of all “International Pastors” are UNDERTRAINED and most of them are virtually UTRAINED. The need is great enough to keep pursuing for the foreseeable future. 3. MANAGER (OVERSEER) In Africa, a tremendous leadership base is established, overseen by the African Director, Dr. Twagirumugabe Dominique. Obviously, Dr. Dominique is to be overseen and directed by the Executive Director. In India, our leader, Pastor Kempanna, is also overseen by the Executive Director. But the leadership base is much weaker and untrained in India. (It must be noted that Barnabas Factor has been in operation in Africa almost 10 years longer than in India). But more effort has to be extended in India than in Africa in terms of oversight. 4. Personal Trainer This is listed fourth, but it could be listed much higher. In India, utilizing Zoom, Tom Salter spends time five days a week training pastors. But with recruitment, and development of more Indian leaders, that could be phased out. In Africa, what used to be annual trips now are more likely, semi-annual in frequency. And honestly, with the strong leadership base, it could be virtually passed on (like a baton in a race) to African leaders. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: · At least an MA in Theology, Doctrine, or New (or Old) Testament · Established spiritual maturity—good character (I Timothy 3:2) · Some experience training pastors overseas · Must feel a “burden” if not a “Calling” to train pastors overseas · Some experience in raising funds to fulfill a budget · Age wise—be 67 or younger