- SENIOR PASTOR JOB DESCRIPTION -
Our Saviour Lutheran –
Version 11/17/2004 03:48:36 PM
Background: This
document is one of a four-part bundle of documents created in the fall of 2004
in advance of a 2005 pastoral vacancy at Our
The four-part
bundle of documents are:
1.) “THE Rationale
for the Proposed NEW SENIOR-ASSOCIATE
Pastoral Model”. This document describes
the vision behind the pastoral model, and gives direction to the pastoral and
congregational course. Written by DH Hatch.
2.) “SENIOR PASTOR JOB
DESCRIPTION”. This document is a hybrid, with sources including a standard
Luther pastor job description; text added by DH Hatch; and some text borrowed
from current LCMS pastoral job description models.
3.) “ASSOCIATE PASTOR JOB DESCRIPTION”. This document is also a hybrid, with the same sources as the previous
document.
4.) "TEAM-MINISTRY - DAY-TO-DAY TASKS”. This document describes the daily and
specific ministry tasks of the pastors and DCE.
This document is a refreshed version of the day to day ministry tasks
done by Co-Pastors, Callesen and Hatch, from 1989-2004.
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SENIOR PASTOR'S JOB
DESCRIPTION
Pastoral
Requirements
Title: Senior Pastor
Special Focus: Oversee, maintain,
engage and enhance the overall ministry of the congregation and its staff.
General Function: Perform the
duties of a called and ordained Pastor at Our
Line of Authority: Pastor shall
report in the following sequence: to the Board of Elders and to the Board of
Personnel and Finance for annual reviews, as specified in the church
constitution.
Job performance: The Senior Pastor,
by his Call, is authorized and obligated, in harmony with the Associate Pastor,
DCE, and other staff, to lead the congregation to:
1. Administer the Word of God in
it's full truth and purity as contained in the Sacred Scriptures of the Old and
New Testaments as set forth in the confessional writings of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church as found in the Book of Concord.
2. Administer the Holy Sacraments
in accordance with their institution.
3. Discharge the functions of a
pastor in an evangelical manner, in particular to visit the sick and the dying
and to admonish indifferent and erring members.
4. Guard and promote faithfully
the spiritual welfare of the members of this congregation, in particular to
instruct the catechumens, both children and adults, in the Word of God and
prepare them for communicant membership in the church.
5. Guide the congregation in
applying the divinely ordained discipline of the church agreeably to the Word
of God.
6. Promote and guide the mission
activity of the congregation as it is related to the local community and to
District and Synodical endeavors, in particular to train workers and guide them
in evangelical activities and to enlist the support of the congregation for
mission work.
7. Employ effective
administrative principles in the affairs of the congregation, in particular to
lead the congregation in the forming of those policies and procedures which
will carry out the goals of a Christian congregation in an efficient manner.
8. Serve the congregation as an
example of Christian conduct to endeavor earnestly to live in brotherly unity
with the members of the congregation and fellow workers and sister
congregations in the District and Synod, and by the grace of God to do
everything possible within the sphere of his calling toward the edification of
the congregation and the up building of the church in Christ, both locally and
generally.
9. Shepherd the overall ministry
of the congregation.
About the congregational
vision:
10. Provide vision for the congregation and all
its entities as it seeks to provide dynamic ministry for the members of the
congregation, it's leadership, the community and the world.
About scheduling,
planning and printed materials:
11. Oversee the following calendar
and ministry assignments: Give approval to additions to the church calendar;
Prepare preaching and liturgist worship schedule; manage the shut-in visitation
assignment schedule.
12. The Senior Pastor will
monitor printed material distributed to the congregation or general public.
About financial
resources:
13. Work with the budget committee to make sure
ministry priorities are funded.
14. After conferring with the Treasurer and using
the purchase approval system authorizes ministry expenditures that do not
exceed the budget.
About staff supervision
and policy management:
15. Lead, oversee and give
direction to the ministries of the Associate Pastor(s), Director of Christian
Education, as well as all other staff.
16. Ensure that the
day to day staff ministries* of the congregation be carried out effectively in
a harmonious fashion, with the ability to adjust the tasks assignments as
needed. *See the document, "TEAM-MINISTRY DAY-TO-DAY TASKS".
17. With the Board of Personnel and Finance, supervise
all staff, Called and contracted, in their work and ministry so that there is
unity and consensus centered on the vision for the congregation.
18. With the Board of Personnel and Finance,
share in the hiring and termination of church support staff and volunteers
(this does not include Called workers).
19. Work with the Personnel and Finance Committee
to develop job descriptions, personnel policies, procedures and performance
evaluations.
Qualifications of employment: The
position of pastor shall require the following qualifications for employment:
1. Ordained graduate of a
2. Ability to organize,
administer, and lead programs in the
Church.
3. Ability to preach
understandably and effectively.
4. Ability to administer the day
to day operation of the
church office.
5. Provide effective counseling.
C:\oslc\Vision-Bundle 2005 Plus\Job Descriptions-05
and on\final Senior.doc