Lead Pastor Candidate Profile

Lead Pastor Candidate Profile

First Baptist Church

45 Woburn Street

Reading, MA 01867

Contents

Pastoral Candidate Profile Overview

Instructions For Lead Pastor Applicants

Pastoral Profile Checklist

Pastoral Skills Ranking

Pastoral Candidate Questionnaire

Pastoral Candidate Profile Overview

First Baptist Church of Reading (FBC)is a multi-generational, somewhat ethnically-diverse, Christ-centered, evangelical church of 200 members located in the New England town of Reading, MA. FBC envisions an outwardly-focused ministry centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ to families of various generational stages and ethnic backgrounds in the greater Reading area.

The next lead pastor of FBC will be a man who is a visionary leader who can work in a multi-generational and culturally stable environment. Some lead pastoral experience is preferable but not necessary. What is necessary is that the next pastor be a patient, proven leader with a pastor’s heart. He must have a history of being a team player and a team leader who is willing to empower,equip, and release the congregants to do the work of the ministry. The Lead Pastormust have a strong commitment to the Word of God and to seeing non-believers come to know and grow in Christ. A seminary education, or the near completion of a seminary education, is required. It would be helpful to have some understanding of the culture and climate of New England.

The next pastor will be responsible for implementing theSimple Church vision and values discovered and developed by the Leadership Team and congregation during the interim period. An understanding of and willingness to practice the policy governance as described in the Church Profile is important. All boards, committees, organizations, and ministries are accountable (directly or indirectly) to the pastor, who is accountable to the Leadership Team, of which he is a voting member. A Christ-centric approach to preaching and ministry is required.

Instructions For Lead Pastor Applicants

There are three sections of our application:

1)Pastoral Profile Checklist

2)Pastoral Skills Checklist

3)Pastoral Candidate Questionnaire

Please read the instructions for each section and respond accordingly.

In addition to completing the three sections of our application:

Include a cover letter along with your resume and personal doctrinal statement.
Also provide your personal core values and/or mission statement (if you have one)
Email the completed applicationand attachments

While we prefer a digital copy, you may send a hard-copy to:

First Baptist Church

Attn. Pulpit Committee

45 Woburn Street

Reading, MA 01867

If you have questions about the contents of this packet, please email No phone calls please.

Thank you for your interest!

Pastoral Profile Checklist

(1 Tim 3:1-10; Titus 1:6-9):

Please select the response that best describes your life and ministry.

Strongly Disagree / Disagree / Neutral / Agree / Strongly Agree
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 1. I live a Gospel-centered life.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 2. I acknowledge that justification and sanctification are by grace alone through faith alone in Christ's righteousness alone, thus avoiding religious moralism while fully embracing the grace of God (1 Pet 5:12; 2 Tim 2:1; 1 Cor 15:10; Titus 2:11-12).
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 3. I have a proven record of being a team player and team builder in past ministries as demonstrated by observable teams that have been started and led.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 4. I love people as an under-shepherd and a demonstrated awareness that the church is Christ’s bride. I care for people in a nurturing and developmental way, not lording it over them but using authority and position for the benefit of people’s health and growth – both in the Gospel and in life skills (2 Cor 1:24; 1 Peter 5:2-4).
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 5. I am committed to being an equipping pastor rather than engaging in solo ministry demonstrated by a list of names (when asked) of people who have gone into or been effective in leadership functions in churches where the applicant has ministered (Eph 4:12).
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 6. I have a demonstrated commitment to emotional health that includes personal humility, an honest understanding of personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as acceptance of limits, and the ability to express oneself in an emotionally healthy way.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 7. I have demonstrated commitment to personal and professional accountability within the local congregation demonstrated by a list of names (when asked) of people who have journeyed with me in mutual accountable relationships.
Strongly Disagree / Disagree / Neutral / Agree / Strongly Agree
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 8. I am committed to intentional personal and congregational spiritual formation as demonstrated by the practice of discipleship.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 9. I am committed to life-long learning demonstrated by ongoing learning patterns including a wide range of reading interests, maintaining active and intentional mentoring, and a completed seminary education or graduate degree.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 10. I have experience in family ministry with the desire to reach nesting-stage families.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 11. I am willing to encourage people who are on a journey towards a relationship with God and willing to allow people to participate in the life of the church before they believe.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 12. I have a demonstrated willingness to serve the larger community beyond the church. Intentionally making time to connect relationally while actively considering the spiritual needs of the larger community. Not hostile towards those who oppose Christ (1 Peter 2:15).
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 13. I am well-spoken and positive in personal and public venues with a good crowd presence, not socially awkward or excessively introverted.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 14. I am able to work with people who hold both Arminian and Calvinistic theologies regardless of my own conviction.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 15. I preach expository Gospel-centered messages in an interesting and relevant fashion while demonstrating thoughtful exegesis with a demonstrated understanding of historic Christian doctrine.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 16. I am able to tolerate the moderate use of alcoholic beverages by church attendees even if personal convictions prohibit their use.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 17. I am committed to building biblical community as demonstrated by past participation in leading and training leaders for small group ministry and in the ability to listen well to others.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 18. I am experienced at conflict resolution as demonstrated by dealing with conflict in the past on church and family fronts. I am currently dealing with any unresolved conflict.
☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / ☐ / 19. I am comfortable using both contemporary praise songs and traditional hymns during worship regardless of my own preference.

Please select the response that best describes you.

Yes / No
☐ / ☐ / 20. Significant pastoral experience.
☐ / ☐ / 21. Either grew-up in New England or currently lives here.

Pastoral Skills Ranking

Please rank yourself in order with the following skills from 1-8 (with 1 being your strongest and 8 being your weakest)

Preaching/Teaching: [Choose an item.]

Administration: [Choose an item.]

Evangelism:[Choose an item.]

Team Building:[Choose an item.]

Vision Casting:[Choose an item.]

Pastoral Care/Counseling: [Choose an item.]

Leadership: [Choose an item.]

Prayer:[Choose an item.]