Title: Lead Pastor
Reports to: Oakwood Elders Status: Full-time Benefits Eligible

Summary: Oakwood Church is a part of the Evangelical Free Church of America, an association of churches of like-minded congregations. Oakwood is a family of Christ-followers, a community that loves Jesus and lives to make His love known.

The Lead Pastor of Oakwood provides overall leadership to the church, its mission and vision, and faithfully, clearly, and effectively teaches the Word of God. His character is marked by a humble dependence on the Holy Spirit and a vibrant prayer life. He has an approachable presence and relates well to people from different walks and stages of life.

Responsibilities

Preaching / Teaching

• Lead the preaching and teaching of the Word of God with expository preaching as the predominant style.
• Determine the preaching calendar and theme, and select, approve, schedule, develop, and coach the teaching team and guest speakers and ensure doctrinal alignment.
• Oversee the decisions on biblical teaching throughout the ministries of the church including, but not limited to, curriculum, small groups, special events and music.

Leadership

• Provide proactive leadership in prayerfully identifying and effectively communicating the vision, strategy, and goals to inspire, encourage, and energize Oakwood.
• Provide direction, guidance, and oversight to every aspect of all church services including, but not limited to, the organizational and contextual aspects.
• Monitor overall church activities, ministries, programs, outreach, and events to ensure their alignment with the visionary priorities of Oakwood.
• Lead the staff and church to accomplish the church’s mission and maintain policies that effectively manage the operations of the church.
• Develop, invest in, and coach a biblically qualified, paid and volunteer, leadership team to give oversight to the work of Oakwood’s ministries.
• Oversee all staff, fostering a healthy team culture with a collaborative, unifying environment.
• Ensure God’s resources are stewarded well including finances, facilities, staff/volunteer hours and spiritual gifts.
• Along with the Elders, initiate church discipline and conflict resolution when needed in accordance with Scripture.

Pastoral Care

• Oversee and provide scripture-based, pastoral counseling and train others to assist.
• Oversee and offer pastoral care to members, and our community, in times of need by providing comfort, wisdom and prayer.
• Develop and coach others to assist in the ministry of pastoral care.

Self Care

• Empowered by the Holy Spirit, maintain a humble, personal spiritual maturity with regular devotions and prayer, and extended time for study and retreat.
• Develop and model a discipline of health, rest, and balance in personal and vocational responsibilities.
• Develop a peer group who will pray, encourage, and challenge your personal growth.

Relationship

• Serve as a voting elder on the Elder team and an ex-officio member of all committees and teams.
• Model a regular practice of evangelism, engage with the community, advocate for missions, and build strong disciplemaking teams.
• Foster an approachable, unifying spirit with people from diverse traditions and preferences. Provide insight on EFCA’s and Oakwood’s culture.

Significant experience in quality preaching/teaching/communicating.

A minimum of 10 years ministry experience with 5 years as a strategic, senior leader managing a multi-staff team.

A desire to be in the role for at least 10 years with his primary focus and commitment on the leadership and care of Oakwood Church.

A Bachelor’s degree in Bible/Ministry with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) preferred.

Ordained in the EFCA, or willing to be ordained within three years of hire, and engaged in the greater EFCA life.