Senior Pastor

Description

Immanuel Baptist Church is discerning who God is calling to join our staff as the next Senior Pastor. The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep faith and a proven track record of leadership development.  We are seeking a pastor who can work with our staff and lay leadership to identify, equip and empower volunteers and help those volunteers accomplish more than they otherwise would achieve. As the spiritual shepherd of the flock, we seek a man or woman who faithfully opens the Scriptures to the congregation and models both sound biblical interpretation and the practical application of God’s word.  As an example of God’s love, our pastor is expected to build loving relationships with people in the church across all generations and be a model of self-giving love for the congregation to emulate.

Overview of Church and Community

Located in North York, Immanuel Baptist Church is a medium sized church with attendance between 150 and 200 on a Sunday.  We celebrate a long history of ministry in the community, and our congregation reflects the diversity of our neighbourhood over the past three decades. We value both our historical roots and the cultural diversity that has shaped our congregation.  A well-educated and biblically literate congregation, the church is looking forward to cooperating with the Spirit to discern His call and engage our community in new ways.  About one third of the congregation is retirement age and many have been faithfully attending for 20 years or more. Simultaneously, the church has a strong children and youth program overseen by our full-time Youth and Family Pastor who has been faithfully building these ministries for 10 years.  Located near Seneca College, our church engages many international students, welcoming them into our worshipping community. The next Senior Pastor will guide a thoughtful and prayerful transition of leadership to the next generation while honoring the legacy of those who have faithfully served.

Church Purpose | Mission Statement

Purpose: “We choose to Belong Believe Become”.  We are a diverse group of people who belong to God and also to an authentic, loving community where we are known, valued, supported and encouraged. We believe that the Biblical message of Jesus as Saviour and Lord is both true and good news for all people. We encourage one another to be responsive to the work of the Holy Spirit and become all God created us to be.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Immanuel Baptist Church is seeking a candidate with a Master of Divinity Degree (at minimum) from an accredited institution. The successful candidate must hold or be willing to seek credentialing with the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec and must be eligible to work in Canada.

Role and Responsibilities

Worship
The Senior Pastor will collaborate with the Worship Director and Organist to plan blended worship for Sunday services. The Pastor will be the primary preacher and teacher, delivering biblically grounded, theologically sound, and pastorally relevant messages that model faithful interpretation and practical application of Scripture.

Equipping
The Senior Pastor will work with the lay leadership to equip people in the church to grow deeper in their faith and live that faith out in service. The Pastor will also work with lay leaders within our board structure to evaluate existing ministries and identify new ministry opportunities and oversee the spiritual direction of the church.

Caring
The Senior Pastor will work with the Congregational Care Committee to ensure appropriate pastoral care for those in need.  The Senior Pastor will intentionally cultivate relationships with individuals and families in the congregation, offering spiritual counsel, prayer and pastoral guidance while working with the Congregational Care Committee to ensure appropriate and compassionate care.

Leadership
The Senior Pastor will work with various lay leaders in the church to help those leaders provide appropriate support, development and accountability to the ministries of the church.  This will likely require two board meetings per month along with three or four staff meetings per month.  As a leader, the Senior Pastor will help other people accomplish more than they could otherwise achieve.

We believe the role of Senior Pastor is not to do all the ministry of the church personally, but to equip the people of God for the work of ministry.

Outreach
The Senior Pastor will guide the congregation in seeing God’s hand at work in the community and help the church engage the community where the Spirit leads. As part of the senior leadership of the church, the Senior Pastor will ensure the church never forgets its role as ambassadors of Christ to the world.

Preferred Skills

Sound leadership, emotional intelligence and relational skills.
Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
Experience worshiping in, teaching and leading a congregation that is culturally diverse.
Minimum 7 years pastoral experience.
Experience working in a multi-pastoral staff team ministry an asset.
Approachable, openness to different people and cultures.
Adaptable, flexible, open to new ideas, able to adjust to new situations.
Commitment to change and grow both personally and spiritually.
Commitment to our denomination, the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec, as well as our regional Association, Toronto Baptist Ministries.

Contact

Applications will only be accepted by email. Send a CBOQ Ministry Information Profile and cover letter to Show email We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.