Pastor - Grand Avenue Baptist Church (Carterville, IL) - LancasterSearch
Carterville, IL 62918
About the Job
Grand Avenue Baptist Church (Carterville, IL) – Pastor
The Big Picture
Grand Avenue Baptist Church (facebook.com/grandavenuebaptistchurch/) is seeking a Pastor who will preach the Word of God and equip the Church for the work of the ministry. We are an American Baptist church affiliated with American Baptist Churches, USA. However, we are open to pastors of other denominations as long as they are theologically compatible.
Requirements
The Church
Our congregation represents many different walks of life, from full and part-time employment to retirement. We are homemakers, students, business owners, professionals, healthcare workers, sales associates, teachers, laborers, police officers, fire fighters and more. We range in age from less than one year to ninety-nine years. This includes married couples, single adults, widows, teens and children.
The heart of GABC is the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, All Scripture is God-breathed…. From the Sunday School to Sunday morning preaching and Wednesday night Bible study, the Bible takes center attention.
The Candidate
Grand Avenue Baptist Church is seeking a dedicated full-time pastor to provide spiritual leadership and pastoral care for its congregation of dedicated believers. This role requires a pastor who will inspire the congregation in worship, fellowship, and outreach to the community, and a pastor who will work faithfully to grow and strengthen the congregation. If you are called by God to preach His Holy Word and to love His wonderful people, you would be exceedingly blessed to Pastor GABC.
The Qualifications
- Ordained minister with a strong theological background and commitment to Christian values.
- Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
- Ability to relate to and engage with people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Strong organizational and administrative skills.
- Passion for community outreach and evangelism.
- Flexibility and adaptability to meet the evolving needs of the church.
Expectations
The Pastor’s duties include, but are not limited to:
- Serve as the spiritual head of the church.
- Faithfully conduct the worship services of the church with emphasis on
Biblically based preaching and teaching.
- Perform pastoral care among the members and constituents of the church.
- Supervise programs and services of the church.
- Serve as an ex-officio member of all active boards and committees.
- Be a participant in Carterville Ministerial Alliance and American Baptist Area IV.
- Maintain office hours and schedule home and hospitals visits.
Advantages
- Opportunity to make a lasting impact on a community in need of spiritual growth.
- Supportive and welcoming congregation.
- Vibrant and close-knit community with excellent schools, parks, and recreational
facilities.
- Access to a range of community events and cultural activities.
Community
Grand Avenue Baptist Church is located in Carterville, a small town of approximately 6,000 people in Southern Illinois.
Benefits
Compensation
Salary is negotiable based on experience, education, and pastoral background. Salary package includes Salary, Housing Allowance, and Social Security offset. The salary package range is $60,000 - $75,000. Benefits include Health Reimbursement Allowance, Vacation, and Employer Contribution to M & M Retirement.
The Process
Please look over this job description and the church’s Facebook Page. Along with your resume please answer these questions:
Why do you believe that you might be a good fit as the Pastor at GABC?
Describe your experiences in ministry and how you may be qualified to serve as the Pastor of GABC?
In just a few sentences please give a summary of your theology and how that is in line with the doctrine of GABC?
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