Senior/Lead Pastor

Position Summary
Nashville Church of the Nazarene is seeking a Christ-centered, relational, and visionary Senior Pastor to lead our congregation into its next season of ministry. The Senior Pastor serves as the primary spiritual leader of the church, providing biblical preaching, pastoral care, leadership development, and strategic direction while working alongside the church board, ministry leaders, and volunteers.

We are looking for a pastor who loves people, values discipleship, embraces community engagement, and is committed to helping people seek Jesus, know God deeply, grow together in faith, and go out to spread the Gospel.

The Senior Pastor will lead with humility, integrity, and spiritual maturity while equipping the congregation to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ and active disciple-makers in their families, workplaces, and communities.

About Our Church
Nashville Church of the Nazarene is a welcoming, multi-generational congregation located in Nashville, Michigan, in the heart of Barry County. We are a rural church with a strong sense of community and approximately 60–70 people in weekly worship attendance.

Our church offers ministries for children, youth, men, women, and adults and seeks to build authentic relationships that lead people closer to Christ. While we enjoy the benefits of small-town living, we are conveniently located within driving distance of Grand Rapids, Lansing, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, and other West Michigan communities.

Our Mission
Seek Jesus. Know God Deeply. Grow Together in Faith. Go Out to Spread the Gospel.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Preaching & Spiritual Leadership
– Prepare and deliver biblically grounded, Christ-centered sermons that effectively communicate God’s Word.
– Provide spiritual leadership for the congregation through prayer, discipleship, teaching, and personal example.
– Ensure doctrinal integrity and theological alignment throughout all church ministries.
– Lead worship services and special services in collaboration with ministry leaders and volunteers.
– Foster a culture of prayer, spiritual growth, evangelism, and disciple-making.
– Cast vision that aligns with the mission and values of Nashville Church of the Nazarene.

2. Vision & Strategic Leadership
– Work collaboratively with the Church Board to discern and implement God’s vision for the future of the church.
– Lead strategic planning and ministry development efforts.
– Identify opportunities for spiritual growth, community engagement, and church health.
– Help create a culture of unity, accountability, excellence, and mission-focused ministry.
– Regularly communicate vision, priorities, and ministry goals to the congregation and church leadership.

3. Leadership Development
– Recruit, equip, mentor, and encourage ministry leaders and volunteers.
– Develop pathways that help people grow as disciples and disciple-makers.
– Provide oversight and support to ministry teams and staff.
– Identify and develop emerging leaders within the congregation.
– Foster healthy communication, teamwork, and collaboration among ministry leaders.
– Demonstrate the ability to lead both relationally and organizationally in a small-to-mid-sized church setting.

4. Pastoral Care & Shepherding
– Shepherd and care for the congregation through life’s joys, challenges, and transitions.
– Provide pastoral counseling, spiritual guidance, and prayer support as appropriate.
– Conduct weddings, funerals, baptisms, membership classes, and other pastoral responsibilities.
– Visit and support individuals and families during times of illness, crisis, grief, and celebration.
– Develop and oversee systems of care that utilize both staff and volunteer leaders to minister effectively to the congregation.

5. Community Engagement & Outreach
– Represent the church within the Nashville and Barry County communities.
– Build positive relationships with local schools, organizations, community leaders, and neighboring churches.
– Encourage and participate in outreach initiatives that help people encounter Christ.
– Lead the congregation in local and global missions consistent with the values of the Church of the Nazarene.
– Promote a culture of invitation, hospitality, and community impact.

6. Administration & Organizational Leadership
– Work with the Church Board to ensure responsible stewardship of church finances, facilities, and resources.
– Assist in budget planning and long-range ministry planning.
– Provide oversight and leadership to church staff and ministry teams.
– Ensure compliance with denominational policies, local church governance, and applicable legal requirements.
– Submit regular ministry updates and reports to the Church Board.
– Promote effective ministry systems and healthy organizational practices that support the church’s mission.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Spiritual & Character Qualifications
– Demonstrates a vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Exhibits the biblical qualifications for pastoral leadership as outlined in 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5.
– Supports and lives consistently with the doctrines, values, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene.
– Models humility, integrity, emotional maturity, servant leadership, and personal holiness.
– Possesses strong interpersonal skills, including empathy, communication, conflict resolution, and team-building.
– Demonstrates a genuine love for people and a passion for helping others grow in their faith.

2. Ministry Qualifications
– Ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene preferred.
– Licensed minister actively pursuing ordination in the Church of the Nazarene will be considered.
– Minimum of three years of ministry leadership experience required.
– Previous Senior Pastor experience preferred but not required.
– Demonstrated effectiveness in preaching, leadership development, discipleship, and pastoral ministry.
– Ability to lead, motivate, and equip both staff and volunteers.

3. Education
– Bachelor’s degree in Ministry, Biblical Studies, Theology, or a related field preferred.
– Equivalent ministry experience and demonstrated effectiveness may be considered in lieu of formal education.
– Graduate theological education is valued but not required.

Desired Qualities
The ideal candidate will be:

– Christ-centered and spiritually mature.
– Relational, approachable, and people-oriented.
– A strong communicator and effective preacher.
– Passionate about discipleship and spiritual formation.
– Collaborative in leadership style while providing clear direction.
– Committed to community engagement and outreach.
– Adaptable and willing to lead the church through future growth opportunities.

Compensation & Benefits
Compensation package will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and denominational standing.

Benefits include:

– Church-provided parsonage that is well-maintained, move-in ready, and located within the local community.
– Paid vacation and time away benefits consistent with church policy.
– Continuing education and professional development opportunities.
– Ministry expense reimbursement and other benefits as approved by the Church Board.

Additional compensation and benefit details will be discussed during the interview process.

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following:

– Resume
– Cover Letter
– Personal testimony and ministry philosophy
– Links to at least two recent sermon videos or recordings
– Three ministry or professional references

Applications should be submitted to:

Melissa at:
churchoffice@nashnazmi.com

Applications will be reviewed as they are received until the position is filled.

Our Prayer
We believe God is already at work in our church and community. We are prayerfully seeking a pastor who will help us build upon our foundation, lead us with wisdom and humility, and equip us to faithfully fulfill our mission:

Seek Jesus. Know God Deeply. Grow Together in Faith. Go Out to Spread the Gospel.