From the profile submitted by Highland Baptist:
Highland Baptist Church Ministerial Profile
The search committee realizes that no candidate is likely to possess all of the following qualifications and abilities. However, taken as a whole, they present a picture of the committee’s expectations, and candidates will be assessed according to how closely they embody these expectations. The committee has established no specific standard for career track or length of professional experience, believing that arbitrarily imposed requirements do not advance the church’s commitment to an inclusive process.
Senior Pastor Responsibilities
- Plan and conduct regular and special services of worship in collaboration with the Minister of Music and Worship; prepare and deliver sermons; lead in observance of ordinances.
- Minister to members in times of special need.
- Visit members and prospects.
- Conduct counseling sessions; perform wedding ceremonies; conduct funerals.
- Serve as the lead in planning, coordinating and evaluating the total program of the church, including operations and finance.
- Work with Deacons, Ministry Council and other lay leaders to do the work of the church.
- Lead collaboratively and provide supervision to all pastoral staff.
- Cooperate with associational, state and denominational leaders in matters of mutual interest and concern; represent the church in matters of civic interest.
Leadership & Philosophy of Ministry
- Leads the spiritual growth of the church and guides it in its discovery and fulfillment of its calling and mission. Proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- The successful candidate will be inclusive in their theology, and it is imperative that they be welcoming and affirming to all people.
- The successful candidate will be a supportive visionary who leads the equipping and inspiring of the congregation to be an active part of the church’s ministry.
- Highland Baptist Church encourages staff to have a healthy work and life balance that fosters self-care. The successful candidate will embrace this personally and empower the ministerial staff to do the same.
- The candidate will demonstrate a commitment to local church ministry.
Theological Orientation
- The successful candidate will articulate an understanding of and commitment to a progressive Christian theology.
- Highland Baptist Church has a commitment to being “doers of the word,” so the ideal candidate would express a calling to work for social justice and inclusivity of marginalized communities and persons.
- The candidate will demonstrate a theological humility that recognizes the wide range of Christian traditions and acknowledge there is a mystery to our faith and human limitations to understanding the Divine.
- The candidate will demonstrate thorough Biblical knowledge.
Community Engagement
- The successful candidate will lead and collaborate with the ministerial staff and ministry groups to create a presence in Louisville that promotes social justice in an active way.
- We expect the new pastor will have a justice-oriented approach that will combine our existing programs with new ideas to focus the church’s power and evoke change in the world around us.
Baptist Identity and Heritage
- The successful candidate will have a developed understanding of and appreciation for the broad traditions of Baptist heritage.
- The successful candidate will have a commitment to the traditional Baptist freedoms such as liberty of conscience, autonomy of the local church, and the separation of church and state.
Minimum Qualifications
- A Master of Divinity degree
- Ordained as a Christian minister
- Experience working as an associate pastor or senior pastor at a multi-staff church with supervision experience
- A combination of education and experience may be substituted for these qualifications if expertise is demonstrated.
Interested parties should submit a cover letter, resume, and philosophy of ministry via email to pastorsearch@hbclouisville.org
View Highland Baptist Church’s Profile HERE.