Blue Ridge Christian Church is a Christ-centered, Bible-teaching, Restoration Movement-based congregation located in the beautiful, growing Asheville region of western North Carolina. We are seeking a Lead Pastor who will provide spiritual leadership through faithful preaching, shepherding care, and equipping the church for ministry.
Our mission is to reach up in worship, reach in through discipleship, and reach out in service and evangelism. We desire a leader of strong biblical conviction, Christlike character, and a servant’s heart for people and community engagement.
Overview: The Lead Pastor is responsible for teaching and preaching biblically rooted sermons, providing spiritual leadership, engaging the congregation with biblical truth and helping to foster a strong community of believers. This role requires a deep commitment to biblical teachings and a passion for helping people grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Preaching and teaching God’s Word
- Providing pastoral care and leadership
- Equipping and discipling members
- Engaging the local community with the Gospel
Sermon Preparation and Delivery:
- Prepare and deliver engaging, biblically based sermons that challenge people to accept Christ as Lord, be obedient to Christian baptism and pursue personal maturity in the faith
- Incorporate scripture, relevant personal experiences and address contemporary issues in sermons as needed
- Create and maintain a preaching calendar aligned with the church’s life and purpose
Spiritual Leadership:
- Foster an overall environment of spiritual formation and discipleship- making, developing and multiplying disciples of Jesus Christ
- Seek to promote the leadership skills and spiritual health of staff, elders and ministry leaders
- Support and oversee groups that gather for the purpose of prayer, study, growth and interpersonal connection
- Provide spiritual guidance and counseling to church members
- Maintain an overarching “concern for the church” (2 Cor. 11:28)
Community Engagement:
- Build and maintain relationships within the church and surrounding area.
- Participate in outreach efforts that serve the community and the church’s mission
- Collaborate in planning church events and activities.
Administrative Duties:
- Assist with the planning and execution of church services and special events
- Communicate effectively with church leadership and the congregation regarding the planning and implementation of upcoming events
- Ensure the maintenance of accurate church records, such as membership, attendance and pastoral care
Personal Development:
- Engage in ongoing ministerial education and personal spiritual growth
- Stay informed on relevant issues affecting the church and community
Pastoral Care:
- Ensure visitation of shut-ins, hospitalized members and newcomers
- Perform funerals and weddings as needed
- Be attentive to the spoken and unspoken needs of members and attenders of the congregation
- Encourage and equip church members to shepherd one another
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated commitment to Scripture
- Experience in pastoral ministry and leadership
- Commitment to the teachings of the Bible, and tenants of the Restoration Movement
- Active prayer life and personal devotion to God
- An ability to relate and communicate effectively with others in a spirit of authentic humility and ready teachability
- Relevant education, preferably a degree in theology, divinity or ministry
- Previous preaching and pastoring experience in a church setting
- Commitment to servant leadership by example
- Ability to connect with a diverse congregation and foster a welcoming environment
Working Conditions:
- Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends as needed
- A supportive and encouraging church family
- The Lead Pastor will be nurtured and shepherded by the Elders and Pastor Relations Team, and be accountable to the Elders for his daily care of the church
- We are also open to a candidate interested in bi-vocational opportunities
To inquire or apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume with complete contact information included along with a cover letter demonstrating interest in the position of Lead Pastor for Blue Ridge Christian Church in Mills River, North Carolina. It may be addressed to:
Pastor Search Team Chairperson, Gordon Raymond, at [email protected] , or
147 Oren Drive
Mills River, NC 28759