Pastoral Candidate Profile Overview · Web viewThe Lead Pastor must have a strong commitment to the Word of God and to seeing non-believers come to know and grow in Christ. A seminary

Lead Pastor Candidate Profile

First Baptist Church45 Woburn Street

Reading, MA 01867www.fbcreading.org

ContentsPastoral Candidate Profile Overview........................................................2

Instructions For Lead Pastor Applicants...................................................3

Pastoral Profile Checklist..........................................................................4

Pastoral Skills Ranking..............................................................................7

Pastoral Candidate Questionnaire...........................................................8

http://www.fbcreading.org/

Pastoral Candidate Profile Overview

First Baptist Church of Reading (FBC) is a multi-generational, somewhat ethnically-diverse, Christ-centered, evangelical church of 200 members located in the New England town of Reading, MA. FBC envisions an outwardly-focused ministry centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ to families of various generational stages and ethnic backgrounds in the greater Reading area.

The next lead pastor of FBC will be a man who is a visionary leader who can work in a multi-generational and culturally stable environment. Some lead pastoral experience is preferable but not necessary. What is necessary is that the next pastor be a patient, proven leader with a pastor’s heart. He must have a history of being a team player and a team leader who is willing to empower, equip, and release the congregants to do the work of the ministry. The Lead Pastor must have a strong commitment to the Word of God and to seeing non-believers come to know and grow in Christ. A seminary education, or the near completion of a seminary education, is required. It would be helpful to have some understanding of the culture and climate of New England.

The next pastor will be responsible for implementing the Simple Church vision and values discovered and developed by the Leadership Team and congregation during the interim period. An understanding of and willingness to practice the policy governance as described in the Church Profile is important. All boards, committees, organizations, and ministries are accountable (directly or indirectly) to the pastor, who is accountable to the Leadership Team, of which he is a voting member. A Christ-centric approach to preaching and ministry is required.

Lead Pastor Candidate Profile 2

Instructions For Lead Pastor Applicants

There are three sections of our application:1) Pastoral Profile Checklist2) Pastoral Skills Checklist3) Pastoral Candidate Questionnaire

Please read the instructions for each section and respond accordingly.

In addition to completing the three sections of our application:A. Include a cover letter along with your resume and personal doctrinal

statement. B. Also provide your personal core values and/or mission statement (if

you have one) C. Email the completed application and attachments to

[email protected] we prefer a digital copy, you may send a hard-copy to:

First Baptist Church Attn. Pulpit Committee45 Woburn StreetReading, MA 01867

If you have questions about the contents of this packet, please email [email protected] No phone calls please.

Thank you for your interest!


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Pastoral Profile Checklist(1 Tim 3:1-10; Titus 1:6-9):

Please select the response that best describes your life and ministry.

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☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ I live a Gospel-centered life.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐I acknowledge that justification and sanctification are by grace alone through faith alone in Christ's righteousness alone, thus avoiding religious moralism while fully embracing the grace of God (1 Pet 5:12; 2 Tim 2:1; 1 Cor 15:10; Titus 2:11-12).

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐I have a proven record of being a team player and team builder in past ministries as demonstrated by observable teams that have been started and led.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

I love people as an under-shepherd and a demonstrated awareness that the church is Christ’s bride. I care for people in a nurturing and developmental way, not lording it over them but using authority and position for the benefit of people’s health and growth – both in the Gospel and in life skills (2 Cor 1:24; 1 Peter 5:2-4).

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐I am committed to being an equipping pastor rather than engaging in solo ministry demonstrated by a list of names (when asked) of people who have gone into or been effective in leadership functions in churches where the applicant has ministered (Eph 4:12).

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐I have a demonstrated commitment to emotional health that includes personal humility, an honest understanding of personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as acceptance of limits, and the ability to express oneself in an emotionally healthy way.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐I have demonstrated commitment to personal and professional accountability within the local congregation demonstrated by a list of names (when asked) of people who have journeyed with me in mutual accountable relationships.


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☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ I am committed to intentional personal and congregational spiritual formation as demonstrated by the practice of discipleship.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐I am committed to life-long learning demonstrated by ongoing learning patterns including a wide range of reading interests, maintaining active and intentional mentoring, and a completed seminary education or graduate degree.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ I have experience in family ministry with the desire to reach nesting-stage families.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐I am willing to encourage people who are on a journey towards a relationship with God and willing to allow people to participate in the life of the church before they believe.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐I have a demonstrated willingness to serve the larger community beyond the church. Intentionally making time to connect relationally while actively considering the spiritual needs of the larger community. Not hostile towards those who oppose Christ (1 Peter 2:15).

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ I am well-spoken and positive in personal and public venues with a good crowd presence, not socially awkward or excessively introverted.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ I am able to work with people who hold both Arminian and Calvinistic theologies regardless of my own conviction.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐I preach expository Gospel-centered messages in an interesting and relevant fashion while demonstrating thoughtful exegesis with a demonstrated understanding of historic Christian doctrine.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ I am able to tolerate the moderate use of alcoholic beverages by church attendees even if personal convictions prohibit their use.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐I am committed to building biblical community as demonstrated by past participation in leading and training leaders for small group ministry and in the ability to listen well to others.

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐I am experienced at conflict resolution as demonstrated by dealing with conflict in the past on church and family fronts. I am currently dealing with any unresolved conflict.


☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ I am comfortable using both contemporary praise songs and traditional hymns during worship regardless of my own preference.


Please select the response that best describes you.

Yes No☐ ☐ Significant pastoral experience.

☐ ☐ Either grew-up in New England or currently lives here.


Pastoral Skills Ranking

Please rank yourself in order with the following skills from 1-8 (with 1 being your strongest and 8 being your weakest)

Preaching/Teaching: [Choose an item.]

Administration: [Choose an item.]

Evangelism: [Choose an item.]

Team Building: [Choose an item.]

Vision Casting: [Choose an item.]

Pastoral Care/Counseling: [Choose an item.]

Leadership: [Choose an item.]

Prayer: [Choose an item.]


Pastoral Candidate Questionnaire1. Candidate’s Name: Click or tap here to enter text.

2. Wife’s name: Click or tap here to enter text.

3. Address: Click or tap here to enter text.

4. Marital status (include wedding date):Click or tap here to enter text.

a. If married, how did you meet your wife? Click or tap here to enter text.

b. If married, what role, if any, do you expect your wife to have at the church? What is the gifting of your wife? How does she currently support you? How do you currently support your family?Click or tap here to enter text.

5. Children: (names and birthdates): Click or tap here to enter text.

6. Have you been divorced? If yes, when was it and what were/are the circumstances? Click or tap here to enter text.

7. If yes, who petitioned the court and on what grounds was the marriage dissolved? Click or tap here to enter text.

8. Current ministry assignment:Click or tap here to enter text.

10. Do you rent or own a home? Click or tap here to enter text.

How long have you been at your current address? Click or tap here to enter text.

11. Is there something that would come up in a background/credit check that you would like to explain? Specific permission to run the background check will be requested at the appropriate time in the future. YES ☐ or NO ☐Click or tap here to enter text.


12. Past ministry assignments (List name, place, and tenure of formal and informal ministry assignments. Give a short summary of how you served). Click or tap here to enter text.

13. Education and Training: List Colleges, Seminaries with degrees conferred and dates. Please also include significant seminars you have participated in: Click or tap here to enter text.

14. How did you come to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Click or tap here to enter text.

15. Briefly describe your personal call to ministry: Click or tap here to enter text.

16. What are your spiritual gifts? Click or tap here to enter text.

17. What kinds of acquired skills do you have? Click or tap here to enter text.

18. What are your current personal growth areas or weaknesses? Click or tap here to enter text.

19. What are your desires and dreams for ministry? Click or tap here to enter text.

20. What do you currently do to nurture your relationship with God? Click or tap here to enter text.

21. What books have you read over the past six months?Click or tap here to enter text.

22. What person in church history (not any biblical figure please) has influenced you more than any other and why? (e.g. Augustine, Calvin, Luther, etc.):

Click or tap here to enter text.

23. Describe the last significant conflict in your ministry. How was it resolved?Click or tap here to enter text.

24. How are you currently equipping people for ministry? Click or tap here to enter text.

25. What process(es) do you currently have in place for leadership development?



26. Describe your view of the role of music and preaching in the worship service for a local church:


27. Describe the relationship you have with non-Christians and how you move them towards a relationship with Christ?


28. Describe relationships with other men who contribute to your personal growth and accountability:


29. Describe your hobbies and interests: Click or tap here to enter text.

30. What life experiences have had a profound influence on you and why?Click or tap here to enter text.

31. What doctrinal issues are important to you and why?Click or tap here to enter text.

32. How would you characterize the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life? Click or tap here to enter text.

33. How would you characterize the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your leadership (including preaching)?


34. Please state your position regarding a literal heaven and hell, and view on eternal security.


35. Please state your position regarding how grace works in a person’s life for both justification and sanctification.


36. How many hours do you spend in sermon preparation and describe how you work on preparation for a message?



37. Describe your process for determining sermon series. Please include your preference for how far in advance you prefer to plan.


38. How is your current ministry reaching into the community? Click or tap here to enter text.

39. Tell us about a small group you are currently leading. If you are not leading a small group now, tell us the last time you led one and what you did.


40. Considering what you know about this church and the geographical region it is located in, why would you want to come and pastor here?


41. Is there anything else you would like to share with us? Click or tap here to enter text.


Pastoral Candidate Profile Overview · Web viewThe Lead Pastor must have a strong commitment to the Word of God and to seeing non-believers come to know and grow in Christ. A seminary

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