Job advertisement - full-time Pastor

Sandy Bay Baptist Church (SBBC) is seeking a full-time Pastor. The initial call will be for a period of three years, with the possibility of renewal.

LOCATION. Sandy Bay is a suburb of Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania (Australia). The University of Tasmania's largest campus is located in Sandy Bay, within walking distance of the church. SBBC occupies a strategic location on the main road of Sandy Bay's commercial district, is a short walk from the centre of Hobart, and is easily accessible by public transport.

PROFILE. Average attendance at SBBC is currently 30 per week. Congregation demographics are diverse, and due to the church's location and accessibility, a number of congregants commute from outside the immediate vicinity.

The church's Statement of Faith is attached. SBBC can broadly be described as a conservative, evangelical, missions-focused church. SBBC has a strong desire to be used of God to win hearts to Christ in Hobart. For a more detailed profile of the church and community, see the background information.

ROLE.

Spiritual leadership:

• Responsible for proclaiming and teaching God's Word during Sunday worship services; lead observance of the Lord's Table, and mid-week Bible study.
• Lead and encourage congregants to grow in spiritual maturity and understanding of God's Word.
• Lead the church in becoming a house of prayer; encourage individual prioritisation of prayer.

Pastoral leadership:

• Lead and co-ordinate pastoral ministries, including counselling and visitation, and encourage the congregation to show love and concern for one another.
• Encourage and equip members to take active roles in ministry, delegating wherever appropriate.

Missions leadership:

• Lead and train the congregation in personal evangelism, encouraging outreach to the unsaved.
• Suggest, implement, and oversee programs to reach the unchurched and demonstrate Jesus' love.
• Motivate interest in, and support of, national and international missions and missionaries.

Administration:

• Chair members' and deacons' meetings.
• Play a key role in the development/review of church strategy, e.g. ministry plan, mission statement.

Other:

• Strive to live a life consistent with that of a spiritual leader. Includes consistent devotion to prayer, Bible study, and meditation; dedication to and active leadership of family; and spiritual accountability.
• Embrace continuing professional development, including keeping up-to-date with pastoral resources, societal trends, and peer fellowships/networks.

Due to the present size of the church, there is likely to be ample time for the Pastor to pursue ministries suited to his gifts and interests, which lead to congregational growth not only numerically but also spiritually.

QUALIFICATIONS. The man who accepts a call to SBBC must be acting subject to a divine calling (Acts 13:2), and must meet the scriptural criteria of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Additionally, the new Pastor must:

• Have successfully completed a course of study at a Bible college or seminary with a similar Statement of Faith to that of Sandy Bay Baptist Church.
• Possess a sound understanding of, and commitment to, Baptist doctrine and principles.
• Be capable of formulating and delivering expository sermons.
• Have a heart for pastoral ministry, desiring to lead, care for and protect the entire flock at Sandy Bay. This is embodied in personal qualities such as tact; patience; ability to empathise with congregants from a wide variety of socio-economic, demographic, and experiential backgrounds.
• Exhibit a servant's attitude, directing glory to God rather than himself.
• Have an overall zeal to win others for Christ, exhibited by energy to lead the work, develop new ministries, and the ability to include others in ministry participation.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication.
• Be of strong moral character, committed to upholding the highest ethical standards.
• Have a solid understanding of Australian culture, practices and norms.

SALARY. SBBC adheres to the Baptist Union of Tasmania's recommendations for Pastoral compensation. This is currently approximately $63,000 (Australian dollars, gross including allowances, depending on experience), plus 9% superannuation. The latest Baptist Union schedule will be provided upon request. A relocation assistance package is available.

SELECTION. Applications are being considered as they are received. The 'Guide for applicants' contains instructions for applying.

If you have any questions, please email pastorsearch@sbbc.net.
You may also call (03) 6231 1027 (within Australia) or +61 3 6231 1027 (elsewhere). Revised 6 September 2011