For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11

Molong District Baptist Church Mission and Vision

Our mission is to make, mature, mobilise, and multiply followers of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20).

Our vision is to see hundreds of people coming to Jesus and living a new life for him in our local area, region, and beyond.

Molong District Baptist Church (MDBC) is an evangelical church that has been richly blessed by the Lord Jesus. In a time of general church decline, MDBC is experiencing growth, and currently sees an average of 140 people at church each week including many young families and youth. Up to 25 children attend Sunday School and our Friday night Youth Group has grown to regularly exceed 25 youths – many of which are from outside our church family.

We are united in our commitment to gatherings shaped by God’s word and have been well provisioned with excellent preaching and music, engaging both head and heart with opportunities to teach, admonish and encourage one another, both formally and informally. We are deeply committed to caring for each other in our church family and spurring our brothers and sisters on to live deep in God’s word, with over 100 people actively engaged in various mid-week bible study groups. 

We have a heart to see the gospel proclaimed and the Holy Spirit at work to bring people into God’s kingdom and grow them as followers of Jesus. God has blessed us through amazing engagement with our community seen through Playgroup, SRE across four schools in the district, Youth Group, Molong Pantry, and a variety of annual outreach events. MDBC has a positive healthy association with Baptist World Aid, CMS, KCC, Reach Australia, Scripture Union, Ridgecrest, One Day, as well as other local churches.

For further information on MDBC please refer to our Church Handbook.

The Role

The role of Senior Pastor includes:

• To be responsible for the oversight and pastoral ministry of the church family alongside the Elders and Leadership Team in accordance with God’s word (1 Peter 5:1-4).
• To teach and encourage and equip us from the Scriptures.
• To foster a healthy prayer life within the church family, both individually and corporately.
• To build maturity in MDBC so that fellowship, care, and relationships within MDBC are healthy.
• To call us into a deeper desire for spiritual development.
• To enable and equip us to bring others into the Kingdom.

Primary Responsibilities

Primary areas of responsibility (as he leads the Elders, Deacons, Church Staff and Ministry Leaders) include:

1. Ministry of the Word
   1. Be the primary elder responsible for preaching and teaching. Preaching most Sundays within the calendar year.
   2. Faithful, clear, and articulate exposition of the Bible.
   3. Partner with the Elders, lay preachers and visiting preachers to ensure sound doctrine is the basis for all preaching and teaching.
   4. Lead the Elders, Deacons, and Ministry Leaders from the Bible, to ensure sound doctrine is the basis for all ministries.
   5. Administer the ordinances of Baptism and Communion (The Lord’s Supper).
2. Prayer
   1. Spend regular time in personal prayer and devotions.
   2. Lead and participate in prayer with and for the ministries and attendees of the church.
   3. Disciple the congregation in the area of prayer.
   4. Conduct corporate prayer as a regular part of worship and ministry in the life of the church.
3. Leadership
   1. Lead, teach and equip MDBC from the Bible so as to equip the church for works of service.
   2. Build godly leaders to lead the ministries of MDBC.
   3. Plan and lead the Sunday Worship Service in collaboration with the church leadership, staff, and volunteers.
   4. Nurture the spiritual health of the church staff and volunteers.
   5. Be active in leading his own family into a relationship with Christ.
   6. Delegate responsibilities as appropriate.
   7. Identify, lead, and equip Elders, Deacons, Church Staff and Ministry Leaders to ensure they understand their role and are supported, qualified, and passionate about achieving their ministry objectives.
4. Evangelism and Discipleship
   1. Demonstrate a lifestyle of personal evangelism and discipleship, encourage, and equip the church to do the same.
   2. Support and encourage existing and future outreach ministries.
   3. Be committed to encouraging and supporting small group leaders as a key strategy for spiritual growth and discipleship. 
5. Pastoral Care
   1. Work collaboratively with the Elders to ensure that the spiritual, relational, and physical needs of the church family are being met.
   2. Build and maintain relationships with the congregation, community, and wider church relationships.
   3. Provide pastoral counselling to church members and refer on to professional services as required.
   4. Cultivate a culture of unity between church family, staff, and leadership.

Qualifications and Experience

• Be a man of Christian character and conviction with a deep love for Jesus and His Word. 
• 5 years’ experience in the role of Pastor/Associate Pastor of an Evangelical Church.
• Be an accredited Baptist Minister or have a graduate level certification from an approved Theological College. 
• Have proven ability to lead, equip and develop leaders in Christian ministry.
• Have completed the appropriate Safe Ministry Screening Form and Safe Church Training Requirements delivered by a recognised body (such as the Baptist NSW training or one approved by the NCCA safe church program).

Mandatory requirements 

• Be one who embodies grace and peace demonstrating spiritual maturity, stability and character as outlined in 1 Timothy 3: 1-7 and Titus 1: 5-9.
• Gifted in servant-leadership ministry, particularly regarding shepherding as outlined in 1 Peter 5: 1-4.
• Have a gift and passion for teaching and preaching the eternal, inerrant and unalterable Word of God as revealed in the Old and New Testaments.
• Ability to engage in prayerful self-reflection.
• Ability to build rapport and communicate in a clear and friendly way with a diverse range of people, be open transparent.
• Become a member of MDBC, relocate to the town of Molong, be part of the community and regularly attend MDBC church services. 
• Agree with and adhere to the MDBC constitution and ‘Statement of Beliefs.’
• Adherence to the MDBC Code of Conduct.
• Ability to properly handle confidential information in an appropriate and secure manner.
• Hold a current driver’s license, NSW Police Check and Working with Children Check.
• Comply with reporting of childhood and vulnerable adults abuses as a mandatory reporter.
• Be accessible and responsive to the church family. 
• Be teachable and be accountable to the church leadership. 
• Be part of bible study group. 

Remuneration and Support

This is a permanent full-time role and will be remunerated in line with the Baptist Association NSW and ACT recommendations as to Stipend and Wage Guidelines. A church house can be included as part of the remuneration package. 

The Senior Pastor will be provided administrative support from the Church Administration Officer. 

The role will include being part of a pastor mentor group with support from the WDBA Regional Pastor. Opportunities for professional development including attendance at conferences and training opportunities will be provided as appropriate.

Reviews

As a means of encouragement, transparency, understanding and development of the senior pastor and church family relationship, an initial review will be conducted 6 months from commencement and annually thereafter. 

Application/Enquiries

Please direct all applications and questions to the Pastoral Search Team at pastoralsearchteam@mdbc.org.au or phone 0413 638 797

To apply for this position please submit the following:

• A cover letter expressing your interest in and qualifications for the position. 
• Baptist NSW pastoral profile. (https://nswactbaptists.org.au/resources/pastoral-profile-pro-forma/).