Senior Pastor Search

Chatham Baptist Church, located in the quaint town of Chatham, VA, is seeking a full-time senior pastor to lead our congregation whole-heartedly, preach and teach with kindness and love, and disciple and shepherd us as we serve our church, our neighbors and our community. 

Chatham Baptist is a historic church with deep roots in a small community whose membership ranges from preschool age to retired members with an active Sunday attendance of 60 (post-COVID). 

We are seeking a pastor to lead us into the next chapter of our history who preaches and teaches the Word faithfully; provides pastoral care and counsel to those in need; disciples our church members through teaching and training so that together, we may share the Gospel to the lost and unchurched. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Provide spiritual leadership and pastoral care to the congregation, fostering a culture of faith, love, and service.
2. Develop and deliver engaging, Biblically-based weekly sermons during worship services, as well as on special occasions and events.
3. Plan and lead services, collaborating with the worship leader to ensure that services are meaningful and spiritually enriching.
4. Provide pastoral care for members of the congregation, including visiting the sick, counseling those in need, and offering support during times of crisis.
5. Facilitate and encourage spiritual growth and discipleship through the development and implementation of small group ministries, Bible studies, and other educational programs.
6. Work with church leadership and staff to establish and execute a vision and strategic plan for the church’s growth and leadership development.
7. Engage and build relationships within the local community, participating in outreach and mission activities, and collaborating with other organizations to address community needs.
8. Perform other pastoral duties, including weddings, funerals, baptisms, and dedications, as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. A deep commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. A master of divinity from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
3. A minimum of 6+ years of pastoral experience in a similar role, with a proven track record of effective leadership, ministry development, and community outreach.
4. Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to connect with a diverse congregation and adapt to various ministry contexts.
5. Strong leadership skills, with a passion for empowering others and fostering a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
6. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, organize events, and work effectively under pressure.
7. A heart for pastoral care and the ability to provide compassionate and empathetic support to congregation members in times of need.

At Chatham Baptist, we value a worship time of learning, reflection, prayer, and praise. We prefer services built around liturgy and hymns. We do realize that in order for our church to grow, we will need to evolve but we also feel that our worship style and key traditions are helpful ways to remind us of God’s faithfulness in the past, present and into the future.

Founded in 1857, Chatham Baptist Church considers itself Virginia Baptists and Global Baptists. Through the Baptist General Association of Virginia, we work together with other Virginia Baptist churches to help others and to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world. We also support the Baptist World Alliance, and the International and North American Missions Boards. Locally, we support the ministries of the Pittsylvania Baptist Association. We also partner with other local and regional non-profits with whom we share common causes such as The Gideons, the Northern Pittsylvania Food Center, Third Chance Ministries in Danville, and YoungLife in our area.

Please submit resumes to pastorsearch.chatham@gmail.com. Resumes will be accepted until June 30, 2024.