Snapshot

Denomination: Non-Denominational

Weekly Attendance:  150

Location: Woodstock, IL

The Role: Senior Pastor

Meet Grace Fellowship Church:

Grace Fellowship Church embraces a contemporary worship style enriched with hymns that connect us to the timeless truths of the faith. Our preaching is expository, staying faithful to the original text of Scripture while making it relevant and applicable to the challenges of contemporary life. We strive to create an atmosphere where both the music and the message invite deep reflection, encourage spiritual growth, and foster a genuine connection with God. Through this balanced approach, we seek to honor both the rich tradition of the Church and the ever-present work of the Holy Spirit in today's world.

About the Senior Pastor:

The Senior Pastor will lead and shepherd Grace Fellowship Church by teaching and preaching the Bible, by protecting the church from false doctrine, and by directing its activities—including supervision of all staff as well as managing the operations of the church, as we make disciples who make disciples. 

The Senior Pastor Responsibilities Include: 

• Serve as the spiritual leader of the church.  
• Overseer the church staff—paid and volunteer.  
• Provide an overall vision for the direction of the ministry.  
• Counsel members and families on how to live biblically faithful lives.  
• Work with the Worship Leader to plan the worship services of the church.  
• Serve as a leader by example in personal discipleship, stewardship, and evangelism.  
• Preach expository sermons that are faithful to the text and relevant to the congregation.  
• Meet regularly with staff and other church leaders to disciple and train them in ministry.  
• Spend an appropriate amount of time in study and prayer in preparation for teaching opportunities.  
• Conduct weddings, funerals, and baptisms according to the doctrinal commitments of our church as needed.  
• Meet with the Elder Board on a regular basis to report on the spiritual, organizational, and financial health of the congregation.  
• Develop relationships with other churches and organizations in our community consistent with our church’s mission and values.

What You Bring: 

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Senior Pastor:

• A growing Christian faith and character. 
• Master of Theology or Master of Divinity. 
• Ordained and called to pastoral ministry. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Significant experience in and demonstrated proclivity toward leadership. 
• Demonstrated experience training and leading others in ministry activity. 
• An ability to work with people of varying ethnicities, socio-economic levels, and generations.
• A lifestyle congruent with the biblical requirements for leaders (1 Tim. 3:1-13; 2 Tim. 2; Titus 1:5-9).
• Full agreement with Grace Fellowship’s Constitution and Statement of Faith and a commitment to our values, mission and vision.

Other Qualities:

•  A strong visionary leader
•  Collaborates well with staff
•  A heart for the lost.
•   Outward focused
•  Holy and abandoned to God
•  Good steward who is financially literate
•  A sense of humor
•  Loves the Word of God
•  Gifted preacher/teacher and shepherd
•  High EQ

What it's Like to Live in Woodstock, IL: 

Woodstock is a small city (approx. 25,000) that is surrounded by a mix of other small cities and rural areas. We host one of the largest farmers markets in Illinois. We are within easy driving distance to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin as well as Chicago. We are also connected to Chicago by a commuter train. Our county has a large conservation district with many parks and recreation areas. There are also several hike/bike trails throughout the county. On the ministry front, Woodstock is a challenging place to do ministry. We have a Buddhist Temple, a Mormon and Jehovah's Witness presence, as well as a Unity Spiritual Center and several other liberal churches. Of the few Evangelical churches in Woodstock, we are the largest. On a typical Sunday morning <1% of the population of the city is in an Evangelical church in Woodstock.