Associate Pastor

DENOMINATION: SBC

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 600

Meet Winter Garden’s First Baptist Church: 

Founded in 1888 as a congregation in Ocoee, Florida, First Baptist Church of Winter Garden has a rich history of faith and community. In 1896, the church relocated to Winter Garden, where a new building was dedicated, and the church was renamed. Under the guidance of several dedicated pastors, First Baptist Winter Garden has experienced significant growth. In particular, the past 17 years under Pastor Tim Grosshans have seen remarkable expansion. This includes the establishment of a thriving second campus in Horizon West, the founding of two schools (Winter Garden Academy and Foundation Academy) serving young families, the development of new ministries, and substantial renovations to the downtown location. Today, First Baptist Winter Garden remains committed to its mission of effective and life-changing ministry within the region.

About the Associate Pastor:

The ideal candidate for the position of Associate Pastor will be someone who uses their spiritual gifts to minister to all who attend First Baptist Winter Garden. They will be responsible to the First Baptist Church for providing spiritual and administrative leadership in all aspects of church life.

Working directly with the Senior Pastor, he will support the entirety of the church’s vision, purpose, and various ministries. They will have a demonstrated track record of leadership, preaching, and growing a ministry. The ideal person for this role will have a growing relationship with Christ, be a leader of leaders, and be a consummate team player.

The Associate Pastor’s Responsibilities Include: 

• Serves as the second-most senior position in the leadership of the church.
• Preaches the Word of God in each service as requested and leads in observing the ordinances.
• Participates in weekly staff meetings to assist in coordinating responsibilities for shepherding the whole body.
• Assists in outreach and visitation to accomplish growth spiritually and numerically.
• Has a particular focus on growing the South campus.
• Leads counseling sessions, performs wedding ceremonies, and conducts funerals as necessary.
• Assists in leading church ministry teams in planning, directing, coordinating, and evaluating the total program of the church.
• Serves on the executive staff team consisting of: Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor, Business Administrator, and Worship Pastor.
• Cooperates with associational, state, and other denominational leaders in matters of mutual interest and concern; serves in denominational positions when appropriate.
• Represents the church in community and civic matters and keeps the church informed about matters that affect its life and work.
• Always seeks to be a humble Christ-like leader.
• Financially supports the work of the ministries of First Baptist Church Winter Garden by faithfully giving and by maintaining wise stewardship and personal finances.

What You Bring: 

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

Education & Experience

• A Master’s degree is required from an accredited evangelical seminary in the SBC tradition.
• At least 7-10 years of proven experience in pastoral ministry in a Southern Baptist Church.

Personal Characteristics & Qualifications

• The Associate Pastor shall be a committed Christian whose life will demonstrate the Biblical qualifications of pastor/bishop as outlined in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-10.
• His beliefs shall be consistent with The Baptist Faith and Message, and will exemplify the teachings of the New Testament.
• He will testify to a clear sense of God’s call to the pastoral ministry and a strong sense of God’s leadership to pastor this church.
• Ability to delegate, coupled with an ability to work independently
• Adaptable while being a highly relational leader
• Counseling skills
• Demonstrates the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians5:22-23)
• Effective preacher/teacher
• Encourager/motivator with a  sense of humor

What It’s Like to Live in Winter Garden, FL: 

Winter Garden, just west of Orlando and its theme parks, is known for its old Florida style and charm and is a great place to visit in Central Florida.

The historic downtown, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, is a favorite destination, with shops and restaurants situated along the award-winning West Orange Trail, part of the 250-mile Coast to Coast (C2C) Connector Trail across Central Florida. If you’re a cycling enthusiast, this is the place for you.

Winter Garden is the cultural capital of West Orange County, with live performances at the Garden Theatre, live music throughout the downtown on the weekends, and visual art at the SoBo Art Gallery. Saturdays are bustling with the award-winning Winter Garden Farmers Market, offering a large selection of vendors from locally grown produce and baked goods to homemade soaps and fresh flowers and live entertainment each week.

Winter Garden, nestled alongside beautiful Lake Apopka, is a former citrus town incorporated in 1908 and is home to more than 47,000 residents. It embodies a wealth of historical and natural assets. Visit the charming little city where good things grow!