Snapshot

Denomination: Southern Baptist

Weekly Attendance:  825

Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

The Role: Senior Pastor

Meet First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa:

First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa is a Southern Baptist Congregation that, for over 200 years, has been a community where those who follow Jesus can gather together to worship Him, invite others into a saving relationship with Him, and equip those in the Church to serve God faithfully—placing the needs of others first and sharing the gospel boldly.

We believe that the New Testament refers to the Church as the body of Christ and speaks of the church in two ways.  First, it speaks of the church as a local body of Christ in which believers are associated by faith and fellowship in the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ (Believers’ baptism and the Lord’s Supper), committed to His teachings, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.  Second, the New Testament speaks of the church universally as the body of Christ in all times and places.

Since its founding in January 1818, First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa has sought to reflect these truths in the context of downtown Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 

About the Senior Pastor:

The Senior Pastor serves the church by providing spiritual leadership to the congregation through preaching, teaching, vision-casting, and shared pastoral care to the Body of Christ through developing, organizing, training, empowering, and supporting members, leadership, and community at First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa as the congregation strives to live out its purpose to Magnify, Mature, Minister, and Multiply.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee generally will function in a climate-controlled environment.  The employee may occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions including periods of extreme cold or extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually mild.

The Senior Pastor's Responsibilities Include: 

• Develop, lead and implement the vision, resources, and pathway for shepherding the body of Christ towards consistent forward moving spiritual steps (Magnify, Mature, Minister, Multiply)

• Serve as the primary teacher of Scripture to the congregation by planning, leading and conducting vibrant worship services through preparation and delivery of sermons that proclaim the Word of God (Magnify, Mature, Minister)

• Observe church best practices and cooperate with the local association, Alabama state convention, and Southern Baptist Convention leadership in matters of mutual interest and concerns (Magnify, Mature)

• Articulate the vision and mission of First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa to the congregation and serve as the inspirational leader of the Church Leadership discipling the members to develop their spiritual growth (Magnify, Mature, Minister, Multiply)

• Lead, shepherd and develop the pastoral team and nurture relationships with other support staff (Magnify, Minister)

• Provide pastoral care, counseling and encouragement to the congregation through personal counseling, delegation to other church staff members, and referral to professional Christian counselors (Magnify, Minister)

• Encouraging God’s people in the fullness of Christ through church ceremonies, weddings, funerals, baptisms, and services (Magnify, Mature, Minister)

• Model the qualifications of a church leader by maintaining biblical integrity in all things through humility and putting the needs of others above one’s own (Magnify, Mature, Minister)

• Meet regularly with the Executive Pastor to help oversee First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa by directing and delegating programs, budgets, and facilities of the church through appropriate staff members and committees (Magnify, Mature)

• Represent the church by serving on appropriate committees or boards of the denomination and organizations in the community when time and opportunity allow (Magnify, Mature, Minister)

• Equip current and future leaders for ministry within the church (Magnify, Mature, Minister, Multiply)

• Attend and participate in all pastoral and staff meetings and retreats (Magnify, Mature)

• Commitment to participation in church activities, events, and teamwork resulting in the creation of positive impactful relationships (Magnify, Mature, Minister, Multiply)

• Perform ordinances of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism (Magnify, Minister)

• Seek to reconcile relationships and promote unity within the church (Magnify, Mature, Minister, Multiply)

• Contribute toward the development and execution of a fiscally responsible budget in accordance with the financial policies of FBCT (Magnify, Mature)

• Pursue personal growth and practice spiritual disciplines, practice tithing (Magnify, Mature)

• Impact First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa congregation, pastoral staff, visitors and the greater Tuscaloosa community by fostering love and edifying the Word of God through example, word and deed (Magnify, Mature, Minister, Multiply)

Primary Goals

• Lead the congregation and staff of First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa to fulfill the church’s vison and mission.

• Provide biblical leadership and revelation.

• Minister to the Body of Christ through pastoral care.

• Communicate God’s Truth and Word faithfully.

• Participate in the planning of worship services creating an engaging Christ-centered time of fellowship.

• Champion church growth by supporting missions both locally and globally.

• Unite and build congregational relationships leading members to decisive discipleship.

• Mature members through encouragement and example, to attend worship services regularly and demonstrate a regular financial commitment to the church.

What You Bring: 

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

Education & Experience

• Post-graduate degree from an accredited Southern Baptist Seminary or other institution whose teachings are consistent with the Southern Baptist Faith and Message

  • Minimum coursework of one year’s study of Greek and one year’s study of Hebrew is strongly preferred

• 10 years proven ministerial leadership and pastoral experience at a comparable church preferred

• 3+ years experience in a Senior Pastor role preferred

• Experience in innovative, missional growth of a church or ministry

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Well-balanced leadership and delegation skills

• Ability to lead teams and sub-teams on a large organizational level

• Aptitude for administration, overseeing personnel and processes

• Equipped with the ability to work without close supervision

• Skilled in listening effectively and communicating clearly

• Possess organizational skills

• Punctual and certain attendance

• Tech savvy, computer literate

• Skills to plan, implement, and analyze

• Proficiency in planning and adhering to a budget

Personal Characteristics & Qualifications

• Enjoys people

• Gift of encouragement and edifying others

• Warm and compassionate

• Adept in handling moderate stress levels

• Solid team player who can play role as servant, leader, or peer in team dynamics

• High degree of Emotional Intelligence (i.e., self-awareness, self-management, social-awareness, and social/relational management)

What it's Like to Live in Tuscaloosa, AL: 

Living, working, raising a family, and retiring in Tuscaloosa, AL, offers a blend of Southern charm, community spirit, and diverse opportunities. Here's a breakdown of each aspect:

Living: Tuscaloosa is known for its affordable cost of living, making it an attractive option for many. The city offers a mix of housing options, from historic homes in neighborhoods like the University of Alabama area to modern developments in the outskirts. The climate is generally warm, with hot summers and mild winters, perfect for outdoor activities.

Working: Tuscaloosa's economy is diverse, with opportunities in education, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. The University of Alabama is a major employer, along with DCH Health System and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, which has a large manufacturing plant in the area. Additionally, the city's proximity to Birmingham provides further job opportunities for commuters.

Raising a Family: Tuscaloosa boasts a strong sense of community and a range of family-friendly amenities. The city offers excellent public and private schools, as well as numerous parks, recreational facilities, and cultural attractions. The University of Alabama's presence also contributes to educational and cultural opportunities for families.

Retirement: Tuscaloosa provides a relaxed and welcoming environment for retirees. The city's low cost of living is particularly advantageous for those on fixed incomes. Retirees can enjoy a range of recreational activities, including golfing, fishing, and attending cultural events. The healthcare infrastructure is also robust, with multiple medical facilities and specialists available.

Overall, Tuscaloosa offers a balanced lifestyle with opportunities for both career advancement and quality family time, making it an appealing place to live, work, raise a family, and retire.

Think you're a great fit for this role? Become a candidate below.