Senior Pastor

OBJECTIVE Follow the Holy Spirit's leading to call a Senior Pastor to shepherd His flock at WHBC. "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood." (Acts 20:28) ABOUT US A member of the American Baptist Churches of Michigan, West Highland Baptist Church (WHBC) is a vibrant, friendly, Bible-based church that loves God's Word and His people. All who enter its doors are welcomed and encouraged to worship and grow in relationship with our Lord and Savior. Its multi-generational church family has witnessed for Christ in Oakland County, Michigan, since believers formally organized the Baptist Church of Highland in the log cabin of Jesse Tenny on January 16, 1834. Today, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, WHBC is governed by its Constitution and Bylaws, adopted in 2010 and updated when needed. The church is prayerfully guided by a congregationally-affirmed team of 3-5 Elders. The Senior Pastor is a member of the Elder Ministry. The Ministry Council coordinates the church's core and special ministry teams. Church staff members report to the Senior Pastor. The organizational chart is in the Church Constitution and By-Laws: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17fCq4zrOfurn0qlWaq_luGwRxTZCWsbQ/view FAST FACTS - Some 130 member and frequent-attender households from Highland and the surrounding area. - One campus on 12 acres: church building (sanctuary, fellowship hall, basement classrooms, education wing, kitchen, gymnasium), an adjacent parsonage, outdoor pavilion, soccer field, softball diamond, recently upgraded playground, and a garage/storage building. - Houses a Christian Academy ministry (53 years in 2026) serving about 60 students and their families. - Sunday morning worship (9:45 a.m.) followed by Sunday School for all ages, mid-week adult Bible study, Youth Group, KidZone, Tuesday Morning Prayer Group, small group Bible studies, and many fellowship events. - Financially sound and debt-free, with giving continuing to exceed budgetary needs. OVERALL QUALIFICATIONS The following will be examined before a call is extended: - 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4 - Personal character - Preaching ability, sound doctrine, and faithfulness to God's Word - Education and ministry experience (posting lists a Bachelor's degree and 5-10 years of experience) KEY CHARACTERISTICS AND SKILLS The ideal Senior Pastor for WHBC is: - an Effective Preacher and Teacher of God's Word who delivers Bible-based, expository preaching focused on the foundation of a Christian life. - a Relationship Builder who knows the people of WHBC, is immersed in the life of the body, is present and involved, and fosters authentic relationships. - an Emotionally Intelligent Shepherd with a genuine love of God's people that is felt by those with whom there is contact. - a Collaborative Manager skilled at working with staff and lay leaders to balance traditional with contemporary ministry approaches. - a Servant Leader (1 Peter 5:1-3) who humbly guides the WHBC flock. - a Thoughtful Coordinator with a heart for Missions, Evangelism and Outreach, who partners with WHBC's Ministry Teams, including West Highland Christian Academy, other local churches, and service organizations to increase WHBC's community reach. - a Competent Administrator, strong in planning, communication, motivation, and follow-through. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the Senior Pastor: - maintains effective ministry and equips members for service. - works with Ministry Teams, Elders, and Deacons to accomplish the ministries of the church. - may attend and participate in any Ministry Team meeting. - serves as or designates a West Highland Christian Academy liaison. - in cooperation with and involvement of the Elders: oversees the church as the spiritual leader; preaches, expounding revealed truth and guarding it from error; leads the church in fulfilling its mission; establishes services for worship; administers the ordinances of the church; supervises the spiritual vision of the church and directs vision and planning for the church and all its ministries; supervises all staff members, including Pastoral and other paid staff. - in cooperation with the appropriate Ministry Team and affirmation of the Ministry Council: recommends the hiring of paid staff (provided funds are allocated in the budget) and the appointment of volunteer pastoral staff. - in consultation with the Elders and the Moderator: hires all other church staff positions included in the budget. - in cooperation with the Elders and any directly-affected Ministry Team: presents each paid staff member with a job description outlining duties and responsibilities, including the expectation of an annual review. COMPENSATION / TERM OF SERVICE - Salary range: $90,000 - $100,000 - The compensation package has been established by the Elders in cooperation with the Finance Team and Moderator, using monies allocated in the budget for that purpose. - The Senior Pastor will be called for an indefinite period of service. HOW TO APPLY Send a letter of interest/cover letter, resume, sermons, references, etc. to office@mywhbc.org. The position will remain open until filled. CHURCH CONTACT West Highland Baptist Church, 1116 S. Hickory Ridge Rd., Milford, MI 48380 | (248) 887-1218 | office@mywhbc.org | https://www.mywhbc.org/ Learn more: the church's website, Church Profile, and worship services on Facebook and YouTube.