Walnut Hill Community Church

Lead/Teaching Pastor

Bethel, Connecticut

Why I Love This Opportunity

Todd Clark

Senior Associate

The Lead Pastor Teaching at Walnut Hill Community Church is a truly unique opportunity.

The church is seeking a passionate, gifted, and anointed preacher who will seek God for His heart, open the Word of God, and create space for the Holy Spirit to touch, transform, and empower the congregation for daily life and ministry.

The Lead Pastor, Teaching, will have the opportunity to have an exponential impact as they lead the church’s Preaching Team – a collaborative learning community of men and women who teach God’s Word at campus locations and churches in the region.

About This Organization

In 1982, a small group of people set out in faith to launch a community that would eventually be known as Walnut Hill Community Church. Although they had no experience starting a church, they said “yes” to God and united together.

Walnut Hill praises God for the growing diversity in the congregation as people of all ages, stages, nationalities, races, and abilities gather to worship. This growth has been a hallmark of the church over the past few years and one that church leadership continues to pray and work to advance.

When you come to Walnut Hill, you experience real people living real life. The congregation has no interest in pretending that everything is perfect. They know that people need help and that a relationship with God is the answer.

Walnut Hill is seeking a new Lead Pastor of Teaching to join their staff and congregation in loving and leading people to Jesus.

Position Description

In 2016, Walnut Hill transitioned from having one senior pastor to a team leadership model where three pastors serve in partnership as lead pastors, taking on the traditional responsibilities of senior pastor while continuing to oversee and advance key areas in the life of the church. The church staff consists of 62 employees (full-time and part-time) and is deeply committed to the values of unity, honor, and excellence.

About the Lead Pastor – Teaching:

The next Lead Pastor – Teaching will build on a solid foundation that has been laid by many who have come before. He will work alongside the “Lead Pastor – Development” and “Lead Pastor – Executive” to provide spiritual, visionary, and strategic leadership to Walnut Hill’s diverse team of pastors, leaders, members, and volunteers while engaging with multiple congregations to promote continuous life transformation as disciples of Jesus. The Lead Pastor – Teaching will have primary responsibility for preaching and teaching God’s Word with power, clarity, conviction, and spiritual authority while helping his listeners understand and embrace Christ’s radical call on their lives. This individual will have a passion for discipleship and the gathering of God’s people in worship and group life and will be able to inspire and mobilize large numbers of people while also moving them forward in faith toward a new season of impact and influence. The successful candidate will ensure commitment to Walnut Hill’s doctrinal statement while valuing the heritage and legacy of Walnut Hill.

Key Responsibilities:

The Lead Pastor – Teaching Responsibilities:

  • Teaching: Be the primary preacher/teacher at Walnut Hill, responsible for adhering to Walnut Hill’s Statement of Faith, teaching content, and preaching team development.
  • Leadership: Work in a team alongside the “Lead Pastor – Development” and “Lead Pastor – Executive” to provide spiritual, innovative, and strategic leadership to Walnut Hill’s diverse team of pastors, staff, leaders, volunteers, members, and beyond.
  • Promote a culture and establish programs to maintain church health through a balance of discipleship, evangelism, and outreach.
  • In partnership with his co-lead Pastors, he provides pastoral care and spiritual direction to Elders.
  • Serving as the Bethel Campus Pastor provides care, hospitality, and connection. Collaborate with Lead Pastors to oversee Weekend Services and the Worship & Arts Production Team.
  • For discussion: Oversee Discipleship ministries, including Group Life, to shepherd the congregation to full maturity in Christ.
  • Preaching that supports global and local outreach and re-enforces Walnut Hill’s vision of “Igniting a passion for Jesus in Connecticut, New England, and around the world”. Guard the heart of the Walnut Hill flock so that peace and unity in the Spirit prevails.

What a Strong Candidate Would Look Like:

Education & Experience:

  • The ideal candidate will have an undergraduate degree, not necessarily in a related field. A Master of Divinity or comparable graduate degree from an accredited conservative, evangelical, theological seminary or its equivalent is preferred.
  • Preferred ten years of ministry experience with multiple years of senior leadership experience. This could take the form of a Senior Pastor, a Campus Pastor, or an Associate Pastor on a large staff.
  • Experience and knowledge of multi-staff, multi-generational, and multi-campus ministries with a commitment to unity in diversity (age, gender, race, nationality, and abilities).
  • Experience and comfort with ministering in a post-Christian culture similar to New England.
  • Significant experience preaching/teaching/communicating in a larger church context, with a commitment to Biblical preaching.
  • A thought leader who engages in theological and cultural discourse if/when needed.
  • Fully aligned with Walnut Hill’s DNA, mission, values, and statement of faith.
  • Experience in a multi-staff setting, including leadership of paid staff and unpaid volunteers.
  • Possesses an entrepreneurial ability, always thinking about and creating ways for greater impact and reaching more people

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