Pastor

Overview The First Baptist Church of Mansfield is a small, historic New England congregation seeking a spiritually grounded, compassionate, and self‑motivated pastor to serve as our primary spiritual leader. We are a warm, multigenerational church with deep roots in our community. We welcome all people regardless of where they are on their life journey. Because we do not have support staff, the pastor must be able to work independently, manage multiple responsibilities, and provide hands‑on leadership across all areas of ministry. The pastor will guide our congregation in worship, pastoral care, discipleship, and outreach while honoring our Baptist heritage and congregational governance.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Preaching, Teaching, and Worship Leadership • Prepare and deliver weekly Christ‑centered sermons. • Plan and lead worship services, including Scripture, prayer, music coordination, and liturgical elements. • Teach Bible studies, small groups, and new member / baptismal classes as needed. • Administer communion and baptism in accordance with Baptist tradition.

2. Pastoral Care • Provide compassionate visitation to FBCM members and friends, paying special attention to those who are homebound, hospitalized, grieving, or in crisis. • Offer spiritual counseling, prayer support, and guidance. • Officiate weddings, funerals, memorial services, and other pastoral rites.

3. Independent Leadership and Administration • Manage day‑to‑day church operations independently. • Communicate clearly with the congregation through email, phone, and announcements. • Maintain office tasks such as scheduling, correspondence, and basic record‑keeping. • Collaborate with lay leaders (Moderator, Trustees, Deacons, Christian Education) to support church governance and decision‑making. • Attend and participate in board and committee meetings as an ex‑officio member.

4. Congregational and Community Engagement • Build relationships with members, visitors, and the wider community. • Support outreach, mission, and service initiatives that reflect our church’s values. • Actively represent the church at ABCONN and in local ministerial associations or community events when appropriate.

5. Vision, Mission, and Spiritual Leadership • Provide thoughtful, prayerful leadership that helps the congregation grow spiritually. • Encourage volunteer involvement and empower lay leaders (women and men). • Help the church discern its future direction while respecting its New England heritage and Baptist identity.

Qualifications

Spiritual and Personal • A mature Christian faith and a clear sense of pastoral calling. • Ordination or eligibility for ordination in the American Baptist Churches, USA (ABC-USA). • A pastoral presence marked by humility, compassion, integrity, and emotional steadiness. • Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage responsibilities without staff support.

Education and Experience • Master of Divinity (M. Div) degree required. • Prior pastoral or ministry experience strongly preferred, especially in small‑church or solo‑pastor settings.

Skills and Competencies • Strong preaching, teaching, and communication skills. • Self‑starter with excellent organizational skills. • Comfortable balancing multiple roles (pastoral, administrative, relational). • Ability to collaborate with lay leadership in a congregational governance model. • Basic proficiency with email, communication tools, and simple administrative tasks.

Compensation

Compensation will be based on experience and includes a salary range of $50,000–$70,000, along with healthcare, retirement, and other benefits. Note: We do not provide a parsonage, however relocation assistance can be negotiated.

Visit our website to learn more about us. First Baptist Church of Mansfield, CT | An American Baptist Church established in 1809.