Lead Pastor - Valentine Berean Bible Church (Valentine, NE)

LancasterSearch • Valentine, NE

9d • $94,400 - $104,400

About The Position

Valentine Berean Bible Church in Valentine, Nebraska, is seeking a full-time Lead Pastor to replace its late pastor, Scott McClellen. The church is elder-led. Working alongside the elder board, the Lead Pastor will lead the congregation and cultivate a church-wide culture of discipleship through teaching God's Word and overseeing the church office, staff, volunteers, and ministries.

The church seeks a spiritually mature and teachable shepherd with a demonstrated calling to full-time ministry, a shepherd's heart, and the gift of teaching. The pastor should maintain healthy spiritual and physical disciplines, honor his wife and marriage, be accountable to godly men, and grow in the character described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The pastor must agree with the church's first- and second-order doctrines and sign the Pastor and Doctrinal Covenant. He will receive an annual performance evaluation from the elder board.

Compensation includes a base salary of $65,000–$75,000, based on ministry experience and education; housing and internet valued at $17,400; and $3,000 for utilities. A parsonage and utilities reimbursement are provided, and the housing allowance is candidate-determined, typically 30%–50% of base salary. Health insurance and retirement contributions are negotiable. Professional expenses of $6,000 and continuing education/books of $3,000 are reimbursed separately from salary. Paid time off increases from two weeks after year one to three weeks after year three and four weeks after year five. An eight-week sabbatical is offered every seven years, and one day of weekly Sabbath rest is strongly encouraged. The stated total compensation package is $94,400–$104,400. Relocation costs are supported, and there is some flexibility for limited bi-vocational pursuits.

Requirements

• Demonstrated calling to full-time ministry, a shepherd's heart, and the spiritual gift of teaching.
• Growing in the character qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
• Agreement with the church's first-order and second-order doctrines and willingness to sign the Pastor and Doctrinal Covenant.
• Ability to communicate, cast and carry out vision, and commitment to expositional preaching and training disciples.
• Ability to lead, build teams, work well with people, and serve as a self-starter who is also teachable.
• Experience in sermon delivery, teaching, and disciple-making.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Bible or Theology.
• Licensing and ordination in BFC, or willingness to obtain them.
• Willingness to be accountable to a godly man or men in compliance with the Pastor's Covenant in the Constitution & By-laws.

Nice To Haves

• Senior pastor experience in a church of comparable size.

Responsibilities

• Preach and teach God's Word 38–42 Sundays per year, oversee all teaching, and provide theological oversight to protect doctrinal integrity.
• Shepherd corporate worship, counseling, prayer, and pastoral care, including baptism and communion and care during crises, illness, and grief.
• Provide day-to-day leadership of ministries, events, and facilities; promote adherence to church policy; and initiate church discipline in a loving, Scriptural manner.
• Provide vision and strategic shepherding in plurality with the elders, and develop and align volunteer leaders.
• Disciple current and future elders and identify, mentor, and multiply ministry leaders.
• Oversee and administer staff, participate in budget planning and stewardship oversight, and oversee staff hiring, evaluations, and development.
• Work in unity with staff, volunteers, elders, and the congregation.

Benefits

• Parsonage and utilities reimbursement; housing allowance is candidate-determined, typically 30%–50% of base salary.
• Health insurance and retirement contribution, negotiable.
• Professional expenses of $6,000 reimbursed separately from salary.
• Continuing education and books allowance of $3,000, reimbursed separately from salary.
• Paid time off: two weeks after year one, three weeks after year three, and four weeks after year five.
• Eight-week sabbatical every seven years.
• Relocation costs supported.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior