Associate Pastor

ROLE DESCRIPTION: 

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Chancellor Church, Queensland, Australia

We are prayerfully seeking an Associate Pastor to partner with our Lead Pastor and Elders in shaping and strengthening the spiritual life and direction of our church in Sippy Downs, Qld.  We are a growing, multi-generational congregation close to the Sunshine Coast University. 

Our vision is to create an environment of grace where we become the visible and active presence of Jesus Christ in our community. Through this, we aim to see a healthy church where followers of Jesus Christ are made, can mature and multiply themselves so that more thriving Gospel-focused churches are planted on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. To work towards this vision, the Associate Pastor will collaborate closely with the Lead Pastor and Elders to develop thriving small groups, establish a robust discipleship culture, and contribute regularly to our church's preaching and pastoral care ministry.

We believe that God is calling the right person to join our ministry team, not simply to fill a role, but to answer a spiritual appointment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Preaching & Teaching: Deliver one to two sermons per month, contributing to the teaching and vision of the church. Provide Christian teaching and equipping, including Sunday night training and equipping sessions.
2. Small Groups: Develop, oversee, and multiply healthy small groups that pray, care, grow and go together. The aim is to see 60-80% of the church participate in a Small Group.
3. Discipleship: Work collaboratively to see a robust personal discipling culture embedded across the church that sees others mature in their relationship with Jesus, who can then disciple others towards faith and beyond.
4. Caring for People: Care for the church in humility and love in conjunction with others.

Essential Requirements:

1. Character: A man who demonstrates an exemplary Christlike character and spiritual maturity, as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:6-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4.
2. Theological Training: At least a bachelor’s degree from a reputable, Gospel-orientated institution. An exemplary candidate with at least two years of theological training may also be considered.
3. Collaboration: A proven ability to work effectively within a leadership team and an elder-led ministry environment.
4. Leadership Experience: At least three years of demonstrated Christian leadership experience.
5. Calling: A clear sense of calling to serve in pastoral ministry under a Spiritual Appointment arrangement.
6. Action-Oriented: An action-oriented approach to ministry.
7. Theological and ministry persuasion: Able to live and minister within the theological and ministry practices and convictions of Chancellor Church and more broadly, those of Queensland Baptist.

Desirable Attributes

• Previous pastoral or ministry leadership experience.
• An ability to train and equip leaders in discipleship and pastoral care.
• Experience in fostering an intergenerational discipleship culture.

Terms of Appointment

This role is full-time (1.0 FTE). It is offered as a spiritual appointment in accordance to  Queensland Baptist guidelines in which the pastor will serve in partnership with the church, trusting in God’s provision, with financial support in line with the Queensland Baptist Remuneration guidelines. 

Note: this spiritual appointment will align with the general expectations for a Queensland Baptist minister as per sections 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 of the QB Registration  and Ordination Guidelines.

Timing:

Shortlisting will commence promptly.

How to Apply

If you sense the Lord’s prompting to explore this ministry opportunity, please submit:

• A covering letter outlining your sense of call and suitability for the role in light of our selection criteria.
• Your ministry résumé, including references.

Applications and enquiries can be directed to: Hayden Walsh at pastoralsearch@chancellorchurch.org.au

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." – Luke 10:2

Selection Criteria 

Character:

1. Be a man who has an exemplary Christlike character and spiritual maturity, fulfilling the qualifications for eldership within the church as set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-4 
2. Demonstrate the ability to be self-motivated, work independently and take initiative in leadership responsibilities 
3. Demonstrate good human relations skills, including active listening, motivating, inspiring, and spiritual decision-making. 
4. Demonstrate mature leadership qualities that are aligned with the Christian faith and Biblical principles, including discipleship practices modelled by Jesus.

 Competence:

1. Action-orientated 
2. A proven track record of servant leadership. 
3. Be able to teach/preach expositionally 
4. Small Group leadership experience and an understanding of small group ministry dynamics. 
5. Proven mentoring and discipling experience 
6. Be able to make a clear and practical application of what you teach.
7. Possess an ability to relate to people from all walks of life and be able to demonstrate interest, experience, and skills in effective Church ministry practice
8. Possess the relevant theological qualifications  
9. Demonstrated commitment to ensuring Church compliance with legislative requirements of Qld and Australia.

 Conviction:

1. Have a personal love for the Bible and committed to becoming more like Jesus.
2. A strong personal Christian walk based on Jesus’ command to mature and multiply disciples. 
3. Conviction that the local church stewards the Good News of Jesus Christ as the hope of the world and committed to shepherding the Body of Christ in Sippy Downs and the Sunshine Coast.

 Chemistry:

1. Demonstrate a commitment to our Vision and Values 
2. Demonstrate effective relational and leadership skills consistent with the collaborative style of Chancellor Church’s broader ministry and leadership team.
3. If married, your spouse is supportive of your call and ministry.