Senior Pastor / Elder 

We are seeking a Christ-Centred, passionate, and dedicated individual to serve as a Pastor at our church located in South-East London. The ideal candidate should be well-versed in biblical teachings and theology, and be able to engage with the community to further evangelize the glory of God. They will possess strong leadership skills and have a heart for pastoral care and spiritual guidance, while also emphasizing the importance of scriptural integrity, community outreach, and discipleship. This pastor should inspire and guide the congregation in living out their faith according to the teachings of the Bible, fostering both spiritual and numerical growth within the church.

Responsibilities will include preaching and teaching, providing pastoral care, actively engaging with the community, overseeing church ministries, mentoring future church leaders, supporting outreach efforts, and planning worship services. The candidate must be a committed Christian, and preferably ordained or licensed as a Baptist Pastor, with strong theological knowledge and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

This position offers an opportunity to lead a congregation that is needing to enter its next era of growth, one where the next generation of evangelists and youth are welcome, and a new wave of community engagement is paramount. We are an evangelical church founded on practical Christianity: listen, learn and do is the way in which we believe the Faith should be taken out in the vicinity of the church.

The Church: Olivet Deptford Baptist Church is based in the heart of Deptford between New Cross Station and New Cross Gate. We are a short walk from Greenwich and the community includes city commuters, families with children attending Deptford Green Secondary School, and many working in the surrounding areas. We are looking for a pastor who can engage with this diverse community, bring fresh perspectives, and lead us into our next phase. This new leader should be able to inspire, guide, and support our congregation, fostering both spiritual and numerical growth, while also emphasizing the importance of community outreach and discipleship.

The church currently has a committed membership of 60 people. Sunday services typically see attendance ranging between 60 and 80 individuals. Since the pandemic, we have moved to one Sunday morning service and plan to return to our usual morning and evening service as and when conditions are possible. We have Bible studies and Prayer meetings on Tuesday at the church, with a Zoom service for those not able to physically attend. We have a Sunday school for our children every Sunday morning. We do have monthly Men and Ladies' fellowship meetings and engage with our partners to undertake prison and homeless ministries. We feel it is now time for a new resident Pastor to guide the church into its next phase, focusing on spiritual growth, community engagement, and strengthening existing ministries.

Our former pastor retired in 2024 after a few decades of dedicated service. He made immense contributions in growing the church to what it is today. The church currently has a committed membership of 60 people. Sunday services typically see attendance ranging between 60 and 80 individuals. Since the pandemic, we have moved to one Sunday morning service and plan to return to our usual morning and evening services as and when conditions are possible. We have Bible studies and prayer meetings on Tuesday at the church, with a Zoom service for those not able to physically attend. We have a Sunday school for our children every Sunday morning. We hold monthly men's and ladies' fellowship meetings and engage with our partnering churches to undertake prison and homeless ministries. We feel it is now time for a new resident Pastor to guide the church into its next phase, focusing on spiritual growth, community engagement, and strengthening existing ministries.

Key Responsibilities:

Preaching and Teaching: Deliver biblically sound and engaging sermons to inspire spiritual growth and understanding within the congregation.

Pastoral Care: Provide spiritual guidance, counselling, and support to members of the church, particularly those in need or experiencing hardships.

Community Engagement: Actively reach out to the community to encourage church attendance and promote faith-based initiatives.

Leadership and Administration: Build and oversee the various ministries within the church, working alongside church leaders to maintain and enhance church operations.

Discipleship and Mentorship: Develop and nurture future church leaders and provide mentorship to youth and adults alike.

Outreach Ministries: Continue to support and expand outreach efforts such as prison and homeless ministries in collaboration with partner organisations.

Worship Services: Plan and lead worship services in collaboration with the worship team.

Church Growth: Foster an environment conducive to numerical and spiritual growth.

Required Skills

• Must be a committed Christian and a firm believer in the teachings of the Bible.
• Ordained or licensed as a Baptist Pastor, with previous experience in pastoral leadership.
• Strong theological knowledge and ability to apply biblical teachings in a contemporary setting.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in community engagement and evangelism.
• Ability to work collaboratively with church leaders, staff, and congregation members.
• Understanding of church administration and governance.
• Must have held a similar position previously.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• A degree in theology or related field.
• Previous experience in leading church growth initiatives.
• Experience with online and hybrid ministry engagement.
• A passion for mentoring and developing youth within the church.