Senior Pastor Job Description
Living Water Bible Fellowship
119 Highway 52 S., Guttenberg, IA 52003

 Primary Role: Serve as the servant leader, loving shepherd, and effective communicator providing visionary direction to help people follow Jesus (to make disciples).

The Senior Pastor serves as the primary servant leader, loving shepherd and effective communicator of God’s Word. This role emphasizes hands-on ministry in a close-knit setting, blending preaching, pastoral care, and relational leadership to foster spiritual growth and community outreach. The Senior Pastor will operate with minimal staff support, focusing on visionary servant leadership to guide vision and direction, effective preaching to engage and disciple the flock, and high relational skills to build deep connections within the congregation and the broader Guttenberg area.

Qualifications and Requirements

The Senior Pastor must meet biblical standards for elders (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9, 1 Peter 5:2-3).

The senior pastor must have a vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus where he is receiving more of God’s love and loving people with His love. He is a man who daily has affirmation of the Word of Christ, constant surrender to Christ, and consistent conversation with Christ leading to an increasingly Christlike lifestyle.

The senior pastor must fully agree with the church constitution, doctrinal statement, and the mission of Living Water Bible Fellowship.

The emphasis is on relational depth, effective preaching, and visionary servant leadership that can sustain and grow Living Water Bible Fellowship.

• A vibrant personal faith in Jesus Christ, following Jesus by the leading of the Holy Spirit. He will have a clear calling to pastoral ministry in a rural, small-town setting.
• Theological education – Bible College/University degree; prefer a Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
• Ordination — Licensed or ordained or eligible through the EFCA.
• Experience — Prefer some experience in pastoral roles in churches with a track record of servant leadership, effective preaching and relational ministry.
• Skills — Effective preaching abilities (accuracy, clarity, application); servant leadership to provide direction and unity; good relational skills for building trust, resolving conflicts, and fostering community. Proficiency in basic administration and willingness to engage in hands-on tasks.
• Personal Qualities — Humble, approachable, resilient, and grateful with a heart for small town life and committed to family (if applicable).

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Pastor handles a broad range of duties while collaborating with elders, deacons, and church family:

·       Servant Leadership — Provide servant leadership by coming humbly alongside the church family to edify, equip and empower them to accomplish their mission. Involved with this is visionary leadership to cast and implement a God-honoring direction for the church, including strategic planning for edification of believers and evangelism of non-believers. Lead, equip and empower elders, deacons, staff, and volunteers for ministry roles, fostering a collaborative environment in a resource-limited small church.

·       Preaching and Teaching — Serve as the primary preacher, delivering biblically-based, expository sermons weekly that teach the whole counsel of God, apply Scripture to everyday life, and align with EFCA's emphasis on doctrinal soundness. Focus on engaging messages that inspire trust in Jesus and promote spiritual maturity.

·       Pastoral Care — Offer high-relational shepherding through counseling, visitation, and support during life events (e.g., weddings, funerals, illnesses), building authentic relationships in a tight-knit congregation and extending care to the Guttenberg community.

·       Worship and Ministry Coordination — Coordinate simple, heartfelt worship services; support core ministries like Sunday School, Bible studies, youth/children's programs, and outreach events that connect with local residents.

·       Administration and Operations — Handle day-to-day governance, budgeting, and facility management; represent the church in the Guttenberg community and EFCA district activities.

·       Outreach and Evangelism — Promote relational evangelism and community engagement, such as partnerships with local events or non-profits to grow the church and share the Gospel in northeast Iowa.

If you want to apply for this position, please email your resume to bob@livingwaterbible.com

Contact Bob Westfall for more information or questions: 319-329-5317, bob@livingwaterbible.church