I clicked on a link to a page on the SBC website recently and discovered that the link was broken. What happened? Well, it seems that the entire site has been overhauled, and it looks pretty good. I’m surprised the Baptist Press didn’t cover it. It’s been a while since I shared a job listing, so, to draw your attention to the sleek, new SBC.net, and to highlight a church in need of a pastor, here I go again with some light comedic flair.
Has the present pandemic left you drawing an extra $600 of unemployment (until recently)? Is your job situation shaky? Do you feel called to be an ex-officio member of all committees? Then this opportunity may be for you!
The First Baptist Church of Charlestown (not Charleston), Indiana, is looking for their next pastor. Excuse me, their next Pastor with a capital P. In addition to the normal duties of preaching the gospel (sorry, Gospel), administering the ordinances, and having general oversight of the church, the Pastor has the additional privilege of being an ex-officio member of all committees! He is responsible for executing plans with vigor, which normally comes through trial and after a conviction.
Job security has become more valuable in the current uncertainty of a pandemic, so you may consider it an added benefit that the vacancy is not considered a time-limited appointment. Also, should the church desire to terminate employment, they give 30 days’ notice. They didn’t mention the salary, but I doubt the previous pastor would have stuck around 28 years if it wasn’t enough to get by on.
The church has been involved (or was pre-pandemic) in multiple ministries and missions. On Mondays and Thursdays, the church operates a food pantry called Hope Center, and at the end of October they host a Fall Festival for the community. They have a partnership with a church plant in Richmond, Indiana, are working on a partnership with the Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association, and have gone overseas multiple times, most recently to Ecuador.
Just 30 minutes over the river and through the woods from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, you could keep working towards that M.Div or doctoral degree like the church’s two associate pastors. You may find yourself having to fill those positions every 3-5 years, but you’ll have a steady supply of applicants (SBTS just lowered tuition).
The church also has a positive image in the community. On Google, Ray Z. gave them five stars and said, “They’re really helpful and got good stuff.” Local Guide Rofolfo also gave them five stars, stating simply “Excelente,” which means “Excellent” in Spanish.
The church has an active website and Facebook page, so if you’d like some more information, just check them out. If you feel God is calling you to serve at First Baptist Church, you can find information on how to apply here. Tell them you heard about it on SBC Voices, and drop me a line if they call you to serve. I’m paid on commission.