Voluntown, Connecticut

© Living Word Fellowship 2009
Senior Pastor: We are not accepting new applications at this time.
We have begun the final interviews for this position.

Church Description:
Living Word Fellowship is a nondenominational, regionally-based church. We own a spacious, modern facility on a 10 acre campus in rural southeastern Connecticut, located 2 miles from the Rhode Island border. We have been in existence for 21 years. Our current Pastor is retiring from pastoral ministry after 19 years of service here.

We are currently a church of over 100 members, with our weekly services attendance ranging from 85-115, with 15-30 children in “Children’s Church”. Membership composition reflects a typical New England rural setting comprised primarily of family units with a diversity of ages, ethnicity, and couples/singles.

We are blessed with a multitude of ministries, including an anointed, gifted Worship Team, a Worship Arts Department encompassing drama, dance, contemporary and blended worship styles, small groups, outreaches to nursing homes and local school gym, helps, church library, intercessory prayer, toddler and infant nurseries, food pantry, youth group, men’s and women’s ministries, and more. We have a heart for and support a variety of missions locally and globally. We believe in the sanctity of life and marriage between one man and one woman.

Our church government is Scripturally-based in keeping with 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1: a board of elders, which includes the Senior Pastor who, although accountable to the elders, is given wide discretionary latitude in the day to day operation of the church. We believe that the Word of God is the ultimate authority and basis in all aspects of life, under girded by prayer, faith, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. We welcome the gifts of the Holy Spirit in accordance with 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14, and anticipate experiencing them in our personal and congregational worship.

Living Word Fellowship’s Vision is:
To be a place where people come to know Christ,
and then make Christ known to others.

Our Mission:
To help people discover and lead the purpose-driven life.

Our Purpose:
To Glorify God
           By
Gathering Together
Growing in Christ
Giving to Others
Going Out with the Gospel.


Position Description:

Full-time ministry and senior administrator of all church affairs, either directly or through appointees. Duties include, but are not limited to: providing leadership and vision for the body and individuals, developing and directing plans for ministry and church growth, teaching, preaching, counseling, performing ordinances such as Communion and Baptism, overseeing church discipline and conflict resolution, and participating in evangelism/outreach to the community.

Desired Candidate Characteristics and Qualifications:

We are looking for a passionate lover of God’s Word, who can both lead and challenge us through this transition and into our future together. Candidates should be able to conceive a broader vision of our church’s place in God’s plan, through prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Our membership needs a stable, mature person who is spiritually seasoned, emotionally intelligent, and compassionate, with both fortitude and effective communication skills, especially in regards to an unyielding adherence to communicating God’s Word. We require personal and professional integrity. Ideally the head of a family, an applicant should have hands-on experience and identification with challenges faced by families and individuals across lifespan spectrums. 

Ideal candidates should be a graduate from an accredited seminary, Bible College, or have equivalent preparation. Preferred applicants will possess a minimum of 5 years of pastoral ministry experience. While these criteria are ideal, in accordance with being open to God’s will, no candidate will be dismissed solely on the basis of not lining up with any educational or experience preference, but will be considered on their own merits.

Interested persons are directed to our church website to learn more about us and who we are in the Kingdom. A detailed job description is available upon request.

We are confident that God has already selected our next Pastor, and certain that through prayer and our mutual obedience to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our search will result in God-glorifying spiritual growth for all.

Reimbursement Information:

Salary: $50,000 - $70,000
Benefits: Medical insurance and housing allowance included in salary amount.
No housing is provided.


Application Criteria:  We are not accepting applications at this time.

All candidates are to apply with a cover letter and resume with personal and pastoral references. The cover letter needs to detail personal strengths and weaknesses, and describe your calls to Christian service and ministry, listing your unique giftings as well as challenges.
All serious candidates will be required to submit to background and credit checks with completion of a ministry workers application.
Our timeline anticipates a Fall installation.
Applications will be accepted via mail or email to the addresses below. They should be directed to the attention of:

“Pastoral Search Team”,
Living Word Fellowship, P.O. Box 369, Voluntown, CT 06384 or mail@livingwordfellowship.net

Please take some time to look at our website and learn about our church before sending in your application. Listed below is a job description for this position.
Senior Pastor: Job Description

The Senior Pastor shall serve as the chief “under shepherd” and overseer of this local church, feeding, leading and nurturing the “sheep”. This person’s main responsibility will be to communicate God’s Word, minister to spiritual needs, and provide biblical leadership for the church.

•Ministry Area: Department:  General staff / administration
•Position:Senior Pastor
•Accountable to:  God, Board of Elders
•Ministry target:  Church and community
•This position is a:  Paid staff position
•Position may be filled by:  Church member / an Elder
•Minimum maturity requirements:  Stable, mature Christian
•Spiritual gifts that lend to this position:  Pastor/shepherd, exhortation, teaching, 
         prophecy, evangelism
•Special talents or abilities desired:  Leadership ability, good communicator,
         experience in teaching and/or preaching, training or experience in counseling,
         experience in leading others to Christ, computer skills
•Best personality characteristics for position:  Humble, expressive, caring,
         honorable, teachable, visionary
•Passion:  For shepherding the saints, equipping them for ministry and
        influencing the community for Christ
•Length of service commitment:  Indefinite
•Anticipated time constraints:

Responsibilities / duties of position