Other Details

Job Title: Senior Pastor

Location: Stepney Baptist Church, Monroe CT

Church Affiliation: Stepney Baptist is affiliated with ABCUSA, and its Connecticut chapter called ABCConn which is based in Hartford.

Position Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Church Leadership Council/Congregation

Overview:

After 18 years of faithful service, our Senior Pastor and his wife have moved out of state to be closer to family and embark on God’s next chapter for them.

Stepney Baptist Church is seeking a dedicated, compassionate, and spiritually gifted individual to serve as a Senior Pastor. The Pastor will be responsible for leading the congregation, providing spiritual guidance, preaching, teaching, and nurturing the community’s faith. He will inspire, build relationships, and help foster a vibrant and growing church family. The pastor is ultimately a builder, and a humble shepherd over the Lord’s church at Stepney Baptist.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Preaching & Teaching:
   • Prepare and deliver biblically sound and inspiring sermons weekly.
   • Teach Bible studies and adult classes as able.
   • Provide spiritual direction and biblical counsel to individuals and families.
2. Worship Leadership:
   • Oversee the planning and execution of Sunday worship services.
   • Lead the congregation in meaningful worship, in collaboration with music ministry teams.
   • Communicate with Sunday morning team to make sure technology is in place and slides are prepared for sermon time.
3. Pastoral Care:
   • Provide pastoral care through hospital visits, home visits, limited counseling, and prayer. Know when to refer congregants for professional help.
   • Offer spiritual guidance during life events such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and child dedications.
   • Support and counsel church members in times of crisis, grief, addiction, or spiritual struggle.
4. Leadership Development:
   • Develop and equip church leaders, including Leadership Council Members, Various ministry leaders (Children’s Ministry, Food Pantry, Deacons, etc)
   • Provide mentorship, training, and spiritual guidance to leaders within the church.
   • Encourage active participation and involvement in church ministries.
5. Community Outreach & Evangelism:
   • Foster a heart for outreach, community involvement, and evangelism.
   • Promote and support local mission efforts and outreach programs like Royal Family Kids, outreach to town, etc.
   • Encourage and equip members to live out their faith in the community.
6. Administrative Responsibilities:
   • Collaborate with church leadership to set goals, plan events, and implement church initiatives.
   • Assist in managing church operations, including overseeing volunteers and ministry teams.
   • Attend leadership meetings to help shape the vision and direction of the church.
   • Oversee office and admin volunteers.
7. Spiritual Growth:
   • Model Christ-like living in personal and professional life.
   • Encourage a culture of prayer, Bible study, and spiritual growth among the congregation.
   • If married and a parent, having a reasonably intact family.
   • Lead and participate in church-wide spiritual events, retreats, and activities.
8. Financial Oversight & Stewardship:
   • Support the financial management of the church to ensure the gospel mission of the church can continue unimpeded.
   • Assist in budget planning and overseeing financial accountability in collaboration with the church leadership council.

Qualifications:

• Full adherence to our statement of faith (see attached).
• A strong and vibrant faith in Jesus Christ and a passion for the ministry of the church.
• Seminary degree in theology from an accredited theological seminary (Master of Divinity preferred).
• Candidate may hold credentials with other denominations, but will agree to pursue ordination and credentialing with ABCUSA, through the Hartford ABCConn office.
• At least 3 years of pastoral ministry preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong biblical knowledge and commitment to the unquestioned authority of Scripture.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and disciple effectively.
• Experience in providing counseling and pastoral care.
• A servant-hearted attitude with a willingness to work collaboratively with others.

Personal Characteristics:

• Deep personal integrity and a commitment to living out biblical principles.
• A heart for people, with the ability to care for and serve the church family.
• Visionary leadership with the ability to cast a compelling vision and implement strategies.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic church environment.
• A passion for outreach and growing God’s kingdom.
• Approachable in nature to congregants and townspeople alike.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive salary, based on experience and qualifications.
• Negotiable Benefits (health, retirement).
• Paid vacation and personal time.
• Professional development opportunities.

Stepney Baptist Church Statement of Faith

Stepney Baptist Church accepts the Holy Bible (39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament Books) as the revealed divine Word of God, infallible and inerrant in its original writings. It is given as God’s revelation of His eternal plan of salvation (John 20:30-31).

 Below are the tenets of faith to which we hold:

Divine Inspiration: The Bible is divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that each Christian may be thoroughly equipped to serve God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

 The One True God:  There is one God, creator of all things and redeemer of mankind, who exists equally and eternally in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-4 & 14; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 1:15-20).

 The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ: The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.

 The Bible declares:
He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31-35).
He led a sinless life. (Hebrews 7:26, 1 Peter 2:22).
He performed miracles. (Mark 6:30-56; Acts 2:22, 10:38; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. (1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
He arose bodily from the dead. (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:4-9; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58).
He ascended into heaven. (Mark 16:19; John 14:1-4; Acts 1:9 & 11, 2:32-33; Hebrews 1:3).
He is the promised Messiah, our High Priest and Advocate. (Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14).
He will come again for His Church, to rule with and reign with God the Father in heaven forever. (John 14:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 22:7-21).

The Work and Person of the Holy Spirit:  The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is fully God and His ministry as described in scripture includes the following:

To comfort/counsel (John 14:16)
To teach (John 14:26)
To convict (John 16:7-11)
To guide (John 16:13)
To give peace and joy (John 14:27, John 16:20-22)
To restore unity (John 17:11, 21-22)
To reveal things to come (John 16:13)
To glorify Christ (John 16:14)
To give spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 1:7, 12:1-7; Romans 12:1-8)
To give spiritual fruits to the body of Christ (Galatians 5:22-25)

 The Fall of Humanity:  Man and woman were created in the image of God. They willingly sinned, resulting in both physical death and spiritual separation from God. Their only hope for redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17, 3:6; Romans 3:23, 5:12, 6:23; Titus 3:5 & 6).

 Conditions of Salvation:  We are saved by God’s grace through faith in His one and only Son. This requires that we repent of our sins and trust in Christ as our Savior. When we do so, we are born again through the power of the Holy Spirit, becoming children of God. (John 1:12-13; John 3:3; Acts 2:37-39; Romans 1:17, 3:23-24, 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:4-7).

 The Evidence of Salvation:  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to others is a life of righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24; Titus 2:12).

 Sanctification:  Sanctification is a life-long process of becoming more like Christ. It is both a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit and our deliberate act of separation from our sinful nature. (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:15,16).

 Marriage and Family:  We believe that God ordained marriage and the family. Marriage is between a man and a woman according to the Bible. The first marriage was between Adam and Eve, officiated by God. Marriage constitutes the backbone not only of the family, but also of society. (Genesis 2:21-22; Matthew 19: 4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33).

 The Church:  The Church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. Believers constitute the church body, and are called by God to make full use of the spiritual gifts given to them to fulfill their unique ministries and Christ’s great commission. (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22&23; 2:19-22; 5:25-27; Hebrews 12:23).

 The Second Coming:  The Second Coming refers to the physical return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We believe Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end. Those who are in Christ will face no condemnation, and will receive eternal rewards, whereas those without Christ will be condemned and will receive eternal punishment. (Isaiah 11:11, Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 16:27; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 1:7; 22:12-13).

 The Great Tribulation:  The Great Tribulation is the period of final hostility prior to Christ’s return when great war, suffering, pain and death will come upon the earth in its most severe form. (Matthew 24; Revelation 7:14).

 The Final Judgment:  Those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (the unsaved), will face the final judgment. They, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be condemned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone – the second death. (Matthew 25:46; 2 Corinthians 5:9 & 10; Revelation 20:4-15).

 New Heaven and New Earth:  According to God’s promise, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. In this kingdom, righteousness will rule; sorrow, suffering, pain and death will be no more. (Isaiah 65:17-19, 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21, 22).

 The Two Ordinances of the Church:

Baptism in Water:  The ordinance of baptism by immersion is taught in the Bible and therefore is practiced at Stepney Baptist Church. Baptism is not to be regarded as a means of salvation, but as an act of obedience to God. (Matthew 28:18 & 19; Mark 1:8, 16:15 & 16; John 1:33; Acts 2:38, 10:47 & 48; Romans 6:3 & 4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

 Holy Communion:  The Lord’s Supper is a continual reminder of our sharing in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. (Matthew 26:17-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Church Profile: Stepney Baptist Church

Location: Monroe, CT

Denominational Association: ABCUSA (American Baptist Churches, USA)

Established: 1848 (175+ years old)

Overview:

Stepney Baptist is a warm, welcoming, Christ-centered congregation rooted in over 175 years of rich history with a strong commitment to biblical truth and Gospel-centered outreach to the community. Founded in 1848, we are a historic church worshipping in its original sanctuary, which was borne out of the Second Great Awakening in the early 1800s. Our sanctuary underwent extensive restoration and renovations in 2017, enhancing safety, technology and design updates.

When asked to explain who we are, our leaders used these descriptors: authentic, welcoming, outward-focused, joyful, Bible believing, family oriented, worshipful, eclectic, fellowship-oriented, and faithful.

We are committed to living out the gospel through worship, fellowship, and service to one another and the broader community.

We are passionate to embrace God’s ongoing work and seek to provide a space where people of all generations and backgrounds can encounter the love of Christ, grow in their faith, and then share that faith with others.

Whether someone’s a lifelong member or a newcomer to Christ, this is a family of believers eager to welcome and walk alongside them in their spiritual journey.

Our Mission:

Stepney Baptist seeks to have a “passion for God” and “compassion for people.” Our mission is to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ through faithful preaching of the Word, vibrant contemporary worship (e.g. Elevation Worship, Hillsong, Bethel, Phil Wickham, Kari Job, Brandon Lake, Maverick City, etc.). We are committed to creating an environment where people can grow in their relationship with Christ and be transformed to live out their faith in the world.

Core Beliefs (see statement of faith for more specifics):

• Biblical Authority: We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the final authority for all matters of faith and practice.
• Salvation through Jesus Christ: We believe salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life.
• Baptism and Communion: As a Baptist church, we practice believer’s baptism by immersion and observe the Lord’s Supper regularly as a means of grace and remembrance.
• Congregational Governance: Baptist polity requires congregational governance, so church members will approve major decisions of the church through annual and occasional meetings.  The Leadership Council (LC) is our governing Body for ongoing ministry concerns and administrative oversight of the church. LC members are church members who are voted in by the congregation and serve a four-year term).
• The Church Family: We believe in the importance of church membership and fellowship, and we seek to be a community of believers who support one another in love and spiritual care.
• Evangelism and Discipleship: We are committed to spreading the gospel locally and globally, while nurturing the spiritual growth of believers through teaching, service, and prayer.

Our History:

Founded in 1848, Stepney Baptist has deep roots in the greater Monroe community and has weathered the changes of nearly two centuries. From our humble beginnings, we have grown and adapted to the needs of each generation while remaining steadfast in our commitment to God’s Word. As one of the oldest churches in the area, we are grateful for the legacy of faith that has been passed down to us and are excited to continue the work of the kingdom in this new season, always with an eye to reach the coming generations for Christ.

Ministries:

• Children’s Ministry: We are committed to fostering the spiritual development of the next generation, offering programs that engage children in biblical teaching, fellowship, and service. We also run a VBS for the town each summer, hosting 50+ kids with clear Gospel teaching, beautiful decorations, music and fun.
• Ministry to Foster Kids. Stepney Baptist church hosts a program called Royal Family Kids in conjunction with DCF to provide monthly mentoring and a week away at camp with a trained crew of screened adults.
• Food Pantry: each Saturday for the last 18 years, we have had enough anywhere from 25 to 45 bags of groceries from our pantry between the hours of 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
• Adult Ministries: We provide various adult Bible studies and small group opportunities that encourage discipleship and community, where members can build deeper relationships and grow in their faith.
• Medical closet: for many decades, this church has lent out medical equipment on request to the community. We get one or two phone calls every week looking for wheelchairs walkers, etcetera, and lend these out with no strings attached. Our goal is to be a blessing to people in times of need.
• Coffee hour: after church each week, volunteers prepare wonderful coffee hours with lots of snacks and goodies to welcome new visitors and also provide a regular place for members and attenders to congregate over a cup of coffee.
• Stepaway Preschool: for over 50 years our church has overseen a Christian preschool on our campus with over 50 students from the town. This is a part time program with six part time employees and nurturing atmosphere for kids. Each fall we run a fall festival in the backyard of the church with pony rides, bounce houses, free food etcetera just to bless the families bringing their kids here for preschool. We are always looking for ways to witness with these families. This is a great opportunity for outreach on our church grounds.
• Outreach & Missions: As part of our commitment to spreading the gospel, we engage in both local outreach and global mission efforts. Our church supports missions and ministries that seek to meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in our community and beyond.
• Prayer Ministry: We value the power of prayer in all aspects of church life, and we maintain regular prayer meetings on Friday nights to intercede for the congregation and the world.
• Carol Sing and Tree Lighting: each December, we partner with the Stephanie task force, who hosts an event on the green across the street for families to celebrate Christmas. Our pastor offers an invitation to an old-fashioned Carol singing in our church with refreshments as a way to bring people from the town to our building and remind them that Christmas is about the birth of a savior. This evening culminates in our sanctuary with singing Silent Night by candlelight.
• Christmas Eve: for the past 18 years, we have invited the men from Pivot Ministries, a Christian recovery program in Bridgeport, lead in song and testimony. Our volunteers prepare an elaborate dinner for these gentlemen before our service to simply bless them.  We have a children’s story time a Christmas message, and Christmas carols sung by candlelight.
• Our Congregation: Stepney Baptist is a vibrant church with around 125 individuals engaged with the community and weekly attendance from 65 to 85 each week. We are demographically diverse and welcome people from all backgrounds to worship and serve the Lord Jesus. We are a close-knit and caring community that values fellowship and support. We believe this church is poised for growth both spiritually and numerically, as the Lord provides.

What Makes Us Unique: Legacy of Faith: As a 175-year-old congregation, we are deeply aware of our rich history and the generations that have faithfully followed Christ before us. This legacy shapes our identity and provides a firm foundation for our future ministry.

Warm, Welcoming Atmosphere: We are intentional about making newcomers feel at home and ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to get involved.

Biblical Faithfulness: Above all, we are committed to the faithful preaching of God’s Word and to living out the teachings of Scripture in every area of life.

Looking Ahead:

As we move forward, we remain committed to faithfully stewarding the legacy entrusted to us while being open to new ways God is calling us to serve in this changing world. We are eager to grow in our faith, reach out to our community, and continue to build a church family that reflects the love of Christ.