Are you getting ready to apply for a job as an executive pastor?
This role involves overseeing the different types of operations of a church. You need to have a good understanding of the various operations and be able to explain them to other people. While this job can be very rewarding, it can also be difficult to juggle the various tasks. It is necessary to be able to multitask and keep a cool head when issues arise.
So, let’s take a look at the elements of what an executive pastor does and some great tips on writing your application.
Contents
Executive Pastor Job Description
A typical job description for an executive pastor role should explain the job in detail. It should begin with an overview of the church, the parish you would be assigned to, and the other staff. There should also be details of the type of contract you would be offered and the typical working hours.
The duties that go with this role should be clearly outlined in the job description. There should be details of the education, experience, and other attributes that candidates need to have. It is important to read all of these and make sure that you meet the requirements.
The Working Environment
You will usually be assigned a particular parish to work with. While most of your duties take place in the church, you will also be charged with visiting parishioners. This includes going to see certain members of the church when they are ill or in need of spiritual guidance.
Executive pastors are essentially on call at all times. You need to be prepared to visit parishioners in the middle of the night to hear their confessions. You will also visit other churches and attend certain conferences and services from time to time.
Read more: Youth Pastor Job Description
Typical Duties And Responsibilities
When applying for an executive pastor role, you need to show familiarity with certain duties. This shows that you have a good understanding of the role and experience with various elements.
So, let’s check out some of the most common duties that you can highlight on your job application…
Overseeing operations
This role involves coordinating different departments and making sure they are running smoothly. To do this successfully, you need to have a deep understanding of the functions of each department.
Managing communications
You are likely to be charged with managing the ministry website as well as other types of communications. You need to make sure that all content on the website matches the ministry’s image and mission statement. To do this well, you need to have strong information technology skills.
Overseeing facilities
You need to make sure that each of the ministry facilities is well maintained and usable at all times. You need to create budgets and plans for the renovations and upkeep of different buildings. It is essential to make sure that any changes that are made are aligned with the vision of the church.
Overseeing finances
This is perhaps one of the most important and time-consuming duties of an executive pastor. You need to keep up to date with the cash flow, income, budgets, and expenses of different departments. You also need to make sure that different insurance policies are up to date and that full-time staff have access to them.
Staff management
You will be charged with interviewing and hiring new staff when positions become available. Understand the duties of each role well and be good at reading people to identify strong candidates. You will also be charged with the training of staff, reviewing their performance, and terminating staff when necessary.
Creating ministry strategies
This duty involves taking the vision of the senior pastor and implementing it in the best possible way. This includes collaborating with the various pastors, directors, and coordinators within the ministry. Associated duties include goal setting, ministry evaluation, mentoring, development, and strategy.
Ministry evaluation
Every four months, you will be charged with evaluating the overall performance of the ministry and writing a report. There are several factors you can use to assess performance and effectiveness, such as church attendance and the number of baptisms. You are likely to have to use both oral and written evaluations and make recommendations for changes when necessary.
Goal setting and strategy
In order to do this duty, you need to be able to align the different ministry departments with the church’s vision. Many of the goals that the church has set can be rather vague or general. It is your job to get to the root of these goals and create strategies for how to achieve them. You then need to explain these strategies to different departments to make sure they are followed.
Development and mentoring
It is important to be familiar with each member of staff, including their strengths and weaknesses. You need to be available to provide mentoring to help staff members reach their full potential. This can include explaining different tasks in more detail and helping staff members gain more confidence and skill.
Valuable Skills And Attributes
There is a range of skills and attributes that executive pastors need to have to do their jobs well. Hiring managers are sure to search for mention of these skills when they scan your resume. Here are some of the most important skills and details of what they involve.
Leadership
You need to be good at managing people to do this job well. This includes being able to motivate people to perform their tasks at the optimum level. You also need to be comfortable delegating tasks and providing training if necessary.
Problem-solving
When a member of staff or a volunteer has a problem, they are likely to turn to you to help solve it. You need to be able to listen carefully and identify the root cause of the issue. You then need to be able to analyze the situation in different ways and select the best possible solution.
Conflict resolution
It is necessary to make sure that all members of each department get along well and are able to collaborate. When conflicts arise, you need to be able to help resolve them quickly and smoothly. This involves listening to people who are experiencing conflicts and finding ways to help them overcome their differences.
Goal-oriented
You need to keep the goals of the ministry firmly in mind at all times. Be able to break the main goal into smaller milestones that are easier to achieve. You should be able to track the progress of your team and make adjustments to the milestones when necessary.
Communication skills
You need to be able to explain different tasks clearly and in detail to make sure they are performed well. You need to have strong written communication skills to create detailed reports. It is also essential to have strong, active listening skills to determine the best course of action in different situations.
Good under pressure
When things go wrong for any reason, it will fall to you to find quick solutions and help deal with them. It is important to be able to remain calm under pressure and keep a cool head at all times. Highlighting this skill shows the hiring manager that you understand and are ready to embrace the pressure of the role.
Multitasking skills
You are sure to have a large number of tasks to complete within the course of a single day. You need to be able to prioritize tasks and know which tasks to delegate to other people. This will ensure that everything is completed smoothly and at the right time.
Education And Experience
It is necessary to hold a bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or a similar subject to do this job. It is also important to have a strong background in religion and spirituality. Hiring managers are likely to give preference to candidates who have a master’s degree in biblical studies.
It is also necessary to have at least ten years of experience as a senior leader in a business environment. This experience shows that you have the skills and experience to manage different areas of the church. You should also have a proven track record of excellent judgment and leadership.
Are You Prepared For Your Interview?
Not to worry, we’ve got you covered with our interview advice on how to Answer Why Best Candidate Position, How Would You Describe Yourself, or perhaps our What Are Your Career Goals, How Do You Handle Stress, and What Are You Most Proud Of, just to start you off!
I also recommend reading our answers for How Do You Handle Conflict, what are your Strengths And Weaknesses For Job Interviews, as well as Why Do You Want To Work Here, and Why We Should Hire, along with How To Answer What Are You Passionate About, and What Makes You Unique in 2023.
Of course, if that’s not enough, we also found these outstanding handbooks such as Hiring Squirrels: 12 Essential Interview Questions to Uncover Great Retail Sales Talent, and Get That Job!: The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview, or perhaps you’ll like INTERVIEW with DESIRE and GET HIRED!: How to Ace the Interview, Sell Yourself & Get Your Dream Job which is very popular!
Final Thoughts
Executive pastor roles combine knowledge of spirituality with strong managerial skills. When applying for this type of role, it is important to highlight your leadership skills. You also need to show that you are skilled and experienced at managing operations to make them run smoothly.
It is also important to do as much research as possible before applying for this type of job. Read the job description carefully and compare it to job descriptions for similar executive pastor roles.
Being able to talk about the demands of the job during the interview is sure to give you an edge.
Good luck in your career as an Executive Pastor!