Now Hiring: Lead Pastor

Grace Baptist Church · Seaford, Delaware

Grace Baptist Church is seeking a Lead Pastor to preach God's Word, shepherd our church family, and lead us into our next season of ministry.

"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)

  • Position: Lead Pastor
  • Accountable to: The Grace Church Council
  • Leads: The Grace Church Council and a staff of four
  • Compensation: $60,000 – $75,000

Position Summary

The Lead Pastor is the primary preacher, shepherd, and leader of Grace Baptist Church. He faithfully proclaims God's Word, cares for the congregation, leads and develops the ministry staff, and, together with the Grace Church Council, casts and carries out the vision for Grace's next season of ministry in Seaford and beyond.

About Grace

Founded in 1960, Grace is a gathering of families who are growing to be like Jesus, giving our lives away by going into the world to share His love. We affirm the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 and cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, and the Eastern Baptist Association.

  • About 165 in average Sunday worship (10:30 AM, in person and livestreamed) and 150 members
  • A $325K annual budget with no debt, and a well-maintained campus with a new roof and boilers
  • More than 165 baptisms in the past ten years, including 29 last year
  • About 70% of our attenders are in Bible study through Growth Groups
  • Known for our friendliness to every visitor, a vital recovery ministry, and a welcoming ministry to special needs families

Our Community

Seaford sits on the Nanticoke River at the center of the Delmarva Peninsula, within an hour of Delaware's beaches and less than 100 miles from Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

  • 16.8%: Sussex County's growth since 2020, more than twice Delaware's rate
  • 54%: projected Sussex County growth from 2020 to 2050
  • About 9,000: Seaford residents, the county's largest town, up about 10% since 2020
  • 41: Seaford's median age, a decade younger than the county's 52
  • Plus: no sales tax and some of the nation's lowest property taxes

Key Responsibilities

Preaching and Teaching

  • Preach God's Word each Sunday in a clear, relational way so that every listener, from the newest believer to the longtime member, understands and can apply what is shared
  • Plan the preaching calendar and sermon series, coordinating with worship and Growth Group studies
  • Oversee the observance of baptism and the Lord's Supper

Shepherding and Pastoral Care

  • Know and love the people of Grace through visitation, counseling, and presence in times of crisis, illness, and loss
  • Officiate weddings, funerals, and other special services
  • Equip members and leaders to share in caring for one another

Leadership and Vision

  • Lead the Grace Church Council, working with elders, deacons, and laity to set direction and make decisions
  • Cast a clear, prayerful vision for Grace's next season and guide the church toward it
  • Lead in stewardship of church resources, working with the council on the annual budget

Staff Leadership

  • Lead, shepherd, and develop a staff of four: Director of Operations, Administrative Secretary, Children's Director, and Facility Manager
  • Hold regular staff meetings, set goals, and provide encouragement and accountability

Discipleship, Evangelism, and Missions

  • Champion Growth Groups as the primary pathway for spiritual growth
  • Model and encourage personal evangelism, and welcome and connect first-time guests
  • Support Grace's recovery and special needs ministries
  • Lead the church in local, regional, and international missions
  • Encourage cooperation with the Eastern Baptist Association, BCM/D, and SBC

Qualifications

Spiritual

  • A genuine, growing relationship with Jesus Christ and a clear sense of God's call to pastoral ministry
  • Meets the biblical qualifications for a pastor in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9
  • Fully affirms the Baptist Faith & Message 2000

Personal

  • Highly relational: warm, approachable, and genuinely interested in people
  • A gifted communicator who makes Scripture clear and practical
  • A humble, collaborative leader who builds trust with staff and lay leaders

Education and Experience

  • Master's degree with theological training preferred
  • More than five years of ministry experience in the local church

How to Apply

Email your résumé and a cover letter to Christy Jones, Search Team Chair, at cjones@graceseaford.org.