Morning Star Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a dynamic, Spirit-led Senior Pastor to lead our historic congregation into its next season of ministry. Founded in 1917, Morning Star is a loving, Christ-centered church committed to building lives by connecting people to Jesus Christ through discipleship, stewardship, relationship, and fellowship.
We are looking for a visionary leader who is committed to preaching and teaching God’s Word, equipping the saints for service, and strengthening the spiritual lives of individuals and families. Our congregation is multigenerational, and our ministries serve men, women, youth, and children alike.
The ideal candidate will have a heart for community, a passion for pastoral care, and a proven ability to lead with humility, wisdom, and integrity. Morning Star is deeply rooted in the Cleveland community and has a strong legacy of outreach, service, and spiritual impact.
Job Description
Requirements
- Communication skills, both verbally and in writing, to inform, persuade, and comfort congregational members; a pastor’s communication skills are also essential to communicate with church staff and the media if necessary
- The ability to maintain confidentiality when working with congregation members is crucial. This trust is essential to better counsel and comfort church members in times of crisis. A Pastor’s respect for a congregation member’s privacy during and after pastoral counseling is paramount.
- Knowledge of church software to manage church administrative duties
- Project management skills to work with the church administration in a timely manner
- Strong moral character to give an excellent religious example to the congregation
Duties and Responsibilities
- In a regular pulpit ministry, the primary responsibility is to proclaim the Word of God.
- Overseeing pastoral staff and providing direction for church programming.
- Provide leadership and vision for the church, direct plans for ministry and church growth, and develop and refine the church structure based on the Team philosophy of ministry.
- The ability to captivate, engage, and inspire the younger generation is essential.
- It is essential to motivate, equip, and nurture the church’s people through personal example, preaching, teaching God’s Word, and spiritual counseling.
- Facilitating contact/visitation of hospitalized or grieving church members, officiating at weddings and funerals, overseeing church discipline, managing conflicts, and seeking reconciliation and unity within the church.
- Facilitating bible study for the church to encompass all members
- Manage finances with integrity to avoid bringing reproach upon the church is crucial.
- Moderate all church business meetings. working with various standing and special committees, leading in observance of the ordinances of water baptism and communion.
- Establish connections with local, state, and denominational leaders are also part of the responsibilities. It is important to keep the church informed of denominational developments and represent the church in denominational and civic matters.
Minimum Training and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in theology, religious studies, or a related field providing a foundational understanding of biblical texts, Christian doctrine, church history, and moral theology
- 5 years of experience in the ministry or a combination of education and experience.
- Preferred Master of Divinity from an accredited theological school or a seminary
- Must be licensed and ordained. (If not ordained, must be ordained within 6 months of hire date).
To Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to the Pastoral Search Committee at: search@morningstarbaptist.com
Application Deadline
June 30, 2025
For additional information, feel free to contact the church office at
(216) 721-7300.