Lead Pastor

Overview
The Lead Pastor has a calling to equip the saints for ministry. He supports the mission of Conejo Church overseeing staff and volunteer leaders, preaching the Word, and pastoral guidance. He is empowered for visionary leadership and comfortable directing and ordering the church. This role ensures overall stewardship of church body while also providing day to day support to the ministries of the church.
Church Profile
Conejo Church is here to give hope to our community through relationship with Jesus Christ and each another. We are a church seeking to look like Acts 2 devoted to the Apostles teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.
We worship together on a beautiful shared property in Thousand Oaks CA amidst old oaks next to hiking trails and botanic garden. The neighborhood is mostly single family homes, across from apartments, and down the road from a 3,000 student liberal arts college.
Our church fellowship is family and we love being together. The words our Council uses for Conejo Church are: hope, relationship, love, purpose, and authenticity. We thank God for thriving weekly Life and Youth groups. The Lord has blessed the work of our hands to be a part in caring for foster and vulnerable kids in Ventura County via strong partnerships. As our small church faces societal shifts and consumer culture we are resolute believing God is doing something special here. We are eager to welcome our new pastor together rooted in Jesus and expectant for good fruit in our body that extends out to our community and beyond.
Scope of Work
Leads Sunday Mornings & Teaching Ministries (50%)
Prepares regular sermons and steers preaching team, collaborates weekly with Worship Pastor to direct overall flow of services, supervises curricula for small groups, kids & youth

Leads Vision & Church Development (20%)
Identifies church vision and persistently casts the message, devotes work time to prayer, invests in ministry leaders to grow in their spiritual gifts, holds regular staff and council meetings with implementation of vision and follow up in mind

Leads Church Organization (10%)
Ensures smooth operation of necessary church business, directs volunteer admins, connects to mission-aligned ministry partners

Leads Pastoral Ministry (10%)
Intentional pastoral care, support, general counseling, and when needed church discipline

Leads Missional Action (10%)
Catalyst for evangelical and mission-supporting events and initiatives, redevelops framework for local and foreign mission

Holds space for Sabbath rest (24 hrs.)
Key Requirements
On Board with God’s Purposes for the Church & Ready to Lead
Gospel-centered, evangelical, visionary, disciple-maker, passionate about teaching the Bible, confidently and lovingly handles conflict, capable communicator, courageously stands in spiritual leadership, and shepherd’s heart
Gets Conejo Church & Desires to Be Here
Excited about our mission, aligned with our values, true charity on tertiary issues, able to be vetted and ordained by Vinia (MCUSA), empowers men and women in leadership gifting
Character of a Godly Man
Solid family and home, led by the Holy Spirit, well versed in scripture, discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality, and humble
Further Ideal & Helpful Characteristics
Family-oriented, vibrant, energetic, people-person, wife is an enthusiastic and supportive partner in ministry and member of church
Qualifications
● Strong written and verbal communication skills
● Excellent organizational leadership gifting
● Ability to step into multifaceted work scope and demands of full time ministry
● Missional, doctrinal, and practical alignment with Conejo Church (www.conejochurch.com/beliefs-vision-mission/) and Vinia (MCUSA) (https://mcusa.org/about)
● Experience with vocational pastoral ministry
● Educational background in Christian Education., Theology, Biblical Studies or related
● Meets requirements of an elder (1 Tim. & Titus)
Work Schedule
Expected: 40-50 hours/week
-Leaves margin for check-ins, meetings, and life of the church as discerned or required
-Flexible weekly schedule, may work from home (no current office space)
Reporting Structure
Reports directly to: Leadership Council
Oversees: Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor, Kids Director, and volunteer ministry leaders
Compensation
Salary and housing allowance in line with lead pastor role for a small church on the central California coast, medical benefits, some contribution to retirement, and flexible vacation. Specific package presented to final candidates.