Lead Pastor

Open Position: Lead Pastor
Position - Part Time (24 hours/week) with the opportunity to grow to full time


Lead Pastor Ministry Opportunity

The Orchard Church of Chico is seeking a Lead Pastor who will faithfully lead and shepherd our congregation in alignment with our unique calling to ministry. Founded in 2001, Orchard Church is based in Chico, California which is a vibrant college town with lots of spaces for outdoor recreation and activities. At the same time, the community faces real needs, with poverty rates higher than the national average and a significantly lower percentage of religious affiliation—making Chico a meaningful place for gospel-centered ministry and opportunity for outreach. Since our founding, Orchard Church has sought to follow God’s leading by demonstrating Christ’s love to the vulnerable and the broken in our community. With local mission as the heart of our calling, we are united as a congregation by a shared understanding that we all need God’s grace, and by a common mission to love God and love others.

Our vision to share God’s love with our community has shaped the way we steward our resources. Rather than investing in a permanent facility, we have chosen to remain a mobile church, meeting weekly in a local junior high school. This decision has allowed us to focus our time, energy, and finances on outreach ministries. One of our primary ministries is our Men’s Recovery House where men healing from addiction and brokenness encounter Jesus’ restorative love, and are equipped to grow into passionate and productive followers of Christ. In addition, our church has served the lost and vulnerable through youth ministry, a weekly meal for our friends living on the street, a Christmas food and gift program, and, for a season, a recovery home for women and children.

Over the years, the size and capacity of our congregation have fluctuated. Currently, we are a small but faithful church family of fewer than 50 attendees on a typical Sunday, with children making up approximately half of our congregation. We are prayerfully seeking a leader who can shepherd this season with faith, wisdom, and vision.

We are looking for a Senior Pastor who is deeply committed to loving and reaching the lost and who approaches ministry with the heart and mindset of a church planter. The ideal candidate will be able to connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. This role requires a strong gifting in shepherding and pastoral care, as well as the ability to be a self-starter. As the primary staff member, the Lead Pastor will oversee many administrative and organizational responsibilities. In addition, because we are a small, outward-focused church, the Lead Pastor must understand the importance of fundraising and cultivating strong relationships within the broader community.

Orchard Church is a diverse and loving group of people who are passionately following Jesus and growing in love for God and our community. We exist to see God impact individual lives with His hope, truth, grace, and love. Our desire is to partner with a Lead Pastor who shares this vision and passion, and who will faithfully lead and shepherd us as we continue to pursue God’s calling to local mission here in Chico.

Primary Lead Pastor Responsibilities

1. Pastoral Care & Shepherding
-Provide spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and biblical counseling to the regular congregants of Orchard Church.
-Encourage and equip members to identify, develop, and use their spiritual gifts.
-Provide pastoral oversight and spiritual care to residents of the Men’s Recovery House.


2. Teaching & Spiritual Leadership
-Teach in Sunday morning worship services, coordinating guest speakers as needed.
-Provide oversight and support to ministry leaders, including:
--Director of Men’s Recovery House
--Director of Children’s Ministries
--Worship Team leader
--Church on the Street leader
-Help articulate and steward the church’s vision, mission, and spiritual direction.


3. Outreach & Community Engagement
-Provide active support for existing outreach ministries.
--Church on the Street
--Christmas Wish
--Men’s Recovery House


4. Fundraising & External Relationships
-Along with the Men’s Recovery House Director, cultivate relationships with local churches, service agencies, and community partners.
-Maintain a relationship with Venture Church Network and other supporting organizations.


5. Church and Ministry Administration & Management
-Meet at least monthly with the Leadership Team.
-Recruit, train, and mentor ministry leaders and volunteers.


Lead Pastor Joint Responsibilities along with the Leadership Team

Outreach & Community Engagement
-Develop new outreach opportunities that invite church-wide participation.
-Build and maintain meaningful relationships with individuals connected to the church through outreach ministries.

Fundraising & External Relationships
-Raise funds for Men’s Recovery House and other outreach ministries.
-Maintain and grow relationships with financial supporters and donors.

Church and Ministry Administration & Management
-Oversee church operations, including budgeting and financial management.
-Coordinate financial processes with an outsourced bookkeeper.
-Initiate strategic planning related to church health, sustainability, and growth.

To apply or to inquire further – call 530-282-5053 or email info@orchardchurch.com