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Lead Pastor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MinistryHub

Lead Pastor

Roanoke Rapids, NC · On-site

$70K/yr

MinistryHub is honored to partner with First Christian Church in their search for a Lead Pastor. Please direct all applications through MinistryHub and any inquiries to hello@ministryhub.org . A ...

MinistryHub

Lead Pastor

Roanoke Rapids, NC

$70K/yr

MinistryHub is honored to partner with First Christian Church in their search for a Lead Pastor. Please direct all applications through MinistryHub and any inquiries to . A Church Ready for Its Next ...

Berean Baptist Church

Lead Pastor Assistant

Burnsville, MN · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Lead Pastor WHO WE ARE Berean is a Gospel-centered community of hope with the Bible as our foundation. With Jesus Christ as our foundation for life, we have an eternal hope that changes how we live ...

Berean Baptist Church

Lead Pastor Assistant

Burnsville, MN · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Lead Pastor WHO WE ARE Berean is a Gospel-centered community of hope with the Bible as our foundation. With Jesus Christ as our foundation for life, we have an eternal hope that changes how we live ...

MinistryHub

Lead Pastor

Halls, TN

Position Overview The Lead Pastor will serve as the primary spiritual leader, preacher, teacher, and shepherd of Archer's Chapel Church. This role calls for a seasoned, relational pastor who can ...

MinistryHub

Lead Pastor

Halls, TN

$55K - $70K/yr

Position Overview The Lead Pastor will serve as the primary spiritual leader, preacher, teacher, and shepherd of Archer's Chapel Church. This role calls for a seasoned, relational pastor who can ...

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$36.5K

$63.9K

$108K

How much do lead pastor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead pastor in the United States is $63,896.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $65,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are lead pastors?

Lead pastors are the primary leaders of a church, responsible for setting the spiritual direction, preaching sermons, and providing pastoral care to the congregation. They oversee the church's staff and ministries, ensuring that the church's mission and vision are carried out effectively. In addition to spiritual leadership, lead pastors often handle administrative duties, mentor church members, and represent the church in the community.

What is the difference between Lead Pastor vs Associate Pastor?

AspectLead PastorAssociate Pastor
CredentialsTypically requires theological degree, ordination, and pastoral experienceSimilar credentials, often with less experience required
Work EnvironmentLeads the entire church, sets vision, oversees staffSupports Lead Pastor, focuses on specific ministries or congregations
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in churches to denote the primary spiritual leaderUsed in churches for secondary pastoral roles assisting the Lead Pastor

The main difference between a Lead Pastor and an Associate Pastor lies in their responsibilities and authority. The Lead Pastor is the primary spiritual leader, responsible for church vision and overall leadership, while the Associate Pastor supports the Lead Pastor and manages specific ministries. Both roles require similar credentials, but the Lead Pastor holds a higher level of responsibility within the church hierarchy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Pastor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Pastor, you need a deep understanding of theology, strong leadership abilities, and usually a seminary degree or equivalent religious training. Familiarity with church management software, digital communication tools, and experience in sermon preparation are commonly required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to inspire and guide diverse congregations are vital soft skills. These competencies are important for providing effective spiritual leadership, fostering community engagement, and managing church operations successfully.

What Does a Lead Pastor Do?

A lead pastor’s duties are to lead their congregation in all forms of spiritual matters. In this career, you organize and lead worship services. You may oversee other pastors or laypeople who work in the church, organize and schedule events, and participate in outreach and community service events, such as running soup kitchens or other volunteer services. As the lead pastor, you are the principal authority of your church, and you represent the church within the wider religious organization with which you affiliate.

What are some common challenges Lead Pastors face when balancing administrative duties with spiritual leadership?

Lead Pastors often need to juggle a wide range of responsibilities, from sermon preparation and pastoral care to overseeing staff and managing church operations. A common challenge is ensuring that administrative tasks, such as budgeting and team management, do not overshadow time spent on spiritual leadership, prayer, and community engagement. Effective delegation, strong organizational skills, and clear communication within the church staff and leadership team are essential to maintaining this balance. Many churches address this by building a strong support staff and lay leadership to share the load, enabling the Lead Pastor to focus on vision-casting and discipleship.
More about Lead Pastor jobs
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Lead Pastor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Pastor job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,896 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

Lead Pastor

The Christian and Missionary Alliance - U.S. Church Ministries

Portland, OR

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Lead Pastor

Lead Pastor
Garland Ave Alliance Church | Spokane, WA
Garland Ave Alliance Church is seeking a Lead Pastor to help lead a historic congregation into its next season of renewal. We are a welcoming, multiethnic, intergenerational church with a deep commitment to discipleship, local outreach, refugee ministry, and global missions. After nearly 130 years of ministry, we are prayerfully seeking a pastor who can provide Spirit-led leadership, develop leaders, and help us reach the next generation while building on a strong foundation of faithful ministry.
This is an opportunity for a pastor who loves people, values collaboration, and is energized by the work of church revitalization. If you are committed to long-term ministry, disciple-making, and helping a congregation discern God's vision for the future, we invite you to learn more.
View the full Profiles below to learn about our story, community, culture, vision, and the qualities we are seeking in our next Lead Pastor.

View Profiles Here

To be considered for this position, please complete the application to include your testimony, resume and other background information related to the position.

If the district office has reviewed your application and they think you may be a potential match for the position, that the hiring manager will reach out to you for next steps.

This position requires licensing with The Christian & Missionary Alliance. To learn more about The Alliance and requirements for licensing, please visit our website

Please do not contact the church directly.

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