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Senior Pastor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Pastor Position Description: The Campus Pastor position exists to execute the vision of Victory Church as cast by the Senior Pastor. They are charged with motivating and mobilizing teams of ...

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Senior Pastor information

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$35K

$60.6K

$90.5K

How much do senior pastor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior pastor in the United States is $60,634.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,000.00 and $73,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Senior Pastors face in leading a congregation and how can they be addressed?

Senior Pastors often encounter challenges such as balancing administrative duties with spiritual leadership, managing diverse congregational expectations, and fostering effective communication among staff and church members. Building a strong support team, delegating responsibilities, and prioritizing regular self-care can help address these challenges. Additionally, ongoing training in leadership, conflict resolution, and team collaboration is beneficial for maintaining a healthy church environment.

What Does a Senior Pastor Do?

A senior pastor serves as the leader of a church or parish. It is the senior pastor’s responsibility to engage in community events, preach, teach, and manage the church organization. The senior pastor may be the head of a large congregation and multiple church employees (such as secretaries, musical leaders, or junior pastors), the only paid member of a church, or a volunteer nominated for the role. Depending on the denomination of the church, a senior pastor may stay in one place all their life or move from church to church as needed.

What are Senior Pastors?

Senior Pastors are the primary leaders of a church, responsible for overseeing all aspects of ministry, preaching, and providing spiritual guidance to the congregation. They often lead worship services, manage church staff, and set the vision and direction for the church. Senior Pastors also provide counseling, officiate at ceremonies such as weddings and funerals, and engage with the broader community on behalf of their church. Their role is both spiritual and administrative, requiring strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

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

To thrive as a Senior Pastor, you need a deep theological knowledge, strong leadership abilities, and typically a seminary degree or equivalent pastoral training. Familiarity with church management software, online communication platforms, and sermon preparation tools is common. Exceptional interpersonal skills, empathy, and effective communication make someone stand out in this role. These qualities are crucial for providing spiritual guidance, managing church operations, and fostering a supportive, engaged congregation.

What is the difference between Senior Pastor vs Associate Pastor?

AspectSenior Pastor

Required CredentialsTypically a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent, theological training, and ordination

Work EnvironmentLead church services, provide spiritual guidance, oversee church operations

Employer & Industry UsageUsed in churches of all sizes, often as the head spiritual leader

The Senior Pastor is the primary spiritual leader of a church, responsible for preaching, vision setting, and overall church management. An Associate Pastor typically supports the Senior Pastor, focusing on specific ministries or congregational needs. While both roles require theological training and ordination, the Senior Pastor holds the top leadership position, whereas the Associate Pastor assists in implementing the church's mission.

What cities are hiring for Senior Pastor jobs? Cities with the most Senior Pastor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Pastor jobs? The most popular types of Pastor jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Pastor jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Pastor jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Pastor jobs? For Senior Pastor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Senior Pastor job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% Full Time, 81% Part Time, 16% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $60,634 per year, or $29.2 per hour.

Senior Pastor - Fellowship Alliance Chapel

Christian Career

Medford, NJ

$100K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

Senior Pastor - Fellowship Alliance Chapel

Fellowship Alliance Chapel (FAC) is seeking its next Senior Pastor who, with God’s direction, will lead us into the next season of ministry in southern New Jersey. God has moved through FAC for over 40 years in Medford, NJ. The role of Senior Pastor at FAC is accountable to a plurality of elders and helps give leadership to over 20 staff.

Our church is a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, elder governed, and staff led with a mix of ages, represented across all levels of our ministry. The average weekend attendance is about 1,200 people. FAC has an annual operating budget of ~$4M with stewardship of multiple buildings on campus as well as a lake/summer day camp. Our current ministry program includes family support ministries, extensive programs for adults, children and youth, as well as care ministries, and missions. Trinity Preparatory Christian School also partners with FAC in leasing our facilities for their operational use.

Our theological tradition is evangelical. While our church is solidly committed to the Christian and Missionary Alliance as our denominational family, we would consider candidates with theological beliefs compatible with our Alliance heritage but have served in other independent or evangelical fellowships. The Senior Pastor is required to complete licensing and ordination (or sustain prior ordination) with the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

Our church building is in Medford, New Jersey. Located 45 minutes from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 60 minutes from the Jersey shore, Medford serves as a hub for professionals and families in this region. There are five high schools within a 20-minute drive from the church, demonstrating the church’s central location to the surrounding townships. Members of the congregation live in these communities as well as many other townships beyond a 20-minute commute. There is great variety in neighborhoods when choosing where to live, with amenities that appeal to families. The public schools report strong graduation rates and college admission.

FAC is a single-site, multigenerational congregation committed to a mission that more and more people would live a Jesus-centered and missionally engaged life. Within the last ten years the church completed a campus building project, located on the same property with its original building in Medford, NJ. FAC has been the recipient of generous land donations where the Senior Pastor will need to partner with the elder board and financial committee to navigate future debt reduction and giving campaigns.

Required Qualifications:
Seminary education or equivalent ministry preparation
Minimum 5-10 years senior pastoral experience
Strong expository preaching and teaching abilities
Demonstrated leadership in staff management and organizational development
Experience with financial stewardship and capital campaigns preferred
Christian & Missionary Alliance ordination required (or willingness to obtain)
Theological alignment with evangelical and C&MA beliefs
Must be a US Citizen

FAC offers a generous compensation package including salary, benefits, retirement plan contributions, and parsonage housing available to the Senior Pastor.

If this opportunity stirs one's heart and one fits our profile, please send us an expression of interest and a resume.