Senior pastor

Position Description: Senior Pastor

Founded in 1868, First Baptist Church of Brewster (FBC) has served as a faith-rooted, community-centered church in the heart of Putnam County for more than 150 years. Our white-steepled sanctuary on Main Street was dedicated in 1871. The vision of the sixteen founding members was simple but profound: to build a church that would share the love of Christ through both word and deed.

Today, FBC continues that mission as a welcoming and compassionate congregation that seeks to glorify God, make disciples, and serve our neighbors. Our church is deeply engaged with the local community, partnering with organizations like Putnam CAP, the Brewster Food Pantry, and the Mental Health Association of Putnam County, as well as our soon-to-be-opened Thrift Store. We also host support groups and ministries that provide food, hope, and care for those in need.

Mission, Beliefs, and Values

Our Mission: Our mission is to glorify God and make disciples by touching our world with the redemptive love and message of Jesus Christ — everyone, everywhere, and every day.

Our Beliefs: We believe the Bible is our final authority and is inspired by the Holy Spirit. We believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit — the Trinity.

Our Core Values include:

● Desperate for Jesus

● Living to Give

● Grow to Go

● All for One

● Love on People

● No One Stands Alone

● No Perfect People Allowed

Position Summary

The Senior Pastor serves as the spiritual leader and chief shepherd of First Baptist Church of Brewster. This person will guide the congregation through preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and visionary leadership, helping FBC continue to grow as a welcoming, prayerful, and mission-minded community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Spiritual Leadership

● Preach biblically sound, relevant, and inspiring sermons.

● Oversee observances of baptism and communion.

● Foster a culture of prayer, discipleship, and spiritual growth within the congregation.

Pastoral Care

● Provide counsel, comfort, and spiritual support to members and families.

● Conduct weddings, funerals, and special services with sensitivity and grace.

● Visit the sick, elderly, and those in crisis, offering a compassionate pastoral presence.

Leadership and Administration

● Partner with the Elder Board and ministry leaders to develop and implement the church's vision and goals.

● Support, supervise, and encourage staff and volunteers.

● Foster unity and open communication across all areas of church life.

● Reports to the Elder Board.

Community and Mission Engagement

● Represent FBC in the Brewster community and among local churches.

● Encourage outreach, evangelism, and community service as expressions of faith.

● Strengthen partnerships with local organizations and mission initiatives.

Teaching and Discipleship

● Lead Bible studies, small groups, and leadership development opportunities.

● Equip believers to discover and use their spiritual gifts in service.

Qualifications

● A clear and mature personal faith in Jesus Christ.

● A bachelor’s degree and a Master of Divinity (or higher) from an accredited seminary are required.

● Minimum of five years of pastoral or ministry leadership experience preferred.

● Strong preaching, teaching, and communication skills.

● Demonstrated ability to lead with humility, vision, and grace.

● Experience in community-based or multicultural ministry a plus.

● Speaking Spanish is a plus. Working Conditions

● Full-time position (35–40 hours/week).

● Primary locations:

Church office (17 Oak Street) and sanctuary (460 N. Main Street).

● Evening and weekend hours required for services, meetings, and community events.

Reports to: The Elder Board and Congregation.

Compensation and Benefits

● Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

● Retirement and health benefits are negotiable.

● A housing allowance or parsonage option may be available.

● Paid vacation, continuing education opportunities, and ministry-related expense support included.

How to Apply

Please send a resume, cover letter, and statement of faith to: [email protected]

or mail to:

First Baptist Church of Brewster

Attn: Pastoral Search Committee

17 Oak Street

Brewster, NY 10509

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

To view our sermons, please visit our website at

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $48,478.64 - $58,382.88 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person