Snapshot

Denomination: Non-Denominational

Weekly Attendance:  262

Location: Philadelphia, PA

The Role: Lead Pastor

Meet Seven Mile Road Church:

Seven Mile Road Church exists to see people believe the gospel, in community, and on mission. We were planted 14 years ago, originally with a focus on reaching second-generation Indian Americans and their peers. Today, that vision has broadened to reach lost people in the lives of our diverse congregation, which is spread across Philadelphia and the nearby suburbs. We are a 325+ person (includes members and non-members ), growing, multiethnic, regional church located in Northeast Philadelphia. We are committed to seeing the gospel advance locally, regionally, nationally, and globally through church planting and various ministry and missionary efforts.

The name of our church encapsulates our mission and vision. The story of Jesus and His disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35) is the story we pray is lived out through our people and in our city. Together, we are on a  journey where, through the power of the risen Savior, our lives are transformed and shaped by the truth of the gospel. Our desire is to continually encounter the living Christ (gospel), grow in belief by walking alongside others (community), and be moved to share this good news with the world (mission). Those three words define everything that we are and everything that we hope to be.  

About the Lead Pastor:

Seven Mile Road Church is seeking a Lead Pastor with a shepherd’s heart, who can continue and grow our mission to be a healthy, disciple-making local church. Our highest priorities are to see people believe and be transformed by the good news of Jesus, experience deep, honest, safe, and authentic community, and proclaim the message and mercy of Christ through word and deed.   

The Lead Pastor's Responsibilities Include: 

• Visionary | Lead the church by casting the vision for ministry and by motivating others to fulfill the vision. Stay perpetually committed to being a church that sees people believe the gospel, live in community, and be on mission while seeking God’s direction with the other elders for how that should be realized in each new season.

• Leadership | Oversee and support the staff, elders, and church leaders as they lead various ministries and functions on a regular basis. Work with the Executive Pastor to guide staff in goal setting, leadership development, developing organizational culture, ensuring organizational health, and spiritual direction. Work alongside the board of elders in implementing church structure in accordance with the constitution and bylaws. Lead the congregation with humility and a servant's heart. Develop, equip, and empower future church leaders. 

• Preaching | Oversee the preaching ministry to provide effective gospel-centered and expository preaching that is faithful and applicable. This will include creating sermon series, developing high-level themes & strategies to communicate through corporate preaching (“air war” efforts), and tactical steps to drive home key takeaways that are applicable to the congregation (“ground war” efforts). Creating and scheduling the preaching calendar, raising up and training preachers as needed, and leading a rotation of preachers while maintaining theological depth & accuracy. 

• Worship | Work with the elders and Director of Worship to plan Christ-centered Sunday worship services that lead our people to worship the Creator. Coordinate with the worship leader, staff, and volunteers for Sunday services and special events. Pastor by performing rites of passage, such as child dedications, baptisms, weddings, and funerals. 

• Prayer | Pray diligently for and with the church community and staff. 

• Shepherding | Work within our Shepherding Plan to offer pastoral care, guidance, and assistance to members of the church community. Exemplify compassion and love to all people and give counsel as needed. Note - in order to shepherd our people, the lead pastor must reside within a 10-mile radius of Seven Mile Road Church.

• Evangelism | Do the work of an evangelist privately in personal evangelism and publicly through preaching and teaching. Keep the mission of God to save sinners ever before the church and be an example for the saints.   

• Ownership | Accept the responsibility that comes with being Lead Pastor. While immensely valuing team ministry, and seeing it as indispensable, the “role of first among equals” means that the Lead Pastor bears the primary responsibility of Seven Mile Road and must ensure that she accomplishes her God-given mission.  

• Church Planting | Committed to emphasizing and leading Seven Mile Road to be a church-planting church.  

What You Bring: 

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Lead Pastor:

Education & Experience

• Seminary degree required
• 5+ years of pastoral ministry experience required
• 3+ years of leadership experience preferred
• Experience leading a multi-ethnic congregation. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership skills
• Ability to develop and articulate a mission/vision, inspire, build support, and mobilize the church community toward fulfilling its purpose
• A strong expositional, gospel-centered preacher with experience in pastoral ministry, leadership training, discipleship, and evangelism
• High relational interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively with our staff and compassionately minister to cross-cultural and multi-ethnic demographics
• The ability to envision and revitalize, spearheading change and taking wise risks as needed
• Ability to develop and equip elders and deacons within the church to share the weight of leadership and fulfill our vision
• Values a shared teaching/preaching model and leadership collaboration with the other pastors

Personal Characteristics & Qualifications

• Has a character that matches the Biblical qualifications stated in 1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1
• High value for humility and servant leadership
• Senses a clear calling and desire (1 Timothy 3:1 & 1 Peter 5:1-4) for pastoral ministry, particularly in a church like Seven Mile Road
• Affirms the values and theological distinctive of the Acts 29 Network
• Aligns in faith and practice with SMRs Statement of Faith, other statements found in our Membership Handbook, and our Bylaws
• Evidence of a committed, mature, and deepening intimacy with Jesus

What it's Like to Live in Philadelphia, PA: 

Living in Northeast Philadelphia offers a unique blend of urban convenience and suburban charm. This diverse and dynamic region of the city boasts a wide range of amenities, making it an attractive place to call home. The area is characterized by its strong sense of community, with many tight-knit neighborhoods where neighbors look out for each other. You'll find a plethora of parks and green spaces, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, picnics, and family gatherings. Furthermore, the Northeast is home to a vibrant culinary scene, with an array of international restaurants and local eateries offering diverse cuisines that reflect the area's rich cultural diversity.

Northeast Philly is well-connected to the rest of the city through various public transportation options, including bus routes and the Market-Frankford Line, making it relatively easy to commute to downtown Philadelphia for work or leisure activities. Residents here also benefit from an array of shopping centers and retail districts. Moreover, the surrounding suburbs are home to many of the region’s top-rated public schools, making it an attractive choice for families. It’s a welcoming and lively part of the Philadelphia region, offering a unique living experience somewhere between bustling city living and low-key suburbia.

Think you're a great fit for this role? Become a candidate below.