Job Board

Magnolia Church, Riverside, CA is seeking a Lead Pastor. The Lead Pastor’s primary responsibility is vision casting. He is responsible for leading and equipping the Church to function as a New Testament Church. He will also be responsible for providing leadership in the areas of preaching, teaching, and pastoral care. The Lead Pastor’s calling to ministry will be evidenced as he mobilizes the Church to live out The Great Commandment and fulfill The Great Commission.

The Lead Pastor is to focus on these primary goals: (1) spiritual teaching for the Church under the authority and direction of God as revealed through His Holy Spirit and Scripture, (2) leading and directing worship services of the Church, (3) Bible study and preparation for evangelical preaching and teaching, (4) discerning and communicating the vision for the Church, and (5) commitment to prayer and growth in personal discipleship.

Education and Experience

• Post-graduate degree(s) from an accredited Southern Baptist Seminary or other institution consistent with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
• 15 years of proven ministerial leadership and pastoral experience.
• Previous experience as a Lead Pastor.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads by planning, coordinating, and implementing the visionary functions of Magnolia Church, and collaborating with the staff, deacons, committees, and other church leaders to carry them out.
• Proclaims the Word of God through the preaching and teaching ministries of the church by using sound biblical doctrine with high priority given to the text.
• Leads Magnolia Church by coordinating and conducting worship services, funeral services, wedding ceremonies, and administering the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
• Leads Magnolia Church by teaching discipleship, evangelism, leadership development, and spiritual disciplines.
• Cares for families by providing pastoral ministry and initial Biblical counseling as needed or requested; coordinating hospital visitation with staff, Deacons, and Life Group leaders, and making hospital visits when needed.
• Leads by directly supervising the Executive, Worship, and Magnolia Español Pastors, the Finance Director, and the Staff Chaplain, as well as coordinating and assigning all other staff supervision.
• Leads all staff to accomplish the church’s overall objectives by cultivating, facilitating, and demonstrating cooperation, teamwork, unity, and collaboration.
• Provides church oversight by working closely with the Trustees, Deacons, Personnel Committee, Enlistment Committee, and the Global Ministry Team, along with appropriate staff members.
• Serves Magnolia Church by acting as liaison in an ex-officio capacity with committees and task groups.
• Leads staffing matters by recommending action to hire, transfer, or terminate the services of ministerial staff members; if approved, carries out appropriate action.
• Contributes to church financial management by working closely with the Executive Pastor, Financial Director, and the Trustees on development, promotion, and monitoring of the church budget.
• Helps to assimilate new members into the body by working closely with the staff and Deacon Ministry to maintain active follow-up; discovers, implements, and maintains materials to best assimilate new members into the total life of the church; develops and conducts ongoing New Members Orientation class known as the Connect Class throughout the year.
• Supports Men’s Ministry and Adult Ministry Teams by providing vision, leadership and training.
• Develops emerging leaders from within the congregation and other churches with similar mission and vision by providing mentoring and training.
• Fosters and maintains good relations with Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) entities (i.e. Inland Empire Southern Baptist Association, the California Southern Baptist Convention, The Baptist Foundation of California, the Southern Baptist Convention, Gateway Seminary, and California Baptist University) by presenting and representing Magnolia Church as a strong and supportive partner outside of denominational life and activities.
• Honors God and family by maintaining a devotional life, as well as by putting family needs before career goals.

About Magnolia Church:

Connect, Grow, Serve and Go, combined with Acts 1:8, is the vision of Magnolia Church. In one form or another, this has been the vision of Magnolia Church throughout its history.

When plans were being finalized to move California Baptist College to its present location in Riverside, the concept of Magnolia Avenue Southern Baptist Church was born in the hearts and minds of a few students and faculty. They began to pray and plan for such a church even before moving to the city. They were under the deep conviction that a church adjacent to the college was essential to under-girding the spiritual life of the college family. Thus, an early vision of Connect, Grow, Serve and Go led to the location, organization, and development of Magnolia Church.

Since that humble beginning in 1955, Magnolia Church has continued to live out and broaden its vision to a growing Inland Empire. This broadening has included the physical expansion of the campus. Under the leadership of gifted pastors and lay leaders, the campus currently encompasses 100,000 square feet of worship and education space with a current resident membership of 1500. Current lead pastor, Dr. Montia Setzler, has brought vision and growth to the church for 25 years.

Although ministry programs have changed over time, there has been a consistent focus on evangelism and discipleship to train church members to effectively live out the church’s vision within the church family and the community at large. Magnolia Church has supported Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic language groups as they endeavor to reach the increasingly diverse “Jerusalem” that is the Inland Empire. Having a desire to truly embrace Acts 1:8, Magnolia Church has further extended its vision to encompass its Judea, Samaria and “to the ends of the earth.” Connect, Grow, Serve, and Go and Acts 1:8 are not just words. They are integral to the identity, history and mission of Magnolia Church to “lead people to become authentic followers of Jesus Christ.”

About Riverside, CA:

Riverside is in the heart of the Inland Empire in Southern California. It is a bustling city with a small-town feel, perfectly nestled between the beach, desert and mountains. With a current population of 320,000, it is known as the City of Arts and Innovation. Riverside is home to a growing base of technology companies and has quickly become a center for innovation in Southern California. With a workforce drawn from and inspired by its four local colleges and universities, Riverside has developed a reputation for developing tech companies and other entrepreneurial ventures from the ground up.

Riverside’s beautiful climate (78-degree average temperature) makes it the epicenter of walking, hiking, and biking in SoCal. Outdoor enthusiasts visiting Riverside can enjoy Mount Rubidoux, one of its 59 parks, and beautiful Victoria Avenue. Riverside boasts twelve performing arts venues and more than 20 annual festivals and events. Riverside offers something for each member of the family.

Please look over this job description and the church website. Along with your cover letter and resume, please respond to these questions:

(1) Why do you believe that you might be a good fit as the lead pastor of Magnolia Church?
(2) Describe your experiences in ministry and how you may be qualified to serve as the Lead Pastor of Magnolia Church.
(3) In just a few sentences, please give a summary of your theology and how that is in line with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.

Please send cover letter, resume, your response to the above questions, and a link to at least one online sermon to pastorsearch@magonline.com.