Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Pastor – Maranatha Church of God (Portland, OR)

Full-Time | Portland, Oregon

Meet Maranatha Church of God

Maranatha Church of God is a historic congregation that has long embraced a diverse and multicultural community. While shaped by its African-American heritage, the church values welcoming people from every background and seeks to restore the rich diversity it has experienced in years past.

Located in Portland, Oregon, Maranatha has faithfully served for decades through heartfelt worship, biblical teaching, and a strong community presence. The church is entering a new season of revitalization. It is prayerfully seeking a Christ-centered, relational, and visionary Senior Pastor to lead them into a vibrant future of spiritual growth, generational engagement, and renewed ministry development.

Church Overview Snapshot

• Location: Northeast Portland, Oregon
• Average Attendance: Approximately 60 (with a legacy of 1,100+ in prior decades)
• Worship Style: Blended (gospel, contemporary, and traditional elements)
• Facilities: Sanctuary, classrooms, fellowship areas, and office space
• Staff: Part-time secretary; external bookkeeper
• Governance: Board of Directors, Board of Elders, Deacons, ministry leaders
• Community: Historically diverse neighborhood with significant opportunity for outreach

Our Strengths as a Church

• A faithful, committed core of long-time members
• A legacy of cultural and generational diversity
• Leadership teams eager for revitalization and growth
• A strong foundation of prayer, worship, and biblical teaching
• A heart for community engagement and outreach
• Congregational readiness to rebuild ministries and welcome new families

About the Senior Pastor

The Senior Pastor will be the primary spiritual leader of Maranatha Church of God—preaching the Word of God, shepherding the congregation, and guiding the church into renewed health and vitality. The ideal candidate will be biblically grounded, culturally intelligent, emotionally mature, and relationally warm.

They will be a strong preacher and teacher, an empathetic shepherd, and a strategic leader who can engage multiple generations. The pastor should embrace Maranatha’s heritage while cultivating a vibrant, diverse, multicultural church community.

Responsibilities Preaching, Teaching, and Spiritual Leadership

• Serve as the primary preacher, delivering biblically rooted and practical messages
• Oversee Bible studies, discipleship groups, prayer meetings, and teaching environments
• Equip the congregation for ministry in alignment with Ephesians 4:11–12
• Maintain a consistent rhythm of prayer, study, and spiritual growth
• Provide spiritual insight and vision for the direction of ministries

Pastoral Care and Congregational Support

• Offer pastoral counseling to individuals and families
• Provide home, hospital, and crisis visitations
• Officiate weddings, funerals, and other pastoral ceremonies
• Ensure members feel known, supported, and spiritually encouraged
• Support the development of a loving, unified church family

Leadership, Vision, and Ministry Revitalization

• Cast and communicate a compelling long-term vision for the church
• Lead Maranatha from maintenance mode into a mission-driven ministry
• Rebuild or strengthen ministries, including: youth, children, women, small groups, outreach, and leadership development
• Develop, equip, and mentor lay leaders and ministry volunteers
• Encourage participation in ministry and service across the congregation
• Foster a culture of unity, growth, and spiritual development

Administrative and Organizational Leadership

• Provide coaching, accountability, and periodic evaluations for paid staff
• Oversee and support volunteer ministry leaders
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors on governance, policies, and annual budgeting
• Work with the Board of Elders on spiritual matters impacting the church
• Ensure proper administration of church bylaws and operational policies
• Use administrative tools and technology effectively for planning and communication

Worship at Maranatha

Maranatha embraces a blended worship style that reflects its heart and heritage, including gospel-inspired music, contemporary praise, traditional hymns, and an expressive worship atmosphere. The next pastor should feel comfortable in a worship environment that values both historic depth and creative expression.

Vision and Priorities for the Next Season First-Year Priorities

• Build relationships across all generations
• Strengthen preaching and worship planning rhythms
• Revitalize youth and children’s ministries
• Re-establish small groups and discipleship pathways
• Foster unity, hope, and renewed spiritual energy
• Increase community visibility and outreach impact

Three- to Five-Year Vision

• Move toward 400 active members
• Restore multicultural and multigenerational diversity
• Rebuild ministries across all age groups
• Strengthen leadership development pipelines
• Increase baptisms, salvations, and spiritual formation
• Renew Maranatha as a thriving hub in its community

What You Bring Spiritual and Personal Qualifications

• A mature, growing relationship with Jesus Christ
• A life characterized by humility, integrity, prayer, and emotional health
• Spirit-led discernment and wisdom in leadership and decision-making

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree is preferred
• A Master of Divinity (MDiv) is strongly valued
• A minimum of five years of preaching experience in a pastoral or ministry leadership role
• Demonstrated leadership in a faith-based or church organization
• Experience shepherding congregations and guiding organizational or spiritual growth
• Multicultural ministry experience (African-American context preferred)

Leadership and Ministry Skills

• Strong preaching and teaching ability
• Ability to connect with all ages and backgrounds
• Visionary, strategic, and capable of leading revitalization
• Experience mentoring and equipping leaders and volunteers
• Competence in administration, planning, and church governance
• Comfort leading with a limited administrative staff
• Ability to use modern communication and organization tools

Compensation and Benefits

Total compensation: $92,000, including salary, housing allowance, and medical benefits.

Additional details will be provided during the interview process.

What It’s Like to Live in Portland, OR

Portland is a culturally rich, diverse, and creative city surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. Residents enjoy mild summers, four-season beauty, the nearby mountains and rivers, and the Oregon Coast. The city also offers a vibrant food scene, diverse neighborhoods, and opportunities for impactful community-based ministry.

Portland provides a meaningful setting for ministry, blending urban culture with natural beauty.

Think You’re a Great Fit for This Role?

We would love to hear from you. (Please note that the Christian Career Center is managing the recruiting process for this position.) To apply, please submit:

1. Your résumé
2. A cover letter describing your interest and ministry fit, links to 2–3 recent sermon videos or audio recordings, and three references (at least one pastoral)

Job Tags

Full time, Part time, Summer work, Live in, Work at office,

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