Executive Pastor
Southern Hills Baptist Church
Tulsa, Oklahoma
This Page Contains
Opportunity Profile
Church Summary
The mission of Southern Hills Baptist Church is to be a people who increasingly love God, love others, and make disciples. Our essential strategy to accomplish that mission is symbolized in our logo of a thriving tree with visible roots going deep into the soil. We seek to get people GROUNDED in a personal relationship with Christ and His church; teach them how to be GROWING in their life in Christ; and lead and equip them to be GIVING their lives in ministry and on mission to love and serve others. Bottom line: it is our desire to work as a church and partner with others to see lives transformed in our city, our nation, and our world.
The leadership and congregation have become convinced that we can be much more effective in accomplishing our mission by bringing an Executive Pastor on board for the first time in the life of our church. We are in an exciting period of transition in the ministry of our church. We are in the process of clarifying our vision and putting together a new strategic plan for the next 5 years and beyond and we are in the planning stage with an architectural firm for a major renovation and building project that will triple our preschool space, and double our children and youth space, as well as address other critical space needs. Again, the role of the Executive Pastor will be critical in accomplishing our mission and strategic plans.
SHBC Is A Unique Baptist Church
We are a friendly and loving congregation, full of very talented, busy people. We believe in strong relationships and are a great place to work. Our worship style is blended (leaning contemporary) featuring a choir, praise team, and band. We are conservative in our doctrine (see the ten essential ones below) and teaching but liberal/creative in our methodology. We are known as a grace-oriented church that is forgiving and accepting. We are affiliated with the SBC but not bound at all by denominational lines.
Our present weekend schedule of services reflects some of our uniqueness and creative methodology:
- Friday PM
- Celebrate Recovery (dinner at 6pm, worship at 7, small groups at 8, coffee and dessert at 9)
- Sunday
- Kidstuf (a shared family worship experience)- 9 am
- Bible Study (all ages)- 9:45 am
- Worship- 11 am
- Hispanic Mission Worship- 4 pm
- The Gathering (an emerging church worship experience for young adults)- 6:30 pm
[No Sunday PM worship service other than The Gathering]
Overview of the Executive Pastor Position
(also stated in the Job Description)
The Ex. Pastor will provide leadership for the development of the ministries of Southern Hills Baptist Church, so that it fulfills a defined mission and reflects core values. Providing leadership would include key functions of Staff Development, Strategic Leadership, Planning and Pastoral responsibilities and work in conjunction with Staff Committee and Deacon Advisory Council. The Executive Pastor will be a leader who complements the gifts of the Senior Pastor. The Executive Pastor will serve as the operational bridge between the developments of the strategy / vision and development of specific ministry plans by each pastor or ministry director. The Executive Pastor will report directly to the Senior Pastor. The Executive Pastor will oversee all Associate Pastors, Ministry Directors, Business Administrator, personnel and related support staff.
The primary areas of focus for the Ex. Pastor will be staff development and managerial responsibilities, strategic leadership and planning, oversee aspects of adult ministries and volunteer development, and pastoral assignments as necessary. The Ex. Pastor will not be expected to preach but, if that is an area of giftedness and interest, will be given occasional opportunities to do so.
Our Setting
SHBC is located in what has been described as the midtown area of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Tulsa Metropolitan area is a growing area of Oklahoma and is located in what is called "Green Country." Contrary to the usual picture that comes to mind, Tulsa is in the northeast part of the state, which has a topography of lush green rolling hills with lots of trees, plants, and flowers. Tulsa has more of a Midwest flavor versus a Southwest flavor as a city. It has great school systems and offers all the advantages of larger city life while at the same time being a great place to raise a family.
SHBC has an average attendance of about 700 in worship on Sunday mornings. In addition to that we have 125+ attending Celebrate Recovery worship on Friday nights, 170+ attending the Kidstuf shared family worship on Sunday mornings, about 60+ attending the Hispanic service, and 75+ attending The Gathering Worship on Sunday nights.
We have challenges in terms of our parking and land-locked space. This past year we purchased a small office complex adjacent to our property on the north side which will provide some relief. In the meantime we are beginning to look for land to consider for the future as well.
Job Description
As approved by the church, March 8, 2006
I.Job Title: Executive Pastor
II.Classification: Full time - Ministerial Staff
III.Principal Function
Provide leadership for the development of the ministries of Southern Hills Baptist Church, so that it fulfills a defined mission and reflects core values. Providing leadership would include key functions of Staff Development, Strategic Leadership, Planning and Pastoral responsibilities and work in conjunction with Staff Committee and Deacon Advisory Council. The Executive Pastor will be a leader who complements the gifts of the Senior Pastor. The Executive Pastor will serve as the operational bridge between the developments of the strategy / vision and development of specific ministry plans by each pastor or ministry director. The Executive Pastor will report directly to the Senior Pastor. The Executive Pastor will oversee all Associate Pastors, Ministry Directors, Business Administrator, personnel and related support staff. The Executive Pastor position will be selected and approved by the Staff Committee with the advice and consent of Senior Pastor.
IV.Staff Development & Managerial Responsibilities
This role of supporting and enabling people to meaningfully engage in the work of the church. This includes supervision of Pastoral, Directorial Staff, Volunteers and Support Staff.
- Develop the pastoral team to provide leadership for the ministries of SHBC.
- Lead staff meetings and planning retreats.
- Be available to the pastors and directors to assist in making on-going decisions.
- Directly responsible for hiring and termination of Associate Pastors, Directors, Business Administrator, and Support Staff after the advice and consent from Senior Pastor and/or Staff Committee and/or appropriate Search Committee.
V. Strategic Leadership and Planning
- Oversee the development, implementation, follow-through, evaluation of an annual strategic plan, ministry plans and budget requirements of all ministries and operations of the church.
- Monitor and communicate the state of the ministry areas and staff responsibilities so that team unity is apparent and Pastors, Directors, Deacons and other leaders know how their part fits into the whole development of the church.
- Assist the Senior Pastor in giving direction through establishing and clearly communicating vision, goals and plans to Pastoral, Directors, and Support Staff.
VI.Pastoral Responsibilities
- Engages with people on staff, in church or community on a personal and spiritual level to encourage them to develop their relationship with the Lord.
- Walks consistently with the Lord and demonstrates faith and obedience in personal life and ministry.
VII.Qualitifications and Experience
- Must at a minimum have a bachelor degree from an accredited college or university; some seminary training preferred but not required.
- Must have at least 2 years supervisory or management experience and a seminary degree OR 5 or more years experience in budgeting and personnel management with a church or corporation.
- Must have 5 or more years of leadership experience either on a church staff or as a lay leader, in either case, having shown evidence of understanding and supporting both ministerial and lay leaders, as well as demonstrating skills in motivating both a peer and employees.
- Must have effective communication skills, possess a positive attitude, and be enthusiastic in carrying out the vision of the church.
Our Statement of Faith
Three things are vital to us in understanding our belief
- in essential beliefs we have UNITY
- in non-essential beliefs we have LIBERTY
- in all our beliefs we have CHARITY
What Does SHBC Believe?
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
2.About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:23-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
3.About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18)
4.About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5)
5.About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 2:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
6.About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
7.About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. (John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
8.About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 2:25, 3:16, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8, 2:44, 46)
9.About the Second Comint
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will someday personally return to this earth to reign in glory and honor. No one knows when, only that He will come and we should live each day in a state of readiness for His return. (Matthew 24:36-44; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 1:7)
10.About the Church
The Church is the spiritual body of which Christ is the Head. It includes all who have been spiritually reborn into the Kingdom of Heaven. Its mission is to love God, love others, and to serve Him faithfully by making disciples of all peoples of the world. The ordinances of the Church are baptism and the Lord's Supper. (Matthew 16:18, 22:36-40, 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Ephesians 1:22-23, 3:10-11, 4:11-16)
Our Core Values
Recognizing that without love all we do is meaningless, we the people of Southern Hills Baptist Church hereby commit to love God and others as He has commanded us in all we say and do. Therefore the love of God compels us to value:
- Being God-centered; reflected by our constant dependence upon God, the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and our commitment to do what Jesus would do. (Colossians 3:17)
- Worship as a congregation and as individuals using a variety of expressions to honor God. (Psalm 150)
- Being grace-oriented; accepting all persons, inviting everyone and anyone to "come as they are" and freely receive God's grace and forgiveness in Christ and join together in extending His grace to others. (Ephesians 4:32)
- Being Bible-based in every facet of our church life including preaching, teaching, and counseling, while maintaining culturally relevant applications for living.
- Prayer; believing that prayer changes lives and changes the world. (John 15:7)
- Warm fellowship; encouraging all people by seeking to meet the needs of families and individuals, inviting them into an authentic, intimate community of believers. (Acts 2:41, 46-47)
- Being outward-focused; committed to the Great Commission and driven by the desire to see the lost saved, the inactive reclaimed, and the poor and disenfranchised lifted up, while providing challenge, inspiration, training, and opportunities for accomplishing this purpose. (Matthew 28:17-20)
- Developing committed Christians; growing effective disciples who are progressing toward spiritual maturity reflected in Christ-like lifestyles characterized by integrity, faithful stewardship, and worldwide concern. (2 Timothy 2:15)
- Servant Attitudes evidenced through corporate and personal ministries carried out by members serving in His name both in and outside the church. (2 Corinthians 4:5)
- Unity and Teamwork as we seek to discover, develop, and utilize the many spiritual gifts God has given our fellowship to enable innovation, creativity, and excellence in the work God has given us. (Roman 12:4-5)
Contact Information
Hess Hester, Sr. Pastor
Steve Murphy, Staff Committee Chairman
