Job Overview

De Smet Community Church (“DCC”), located in De Smet, SD, seeks a full-time head pastor to lead our growing congregation.  DCC is an independent, bible-teaching church serving De Smet and several surrounding communities.  We seek a head pastor who loves God’s Word, sound doctrine, and expository preaching.  Additional information regarding DCC may be found here: https://desmetcommunitychurch.com.

De Smet, the “Little Town on the Prairie” written about by Laura Ingalls Wilder in five of her books, is a flourishing eastern South Dakota small town.  It boasts multiple restaurants, thriving businesses, an event center, a hospital and multiple medical clinics, a community pool, golf course and country club, public parks, and a very active and engaged school district (including a new school building).  De Smet is a tourism hub featuring many Laura Ingalls Wilder sites and events.  Nearby Manchester is the birthplace of world-renowned painter Harvey Dunn, and a Painting on the Prairie plein air painting event is held annually by the local Harvey Dunn Society.  Our community is surrounded by world class glacial lakes and features wonderful fishing/ice-fishing, boating, hunting, camping, snowmobiling, and various other outdoor activities.  In April 2024, De Smet was named the #2 Best Small Town Culture Scene in USA Today. Additional information regarding De Smet can be found here: https://desmetsd.com/visit and https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-small-town-cultural-scene-2024/.

Job Description

We seek a head pastor who can effectively lead, teach, and sheperd our congregation.  The successful applicant must love God’s Word, sound doctrine, and expository preaching.  Essential job requirements include:

• Agreement with the DCC Statement of Faith – The successful applicant must substantially agree with all aspects of the DCC Statement of Faith, available at: https://desmetcommunitychurch.com/about-us/what-we-believe/.

• Lead – Lead DCC as it seeks to effectively worship God in love and adoration; teach sound doctrine; love and serve each other and our neighbors; and reach out to our community and beyond with the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

• Preach – Provide clear, expositional preaching that is faithful to God’s Word

• Worship – Organize and lead DCC worship services

• Connect – Connect with and develop relationships with DCC church members and their families, as well as those in our broader community

• Visit – Visit the sick, homebound, and bereaved

• Small Groups – Help to organize and lead small groups, bible studies, and Sunday school classes

• Counseling – Provide pastoral counseling to members in need

• Preside over weddings, funerals, and similar customary church events