Job Overview

Mt. Vernon, a town of about 15,000 and the county seat, is situated in rural southern Illinois at the crossroads of two interstate highways, an hour east of St. Louis, Missouri. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Vernon,_Illinois)

Second Baptist (https://2bcmtv.org/ ) is a Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated church with 120 members and approximately 150 in attendance most Sundays. Our mission is three-fold: to delight in God, to display his grace and to declare his gospel. Though there are many faithful churches in our area, we are one of the very few with Reformed soteriology. That reality, together with an emphasis on expository preaching, meaningful church membership and a plurality of shepherding elders in leadership, makes Second Baptist distinct from most other churches here.

A wonderful eight-year tenure under our former lead pastor ended in September 2025. God used his gifting as a preacher and intentionality in building a functioning plurality of elders to bring the church to greater health and unity. In the next season, we would like to build on the good things the Lord did among us over the past 8 years. Our aim is to keep the gospel at the center of our life together, growing in faith, love and wisdom as we live for God's supremacy in all things.

Job Description

The Lead Pastor will join a team of 5 other pastors/elders who are currently carrying the shepherding responsibilities and rotating through preaching on Sundays. He will move into elder team leadership as "first among equals" and the only full-time pastor (one other elder is on staff at 10 hours/week; the other four elders serve fully as volunteers). The Lead Pastor will set the church's direction together with the other pastors, so we are looking for a "team player" but are also eager to be led. He will do the lion's share of the Sunday preaching, so we are looking for someone who values biblical exposition and doctrinal clarity made applicable to life. He will be heavily involved in the soul care of church members, so we are looking for a man who has the heart of a shepherd. He will oversee the weekly rhythms and activities of our small staff, so we are looking for someone willing to do a minimal amount of managing.

Compared to many other churches in our area, we are a relatively young church, with many parents who take seriously their responsibility to disciple their own children. Some of them drive long distances to participate because of the distinctives of Second Baptist that they value. As such, one of our challenges is how to equip the saints for works of service in their own, quite spread-out locations. A Lead Pastor who prioritizes equipping for evangelism and service – helping the church develop vision for gospel-centered engagement in the various communities where we live – will be a tremendous asset.

As we are involved in both local and statewide associations of churches, we would appreciate a Lead Pastor who takes a cooperative posture toward other leaders and churches in our area, including those who do not share our core convictions. We do not anticipate many responsibilities in those circles but want to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.