Senior Pastor

Fall Creek Church – Indianapolis, IN

"The mission of Fall Creek Church is to GATHER, GO, SERVE, and GROW."

Who We Are

We are prayerfully seeking a Senior Pastor who is first and foremost a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, demonstrating a vibrant and continually growing relationship with Him. The Senior Pastor will serve as the primary spiritual leader of the church, modeling Christlike character and shepherding the congregation with integrity, wisdom, and humility.

Fall Creek Church is seeking to fill the vacancy left by a faithful Senior Pastor of 21 years. We reside on a 44-acre plot of land and have 243 active members. We are a participating member of the Southern Baptist Convention and are affiliated with the Crossroads Baptist Association. We follow an Elder model of leadership, supported by a Deacon and Deaconess ministry, under our 2023 Constitution and Bylaws.

Having been shepherded by one faithful pastor for more than two decades, we are praying earnestly for a shepherd who senses a long-term call to know and love this congregation, to put down roots among us, and to lead us faithfully for many years to come.

What We Are Looking For

We recognize that the right shepherd may not check every box of experience. We are willing to consider a candidate with less Senior Pastor ministry experience who demonstrates genuine theological depth, a shepherd's heart, and the relational warmth that draws people to Christ. The qualifications below are arranged to make clear what we hold as essential, what we treasure most in a shepherd, and what would cause a candidate to stand out.

Essential Qualifications (required of every candidate)

• Meets the scriptural qualifications of a Pastor / Overseer (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:6–9).
• A disciple of Jesus Christ who evidences a vibrant and continually growing relationship with Him
• Wholehearted, unwavering agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message (2000), the Nashville Statement, and the doctrine, mission, and 2023 Constitution and Bylaws of Fall Creek Church
• Committed to a holy lifestyle that is a godly model for the entire congregation — adults, young adults, students, children, and families
• A proven history of Southern Baptist Convention involvement and a commitment to ongoing SBC cooperation and initiatives at FCC.
• Ordained, or willing to be ordained, within a Southern Baptist church.
• Able and willing to lead, teach, and uphold the doctrine and mission of Fall Creek Church.

The Heart of the Shepherd We Seek (our highest priorities)

Above titles and credentials, we are seeking a man whose character and calling fit the long-term shepherding of this flock:

• Relational and present: genuinely loves people, is approachable and personally engaged, and desires to know and be known by the congregation rather than to lead from a distance.
• A servant's heart: leads with humility and gentleness, with an evident love and passion for serving the Lord and His people
• Theologically grounded: rightly handles the Word of God, preaches with doctrinal integrity and conviction, and is able to disciple others in sound teaching.
• Called for the long haul: senses a lasting call to Fall Creek Church and desires a long-tenured ministry here, not a stepping-stone to elsewhere.
• A peacemaker: handles conflict and disagreement in a biblical, Christlike manner.
• Adaptable: able to shepherd the church faithfully through seasons of need, growth, and change.

Preferred & Distinguishing Qualifications (not required)

• A Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or higher degree.
• Prior full-time pastoral experience (senior pastor, associate pastor, youth pastor, or similar).
• A demonstrated record of longevity and faithfulness in previous ministry roles.
• Experience serving within an Elder-led congregation.
• Proficiency in the administrative dimensions of the role.
• Strong, demonstrated communication and leadership skills.

Core Responsibilities

• Preaching & Teaching: Serve as the primary teacher of the congregation, providing expository sermons with doctrinal integrity and fostering spiritual growth through Sunday services and other educational programs.
• Pastoral Care & Shepherding: Know and care for the flock personally, providing counseling and visitation in coordination with the Deacon and Deaconess ministry, and presiding over the ordinances of believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper.
• Visionary Leadership: Lead the church in fulfilling its mission, collaborating with the Elders, deacons, and staff on strategic and financial planning.
• Staff Supervision: Manage, mentor, and develop the church staff.
• SBC Affiliation: Maintain the church's standing and cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention at the local, state, and national levels.