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What does a Lead Pastor do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A lead pastor is the primary teaching and administrative pastor of a church. He is responsible for the overall vision and direction of the church, as well as the preaching and teaching ministry. The lead pastor also provides spiritual guidance and leadership to the staff and congregation.

Lead Pastor job duties include:

  • Act as the primary preacher and teacher for the church
  • Provide leadership and direction for all church staff and volunteers
  • Oversee the development and implementation of all church programs
  • Develop and maintain relationships with church members and the community
  • Manage the finances of the church
  • Plan and oversee all worship services
  • Provide spiritual guidance and counseling to individuals and families
  • Disciples new believers and helps them grow in their faith
  • Oversees all outreach and evangelism efforts
  • Leads the church in its mission and vision

Lead Pastor Job Requirements

A Lead Pastor typically has a college degree, although some churches may require a seminary degree. They are usually ordained in their denomination and have several years of experience working in a church, although some churches may prefer that the Lead Pastor be new to the church. The Lead Pastor is responsible for preaching, teaching, and providing spiritual guidance to the congregation. They may also be responsible for administrative tasks, such as overseeing the church staff and budget.

Lead Pastor Skills

  • Leadership
  • Preaching
  • Teaching
  • Counseling
  • Visionary
  • Strategic
  • Organizational
  • Communication
  • Relationship-builder
  • Team-player
  • Empowering

Related: Top Lead Pastor Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Lead Pastor

The role of a lead pastor is to provide spiritual guidance and leadership to a congregation. In order to become a lead pastor, one must first be ordained as a minister. Ordination is typically obtained through a seminary or other religious institution. Once ordained, the individual can then apply to become a lead pastor at a church. The process of becoming a lead pastor may vary depending on the denomination of the church.

Related: Lead Pastor Resume Example

Related: Lead Pastor Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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