Lead Pastor Posting Process
Our Approach
When a church begins the journey of calling a Senior or Lead Pastor, our desire is to serve both the church and potential candidates well. Healthy pastorates are built on clarity, prayerful discernment, and honest alignment between a church and its next pastor.
To support that goal, the Association follows the approach outlined below when churches request that a Senior or Lead Pastor opening be posted on the Association’s website.
Starting Point: The Pastor & Church Profile (Required)
Before a Senior or Lead Pastor position is posted, churches are asked to complete a Pastor & Church Profile. This profile provides the foundation for the entire search process and helps ensure clarity, transparency, and alignment from the beginning.
The profile addresses:
- the church’s mission, values, and current ministry context,
- strengths, challenges, and priorities for the next season,
- leadership qualities and expectations for the next Senior or Lead Pastor,
- compensation and benefits planning, including a realistic salary range aligned with the church’s capacity, expectations, and long-term sustainability.
As part of this step, the Association serves in a consultative role, walking alongside church leadership to review and strengthen the profile— including compensation considerations — so it accurately reflects the church’s calling and stewardship.
Only churches that complete the Pastor & Church Profile and engage the Association in this consultative process will have their Senior or Lead Pastor opening featured on the Association’s website.
Once the profile is completed, the following recommended steps help guide a healthy and prayerful search.
Clarifying Church Health & Readiness
With the Pastor & Church Profile in place, churches are encouraged to reflect honestly on their current season—what is healthy, what needs attention, and what kind of leadership will best serve the church moving forward.
What this looks like:
• Completing a brief Church Health & Readiness overview within the profile process
Beginning with Prayerful Discernment
Calling a pastor is a spiritual process first. We encourage churches to engage in intentional prayer, involve the congregation appropriately, and seek wise counsel as they move forward.
What this looks like:
• Confirmation that the church is approaching the search prayerfully and intentionally
Creating a Clear Position Description
Clear communication helps candidates discern fit early. A well-defined position description aligned with the Pastor & Church Profile provides that clarity.
What this looks like:
• A finalized position description that reflects the church’s priorities, expectations, and compensation framework
Outlining a Thoughtful Search Process
Healthy searches create space for relationships, mutual discernment, and clear next steps. We encourage churches to outline how candidates will be engaged throughout the process.
What this looks like:
• A brief overview of the search and interview process
Planning for a Ministry Covenant
Strong pastor–church relationships are built on shared expectations and mutual support. We encourage churches to plan for a ministry covenant with their next pastor to establish healthy rhythms, accountability, and care.
What this looks like:
• A commitment to develop a ministry covenant once a pastor is called
What Happens Next
Once these steps are completed, the Association is glad to:
- feature the position on the Association’s website,
- share the opportunity through appropriate networks,
- present the church and role clearly and accurately to potential candidates,
- and serve as a trusted partner throughout the process.
We also ask churches to keep us informed as the search progresses and to notify us when the position has been filled.
Our Commitment
Our goal is not simply to help churches fill a position, but to support a prayerful, healthy, and sustainable pastoral calling—for both the church and the pastor.
Candidate Notice
The Nashville Baptist Association works to encourage clarity and healthy process when churches post pastoral openings. However, the Association does not independently verify all statements or commitments made by churches.
Pastoral candidates are encouraged to prayerfully discern each opportunity and to personally evaluate a church’s health, culture, leadership dynamics, compensation, and expectations.
The Nashville Baptist Association makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or fulfillment of information provided by churches and assumes no responsibility for the outcome of a pastoral call.
Pastor Search
When a church begins the process of calling a Senior or Lead Pastor, clarity and alignment are essential. The Nashville Baptist Association (NBA) exists to help churches approach this moment prayerfully, wisely, and responsibly.
Required First Step: Pastor & Church Profile
Before a Senior or Lead Pastor position is posted on the NBA website, churches must complete a Pastor & Church Profile. This profile provides clear insight into the church’s mission, current ministry context, leadership expectations, and compensation planning.
The NBA serves in a consultative role during this step, helping churches strengthen clarity, alignment, and stewardship. Only churches that complete this process will have their position featured on the NBA website.
A Healthy Search Process
We encourage churches to pursue a search marked by:
- Honest reflection on church health and readiness
- Intentional prayer and discernment
- A clear position description and search process
- Planning for a ministry covenant once a pastor is called
Our Commitment
Our goal is not simply to help fill a position, but to support healthy, prayerful, and sustainable pastoral callings for both churches and pastors.
Ready to Get Started?
If your church is considering posting a Senior or Lead Pastor position, contact the Nashville Baptist Association to begin the process.