Senior Pastor

Description

Applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter stating why they are applying for the position and what specifically draws them to First Baptist Ottawa.

Overview of Church and Community

We are a historic downtown congregation founded in 1857, located near Parliament, the Municipal Government, and the University of Ottawa main campus. Our current membership of 105 comes from all parts of the greater Ottawa and Gatineau metropolitan areas. The congregation encompasses a wide variety of ethnic and racial groups, occupations, lifestyles, and backgrounds. In terms of age our congregation ranges from pre-school children to seniors in their nineties coming from a variety of household and family types. Our average weekly in-person attendance in 2025 was eighty with 15-40 persons live streaming our worship services online through You Tube or viewing our services during the week on the church website.

The congregation is inclusive and welcomes people with a range of theological views, reflecting its commitment to the historic Baptist principles of soul liberty and congregational autonomy. First Baptist Ottawa has had a long history of involvement with ecumenical and inter-faith activities including the Christian Council of the Capital Area, the Centretown Churches Social Action Committee, the Multifaith Housing Initiative and Restoring Hope- a shelter for homeless youth that runs out of our building seven nights a week.

We have a number of families with children in our congregation. We want to strengthen our Christian Education Program generally and specifically build on a recently initiated youth program for those in their teens. Our church school attendance currently averages sixteen.

More generally we wish to be a fully alive faith community which offers a meaningful worship experience and varied opportunities for Christian service. This means developing ministries on our own or in partnership with others which will reach out more in witness and in service into the political, business, residential and academic communities which surround us. The congregation is currently considering a draft strategic plan for our future activities. If accepted by the congregation, this will be shared with any applicants still being considered by the search committee.

Church Purpose | Mission Statement

“Ottawa’s First Baptist Church is called by God to be part of the body of Jesus Christ in our city and through the Holy Spirit to devote ourselves to the proclamation of the Gospel; to the teaching of Christian values; to love one another and our world through Christian service and outreach and to unite in Christian Community and fellowship.” (Acts 2:42-47).

Qualifications And Education Requirements

Solid educational credentials with a minimum of a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent from a recognized educational institution

Role and Responsibilities

Lead worship services weekly as well as a weekly on-line Bible Study. Provide pastoral and spiritual care to a diverse congregation in terms of age, ethnic background, education and occupation. Meet with and provide leadership to the Board of Deacons and with the various church boards and commissions.

Preferred Skills

Essential Qualities

• Strong Biblically based preaching that provides guidance for living the Christian life and a challenge to support the church’s ministries in the coming week.
• Pastoral and spiritual care based on an approachable personality and deep empathy to help individuals and the congregation meet life’s challenges and opportunities in their individual and corporate faith journeys.
• Strong worship leadership skills which produce a worship experience that leads the congregation into a deeper expression of faith and responsiveness to God’s will through prayers, hymns and scriptural readings and provide opportunities for participation in the worship service to individuals from the wide variety of backgrounds within our congregation.
• A thoughtful approach to theological issues and spiritual understanding.
• Strong interest in and an ability to relate to all age groups from children to seniors.
  
  

Desirable Qualities

• Experience in an urban multicultural and multiethnic setting.
• Experience as a Senior Pastor or as an Associate Pastor in a large congregation.
• Experience in community outreach.
• Open to ecumenical, multi-faith and denominational partnerships in community outreach and other ministries.
• Ability to communicate in French
• Experience enhancing a church’s online presence (e.g., livestreaming, website, social media), to support the congregation’s continued growth in online engagement.
  
  

Contact

Maureen Rivoire: pastoralsearch2026@firstbaptistottawa.ca

First Baptist Church Ottawa welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.