Position Available: Bendigo Church of Christ | Senior Pastor - March 18, 2026 Position Summary The Senior Pastor serves as the primary spiritual leader of Bendigo Church of Christ, providing pastoral, theological and missional leadership to the congregation. The role exists to shepherd the church in faithful discipleship, equip God’s people for ministry, and lead the church in fulfilling Christ’s mission within Bendigo and beyond. Working collaboratively with the Associate Pastor, Church Council, ministry leaders and volunteers, the Senior Pastor will help cultivate a healthy, Christ-centred church culture marked by spiritual maturity, unity, servant leadership and community engagement.

- Provide Christ-centred spiritual leadership grounded in Scripture and prayer
- Model a life of discipleship, integrity and pastoral care
- Foster a culture of spiritual growth, unity and dependence on the Holy Spirit
- Guide the church in discerning God’s vision and direction for ministry 2. Preaching and Teaching - Prepare and deliver biblically faithful, relevant and engaging preaching
- Teach Scripture in ways that encourage spiritual transformation and discipleship
- Oversee the theological direction and teaching ministries of the church
- Encourage participation in worship and spiritual formation practices 3.

Pastoral

Care and Shepherding - Provide pastoral oversight and care for the congregation

- Support and equip pastoral care teams and ministry leaders
- Offer leadership during times of celebration, challenge and grief
- Cultivate a welcoming and inclusive church environment 4.

Leadership

Development and Team Ministry - Lead collaboratively with the Associate Pastor, Church Council and ministry coordinators

- Identify, mentor and develop emerging leaders, with a particular focus on growing youth ministry
- Equip members to serve according to their gifts and calling
- Encourage healthy volunteer engagement and shared ministry ownership 5.

Mission and Community Engagement - Encourage outreach and evangelism within the Bendigo region





- Strengthen local mission partnerships and community connections
- Help the church engage meaningfully with people beyond its walls
- Promote a culture of invitation, hospitality and service 6. Governance and Administration - Work in partnership with Church Council to ensure healthy governance
- Support strategic planning and ministry oversight
- Uphold Churches of Christ Victoria and Tasmania affiliation expectations
- Maintain commitment to ChurchSafe standards and best practices Key Ministry Priorities Bendigo Church of Christ enters this season with gratitude for renewed unity and a growing sense of hope. The following priorities reflect the congregation’s desire for thoughtful, Spirit-led leadership during the next chapter of ministry. 1.

Spiritual

Renewal and Discipleship - Strengthen a culture of prayer, spiritual formation and biblical discipleship

- Help members deepen their walk with Christ, through preaching, teaching and pastoral counselling
- Encourage participation in small groups and discipleship pathways
- Nurture spiritual maturity across all generations 2.

Relationship

Building and Pastoral Presence - Build trusting relationships across the congregation

- Listen well and understand the church’s story, culture and hopes
- Provide visible pastoral presence within church life and the wider community
- Continue fostering unity, healing and encouragement following recent transitions 3.

Leadership

Development and Team Health - Encourage shared team leadership and collaborative ministry

- Mentor existing leaders and identify emerging leaders, with a particular focus on growing youth ministry
- Strengthen ministry coordination and volunteer support, across all age demographics




- Develop sustainable ministry structures that empower participation 4.

Missional

Engagement in Bendigo - Help the church discern opportunities for local mission and outreach

- Encourage evangelism expressed through authentic relationships
- Strengthen partnerships with local ministries and community organisations
- Equip members to live missionally in everyday life 5.

Vision

Clarification and Future Growth - Work with Church Council and leaders to refine and articulate a shared vision

- Discern opportunities for healthy church growth and community impact
- Encourage innovation while honouring the church’s heritage and strengths
- Guide the congregation toward a hopeful and unified future Application Requirements Bendigo Church of Christ prayerfully seeks a Senior Pastor whose calling, character and experience align with the life and mission of our church community. The information below outlines the qualities, qualifications and application process for those sensing God’s leading to explore this ministry opportunity. Personal and Ministry Qualities - A deep and growing personal faith in Jesus Christ
- Strong biblical teaching and communication gifts
- Humility, emotional intelligence and relational warmth
- Collaborative leadership and team-building ability
- Spiritual wisdom, discernment and resilience
- A heart for discipleship, mission and community engagement Qualifications and Experience - Theological training appropriate for pastoral ministry – Degree in Theology/Ministry desirable
- Endorsed Churches of Christ Vic/Tas credentials, or progressing towards endorsement
- Demonstrated pastoral leadership experience of three to five years, preferred
- Experience leading teams and developing leaders
- Commitment to ChurchSafe ministry practices
- This is a full time position. Renumeration and all employment entitlements will be in accordance with Church of Christ Vic/Tas endorsement
- This position is only open to Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents

📌 Position Available: Bendigo Church of Christ | Senior Pastor
🏢 Churchesofchrist
📍 Bendigo