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Meet Sarasota Community Church

Sarasota Community Church is a welcoming Christian church in Sarasota, Florida, committed to helping people grow in their faith and experience the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Grounded in Scripture and centered on God’s grace, we strive to create a community where people from all walks of life can worship, learn, and find encouragement and hope. Through meaningful worship, teaching, fellowship, and service, we seek to live out Christ’s love in our daily lives and serve our neighbors with compassion. Whether you are exploring faith for the first time or looking for a church to call home, Sarasota Community Church invites you to come as you are and grow with us.

About the Lead Pastor

The Pastor of Sarasota Community Church should be one who feels called by God to serve and lead Sarasota Community Church in the present and into the future with prayer, humility, and dependence on the Lord. The pastor should value a team approach, be prayer-focused, and be a biblically faithful teacher and preacher who enjoys people and is relational and engaging. This pastor should have the desire to lead Sarasota Community Church as we seek to honor and worship God, share the good news of Jesus Christ, help people grow in their faith, and be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us and around the world.

The Lead Pastor's responsibilities include:

• Provide overall vision and strategic planning for the current, short-term, and long-term future direction of the church.
• Serve as the primary preacher and biblical teacher responsible for the emphasis, themes, and direction of our worship services, especially the sermon. Delivering biblically-based and Christ-centered sermons is a high priority. In addition, responsibilities would include coordinating a preaching team of other ministerial staff members and guest preachers who would be called upon to preach and teach at various times.
• Responsible for all church staff by creating an encouraging, empowering, and supportive environment that encourages a team approach to ministry by the staff. This would include giving staff the ability to succeed and maximize the effectiveness of their areas of ministry with your support. Responsible for hiring staff and, when necessary, recommending termination to the Board of Overseers. Responsible for establishing job descriptions and ministry responsibilities and encouraging the discipleship, training, and development of all staff. Lead weekly staff meetings and check in with staff members during the week.
• Serve as an ex officio member of the Board of Overseers. This includes attending regularly scheduled (usually monthly) Board of Overseers meetings and regularly giving ministry update reports. 
• Spend time in prayer and study in preparation for preaching, leadership, and ministry responsibilities.
• Serve as a leader by example in personal discipleship, stewardship, evangelism, and a Christ-centered life.
• Conduct weddings, celebrations of life, infant dedications, baptisms, and church membership classes.
• Develop leaders and volunteers within the church.
• Work with the church treasurer, Finance Committee, and Board of Overseers to ensure the financial well-being of the church through the budgeting, planning, and reporting processes.
• Build relationships with other community pastors, ministries, and community organizations that are consistent with the church’s mission and values to work together for Kingdom purposes and build unity.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Lead Pastor:

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree with experience as a lead pastor. A seminary degree or other theological training with a ministerial focus is a plus. Ordination is required.
• Experience as a leader.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A clear love for the Lord and the Word of God.
• Be grounded in a sound, working understanding of Anabaptist theology.
• A personal and growing relationship with Christ.
• Able to delegate, empower, and encourage others.
• A completed LMC Form (Credentialing Leadership Information), if you haven’t completed this form, time will be given to do so.
• Shared belief in, understanding of, and willingness to minister within Sarasota Community Church’s statement of faith and adherence to the church bylaws.
• The heart of a shepherd and strong relational qualities.
• Maintain a proper personal life balance between your own spiritual health and development, family, and ministry responsibilities. 
• A life congruent with the biblical requirements for leaders, such as found in 1 Tim. 3:1-3; 2 Tim. 2; Titus 1:5-9, and maintain spiritual integrity that others should and would desire to imitate.

What it's like to live in Sarasota, FL

Living in Sarasota, Florida, feels like having the best of both worlds: relaxed coastal living paired with a surprisingly rich cultural scene. Known as the “Cultural Coast,” Sarasota blends beautiful Gulf beaches, a deep arts legacy shaped by the Ringling family, and an easygoing yet refined lifestyle. Residents enjoy world-class performances, museums, and architecture alongside everyday access to white-sand beaches like Siesta Key, outdoor adventures at places like Myakka River State Park, and charming neighborhoods filled with local shops and dining. The city carries an unassuming elegance—laid-back and outdoorsy by day, polished and vibrant by night—making it an appealing place for retirees, families, and a growing number of young professionals drawn by its quality of life and sense of community.