Kinnaird Church of God in Castlegar, BC is seeking a Lead Pastor for January 2027. This pastoral ministry opportunity may interest pastors and ministry leaders in British Columbia, Alberta, and Western Canada.

Kinnaird Church of God in Castlegar, British Columbia is seeking a Lead Pastor to serve our congregation as we enter a new season of ministry. With the upcoming retirement of Rev. Junior Spooner in January 2027, we are prayerfully seeking a Christ-centred pastor who is committed to biblical teaching, pastoral care, discipleship, outreach, and spiritual leadership.

This pastoral ministry opportunity may be of interest to pastors and ministry leaders in British Columbia, Alberta, and across Western Canada who feel called to serve in a close-knit, community-focused church in the Kootenay region of BC.

Located in Castlegar, near Nelson, Trail, and the surrounding West Kootenay communities, Kinnaird Church of God is a welcoming and active congregation with a heart for worship, discipleship, local outreach, and serving others.

Lead Pastor / Senior Pastor

Kinnaird Church of God — Castlegar, BC

Job Type: Full-time preferred
Salary: $50,000–$65,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications, church budget, and financial sustainability
Benefits: Health, prescription drug, and dental benefits provided
Housing: No housing or parsonage is provided
Anticipated Start Date: January 2027

About Kinnaird Church of God

Kinnaird Church of God is a welcoming, Bible-believing church located in Castlegar, British Columbia, in the heart of the beautiful West Kootenay region. Castlegar offers a small-town lifestyle surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes, and outdoor recreation.

KCOG is affiliated with Canadian Church of God Ministries and is committed to biblical teaching, Spirit-led ministry, prayer, discipleship, worship, outreach, and Christian unity. Our congregation includes long-time members, families, children, youth, adults, and seniors. We are blessed with a newer church building, a strong children’s ministry, a heart for prayer, and ministries such as our prayer tent.

We are a small congregation of approximately 35–45 people. Like many smaller churches, we are in a season of transition and opportunity. Parts of our congregation are aging, and we have a strong desire to reach younger families, strengthen discipleship, grow in community outreach, and continue building a healthy future for the church.

Beliefs, Values, and Mission

Kinnaird Church of God stands within the Church of God tradition and affirms the Seven Theological Commitments of the Church of God, including Trinitarian theology, sin and salvation, holiness, the nature and authority of the Bible, Imago Dei, the Kingdom of God, and unity. These commitments are used by Canadian Church of God Ministries as shared theological commitments for workers and congregations.

KCOG values biblical preaching, Spirit-led prayer, discipleship, worship, pastoral care, servant-hearted leadership, intergenerational church life, community outreach, and authentic Christian fellowship. We desire to be a church that follows Jesus faithfully, cares for one another deeply, welcomes new people warmly, and serves Castlegar and the surrounding area with humility and love.

Our mission is to help people know Jesus, grow as disciples, live in Christian community, and share the love of Christ in our church, town, and region.

Position Summary

Kinnaird Church of God is prayerfully seeking a Lead Pastor / Senior Pastor to provide biblical preaching, pastoral care, spiritual leadership, community engagement, and basic administrative oversight.

We are looking for more than someone to preach on Sundays. We desire a pastor who will love this church and community, lead with a clear prayerful vision, encourage healthy change, and walk alongside the congregation throughout the week.

The ideal candidate will be deeply committed to Jesus Christ, grounded in Scripture, filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit, compassionate, collaborative, and able to lead the church forward with humility, wisdom, and faith.

Church Context and Work Environment

KCOG is a small-town church with a largely volunteer-based ministry model. The pastor is currently the only paid staff member, and there is no secretary, administrative assistant, or support staff.

While there is no administrative staff, the administrative and public communication needs of the church are relatively light. The pastor should be organized, self-directed, and comfortable handling basic church communication, scheduling, planning, follow-up, and ministry coordination.

The church uses Google Workspace for administration, including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Calendar. The pastor should be comfortable using these tools or willing to learn.

We recognize that many members of our congregation work full-time, commute, have families, and carry other responsibilities. We are seeking a pastor who understands small-town church life and can build ministry in a way that is relational, realistic, sustainable, and encouraging.

Compensation, Benefits, Vacation, and Leave

The salary range for this role is $50,000–$65,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications, church budget, and financial sustainability. Health, prescription drug, and dental benefits are provided. No housing or parsonage is provided.

Vacation will be provided in alignment with Canadian Church of God Ministries compensation guidance, applicable British Columbia employment standards, the pastor’s experience, and the church’s financial sustainability. Vacation time should be scheduled in consultation with church council to ensure appropriate coverage for worship services and pastoral needs.

The pastor is expected to maintain healthy rhythms of rest, including regular weekly time off, recognizing that pastoral ministry often includes Sundays, evenings, weekends, and emergency availability. The CCOGM compensation manual encourages churches to support healthy pastoral rest and notes that Sunday is not considered a day off for a pastor.

Additional study, conference, CCOGM participation, or professional development leave may be considered based on church budget and ministry needs. Participation in CCOGM events may be part of the pastor’s ongoing ministry and credentialing expectations.

Accountability and Outside Commitments

The Lead Pastor is expected to be transparent with church council regarding any outside ministry, teaching, employment, consulting, or speaking commitments. Outside commitments are welcome when they do not interfere with the pastor’s responsibilities to KCOG; however, any outside commitments that take place during regular working time, affect availability, or use church resources must be disclosed to and approved by church council in advance.

The pastor will provide a brief monthly ministry report to church council summarizing key ministry activities, pastoral care, outreach, administration, and upcoming priorities, while respecting confidentiality.

Approximate Time Allocation

These percentages are intended as a general guide rather than a rigid weekly schedule. Pastoral ministry will naturally vary by season, need, and emergency.

Preaching, Teaching, and Worship Preparation — 25%
Sermon preparation, Sunday preaching, Bible teaching, worship service planning, and supporting spiritual growth opportunities.

Pastoral Care and Congregational Life — 20%
Visiting, prayer, care for the sick, elderly, grieving, vulnerable, and those in crisis; building meaningful relationships with the congregation.

Spiritual Leadership, Vision, and Council Collaboration — 15%
Prayerfully discerning direction, casting vision, leading healthy change, preparing monthly ministry reports, and working with church council.

Outreach and Public Ministry — 15%
Community outreach, evangelism, local care home service, Faith Foundations column, and representing the church in Castlegar.

Equipping Leaders, Volunteers, and Discipleship — 10%
Encouraging ministry leaders, developing volunteers, helping members use their gifts, and building sustainable ministries.

Administration and Communication — 10%
Basic scheduling, email, phone follow-up, Google Workspace, Facebook/public communication, and ministry coordination.

Professional Development and CCOGM Participation — 5%
Continued learning, approved ministry development, and participation in CCOGM events, renewal groups, or other appropriate ministry development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Preaching and Teaching

• Prepare and deliver biblically faithful, doctrinally sound sermons.

• Teach Scripture clearly and practically.

• Support Bible studies, discipleship, and spiritual growth opportunities.

• Help the congregation grow in biblical understanding and faithful Christian living.

Spiritual Leadership and Vision

• Prayerfully seek God’s direction for the future of the church.

• Cast a clear and hopeful vision for growth, discipleship, outreach, and ministry.

• Lead the church through healthy change while honoring its history and values.

• Encourage unity, spiritual maturity, and renewed purpose.

Pastoral Care

• Shepherd the congregation through prayer, encouragement, presence, and relationship.

• Care for the sick, elderly, grieving, vulnerable, and those in crisis.

• Visit members in homes, hospitals, care facilities, and other settings as needed.

• Provide biblical counseling, prayer, and spiritual guidance.

• Be available in times of need, not only during regular office hours.

Church Life and Community

• Build meaningful relationships with congregation members.

• Be present and involved in church events, fellowship gatherings, and ministries.

• Help create a welcoming environment for visitors, families, children, youth, adults, and seniors.

• Encourage authentic Christian community and a sense of belonging.

• Desire to “do life together” with the congregation.

Outreach and Public Ministry

• Lead and encourage community outreach and evangelism.

• Help the church build meaningful connections in Castlegar and the surrounding area.

• Support ministries that reach children, families, seniors, newcomers, and those in need.

• Provide a monthly church service at the local care home.

• Contribute entries to the Faith Foundations newspaper column.

• Represent the church well in the wider community.

Equipping Leaders and Volunteers

• Identify, encourage, and develop leaders within the congregation.

• Support ministry leaders, volunteers, and ministry teams.

• Help members discover and use their gifts.

• Build sustainable ministries that do not depend on one person alone.

Administration and Communication

• Manage basic church communication, scheduling, planning, and follow-up.

• Use Google Workspace for church administration and organization.

• Attend regular church council meetings as an ex officio member.

• Work collaboratively with council, ministry leaders, and volunteers.

• Answer phone calls and return messages in a timely and caring manner.

• Communicate through phone, email, text, Facebook, and other digital tools as appropriate.

Desired Characteristics

We are prayerfully seeking a pastor who is:

• Deeply committed to Jesus Christ and living a Spirit-filled life.

• Grounded in Scripture and doctrinally sound.

• Prayerful, humble, and spiritually mature.

• A clear and engaging preacher and teacher.

• A strong communicator and listener.

• A visionary leader who can guide the church toward growth and renewal.

• Collaborative rather than controlling.

• Compassionate, caring, and servant-hearted.

• Committed to pastoral care beyond Sunday mornings and office hours.

• Relational and willing to engage with the congregation and community.

• Passionate about community outreach and evangelism.

• Comfortable in, or experienced with, rural and small-town ministry.

• Organized, self-directed, and able to handle basic administrative responsibilities.

• Flexible, practical, and realistic in a smaller volunteer-based church setting.

• Able to equip, encourage, and develop leaders.

• Emotionally mature, accountable, and able to handle conflict with grace.

• Honest, trustworthy, and of strong moral character.

• Willing to work in alignment with Canadian Church of God Ministries credentialing expectations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous pastoral, ministry, or church leadership experience.

• Experience in a rural, small-town, or smaller congregation context is an asset.

• Formal biblical or theological training, or equivalent ministry experience.

• Strong understanding of Scripture and Christian doctrine.

• Agreement with the beliefs, values, and mission of Kinnaird Church of God.

• Willingness to affirm and minister in alignment with the Seven Theological Commitments of the Church of God.

• Willingness to review and live in alignment with Canadian Church of God Ministries’ A Call to Excellence.

• Strong verbal, written, and digital communication skills.

• Comfort using Google Workspace, Facebook, and other communication tools.

• Musical ability or worship-leading experience is an asset but not required.

Application Requirements

Interested applicants are invited to submit the following through our online application form:

• Cover letter

• Current resume

• Personal testimony / faith journey

• Doctrinal statement

• Links to recent sermon recordings, if available

• Three references

Applicants are encouraged to speak about their experience with preaching, pastoral care, small-town ministry, basic administration, community outreach, volunteer leadership, discipleship, and church growth.

Doctrinal Statement

Please provide a brief doctrinal statement, approximately 1–2 pages total, responding to the Seven Theological Commitments of the Church of God:

1. Trinitarian Theology

2. Sin and Salvation

3. Holiness

4. Nature and Authority of the Bible

5. Imago Dei

6. The Kingdom of God

7. Unity

For each area, please write a short paragraph describing your theological conviction and how it shapes your preaching, pastoral leadership, and daily ministry practice.

Applicants should also review the CCOGM Seven Theological Commitments and A Call to Excellence. A successful candidate will need to be willing to affirm and live in alignment with these documents as part of the CCOGM credentialing process.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the online application form: https://forms.gle/nD1TfUAqk4FBbAER6 

If you experience technical difficulty using the form or uploading documents, please contact: info@kinnairdchurchofgod.com 

Closing Statement

Kinnaird Church of God is seeking a pastor who will preach the Word, pray faithfully, shepherd the people, equip the church, and lead with vision.

We are looking for someone who sees ministry not simply as a Sunday role, but as a calling to walk alongside the congregation and serve the wider community with faith, compassion, and love.

Please apply using the below form: