Senior Minister

Job description

The church is prayerfully looking to call a new Senior Minister. 

Our current Senior Minister plans to conclude his long and faithful ministry among us by no later than the end of August 2026 and we're aiming to make an appointment in good time for a helpful transition. 

We believe this represents a significant gospel ministry opportunity for the right man and are looking to appoint someone with substantial experience of pastoral ministry.

We are an evangelical congregational church of about 100 members, who are a mixture of ages and, increasingly, different nationalities. 

The church has had a consistent evangelical and gospel witness to the town for the past 60 years. Many of the older members are first generation Christians who were saved during a movement of God in the 1970s and 1980s. 

A church plant in 2010 led to our present age demograph being skewed upwards. Although there are an increasing number of younger people and families in the church the need to re-balance remains a focus.

We worship in buildings that are in the centre of Pontefract. The large plot contains the main church premises and a church hall, along with two car parks. There is real need and scope for the buildings and site to be improved. That challenge is significant but full of potential for extending the work of the gospel.

We are seeking a man who is able to grasp and respond to the scale of the opportunities before us.

The town itself suffered as a result of industrial decline but continues to see large numbers of new housing built (it is close enough to commute to Leeds for work) which represents a significant gospel opportunity.

The preaching of God's Word and prayer are central to the life of the church. The gospel is at the centre of our life together and above all we long to see people saved and brought into God's family. 

We have utilised many different gospel opportunities over a long period of time and are keen to continue doing so. 

Each Friday morning we hold an evangelistic coffee morning that is attended by a number of people who are not Christians, some of whom do not attend any church. We are so thankful for the opportunity to preach the gospel each week.

The church has active men's and ladies' fellowship groups which we are encouraged by. 

There is a term-time Toddlers meeting on a Wednesday morning and term-time Sunday School for children of primary school age.

Many gospel workers have been trained at the church and gone out into various works. We are eager to see that continue.

We have both elders and deacons who serve the church and have recently appointed (from the existing eldership) a full-time Assistant Minister for a period of two to three years.

The church happily sits within the evangelical ethos of the EFCC and FIEC. We value our connections to both.

We are in the process of becoming a CLG (Company Limited by Guarantee) and anticipate that being finalised in the near future.

For further details and to download an application pack go to:

Pontefract Congregational Church : Jobs

Required Skills

We are seeking a man who shows clear ability to handle God's Word skilfully and is able to apply its riches and depth to the life of God's people. 

Humility is a key virtue, along with wisdom and compassion in pastoring the flock. 

This is an exciting opportunity for a godly, servant-hearted man who is committed to biblical teaching, pastoral care and gospel-centred church development.