Senior Pastor

First Evangelical Free Church (FEFC) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is prayerfully seeking a Senior Pastor to serve as the primary shepherd and visionary leader of our congregation of approximately 450 believers. Guided by the church's mission —"Knowing God and Making Him Known"— FEFC emphasizes biblically grounded, expository teaching that equips believers to live out the gospel and faithfully proclaim Christ in the world.

This search follows the upcoming retirement of our Senior Pastor after 35 years of faithful ministry. We are seeking a pastor who will continue FEFC's legacy of strong, Scripture-centered teaching and shepherding. Our preferred timeline includes a period of overlap to allow for a smooth leadership transition.

The Senior Pastor will devote himself to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4), setting an example "in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). The ideal candidate will be a gifted preacher and teacher, a relational shepherd, and a servant leader who partners with the Elder Board and staff to nurture spiritual growth and advance the mission of the church.

Key Responsibilities

• Preaching & Teaching:
• Serve as the primary preacher, delivering expository, biblically grounded sermons for Sunday morning worship.
• Provide teaching, in conjunction with other pastoral staff for adult Sunday School, weekly Sunday evening service, midweek Bible Studies and gatherings, as well as in other settings as needed.
• Lead and model a life of prayer and study, devoting attention to the public reading, exhortation and teaching of the Word (1 Tim. 4:11–16).
• Shepherding & Discipleship:
• Model Christlike living, setting an example for the congregation "in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).
• Lead or participate in discipleship groups, such as men's studies or prayer gatherings, anchoring discipleship in God's Word.
• Provide pastoral counseling for individuals, couples, and families (including premarital).
• Conduct weddings, funerals, and related pastoral care as needed.
• Visit members who are hospitalized, homebound, or otherwise in need of pastoral care.
• Follow up with visitors and new attendees to foster connection and belonging.
• Leadership & Administration:
• Provide overall leadership for associate pastors and staff in establishing ministry effectiveness.
• Partner with the Elder Board to guard the doctrine and health of the church, heeding Paul's instruction to "keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching" (1 Timothy 4:16) and to ensure that all ministries remain firmly rooted in the authority of Scripture.
• Serve as a spiritual leader to staff through prayer, mentoring, and one-on-one encouragement.
• Participate in staff meetings, prayer gatherings, and committee work to keep ministry direction aligned with God's Word and the mission of the church.
• Equip and encourage the congregation for works of service, discipleship, and evangelism, ensuring the Bible remains central to all ministries.
• Community & Mission Engagement:
• Represent Christ and the church faithfully in the Sioux Falls community and beyond, always pointing people back to the truth of Scripture.
• Support local and global mission efforts by praying, equipping, and mobilizing the church for outreach.
• Foster a culture of evangelism and disciple-making that is both biblically faithful and missionally focused.

Qualifications

• A spiritually mature follower of Jesus Christ who is fully committed to prayer, teaching and the authority of Scripture.
• In full agreement with the Evangelical Free Church of America Statement of Faith as listed on the church's website.
• Demonstrated gifting in expository preaching, biblical teaching, and shepherding a congregation.
• Experienced in pastoral ministry, with proven ability to disciple and equip others through the Word.
• 10+ years of preaching experience preferred.
• Relational leader who values collaboration, integrity, and servant leadership.
• Master of Divinity or equivalent theological training required.

Relationships

• Reports to the Elder Board and works in partnership with them in setting direction and priorities for the church.
• Provides spiritual leadership to pastoral staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers.
• Shepherds the congregation with the support of the elders, associate pastors, and staff.
• Supports and mentors the relationship with recently established church plant, Living Hope Evangelical Free Church

Compensation

• Spendable income: $105K-$115K annually, plus benefits (health insurance, retirement, vacation, and other allowances commensurate with experience).

About Sioux Falls

• Located in southeastern South Dakota, Sioux Falls is a growing, family-friendly community known for its strong values, welcoming spirit, and high quality of life. With a population of more than 200,000, Sioux Falls combines small-town warmth with big-city opportunities, making it a wonderful place to live and serve in gospel ministry.

First Evangelical Free Church – Sioux Falls, South Dakota