Senior Pastor

Senior Pastor Position

Oakwood Baptist Church.

Chattanooga, Tennessee.

4501 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416 · (423) 892-6414.

 Oakwood is an autonomous Southern Baptist congregation cooperating with the Hamilton

County Baptist Association, the Tennessee Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Our Statement of Faith is in harmony with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.

Vision. To know Christ, to grow Believers, to Impact the World.

Congregation. An average Sunday worship attendance of 170.

Ministries: Life Groups meeting Sunday mornings at 9:45; contemporary worship at 11:00, live-streamed

weekly; Student Ministry; Oakwood Kids; AWANA and Prayer Breakthrough on Wednesday evenings;

Men’s Breakfast, Ladies Night Out, Senior Adult ministry

Staff. 3 full-time and 2 part-time staff, including Associate Pastor, Student Pastor, Children’s Director,

Music Director and Ministry Assistant. The Senior Pastor serves as chief administrator of the church

staff.

The Position

Oakwood Baptist Church is seeking our next Senior Pastor. This is a planned succession. Our Senior

Pastor announced his retirement in July 2026 after more than twenty-four years of faithful ministry at

Oakwood, and will conclude his service in March, 2027. He leaves on his own terms, with the affection

of this church, and with ample time for an unhurried and honorable transition. Oakwood is a church that

keeps its pastors, and we are praying for a long tenure again.

The Senior Pastor is charged to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, to teach the biblical revelation as it

is, to engage in pastoral care, to provide administrative leadership across the life of the church, and to

equip the members of this body to use their gifts in the work of ministry.

Qualifications & Expectations

The candidate we seek will be:

A man who meets the biblical qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 — above reproach,

devoted to his wife, managing his household well, temperate, hospitable, self-controlled, free from

the love of money, and well regarded by those outside the church.

In full agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. Our bylaws require that the Senior

Pastor “be willing to affirm the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible and teach in accordance with

Oakwood Baptist Church · Senior Pastor Posting · Draft for Committee Review, our statement of faith and broader doctrinal statement found within the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.”

Able to teach — Scripture's one ability-based requirement for this office. We are looking for

faithful, text-driven preaching that feeds mature believers and reaches those who are far from

God.

A shepherd, committed to evangelism, discipleship, missions, pastoral care, and the spiritual well-

being of the people entrusted to him, not only to the pulpit.

A leader who can work alongside deacons, staff, and committees within congregational

governance, and who will lead Oakwood to engage its community and the nations.

Educationally prepared 5 years of pastoral ministry experience & Master of Divinity preferred

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. The full package will be discussed

openly at the first interview.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following to dwightsell@oakwoodchattanooga.com

 A resume or CV with complete ministry history

Links to two or three recent sermons (video preferred)

A brief personal statement of faith (1–2 pages)

 A one-page response to: “Why does the senior pastorate at Oakwood interest you?”

Deadline: October 31, 2026. Every application will be acknowledged within three business days and will

receive a definite response. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.

 Oakwood Baptist Church is praying earnestly that God will lead the right man to this

pulpit, and we are grateful for every person who prays with us. “The harvest is plentiful,

but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out

laborers into his harvest.” — Matthew 9:37-38