COLLINSWOOD-AGAPE BAPTIST CHURCH'S

STATEMENT OF FAITH

This Church accepts the Bible as the revealed will of God, the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity of statements of faith.

The Bible. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are our infallible rule of faith and practice.

God. There is one living and true God, revealed in nature as the Creator, Preserver, and Righteous governor of the universe; and in the Scriptures as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; yet as one God, infinitely wise and good, whom all intelligent creatures are supremely to love, adore and obey.

Christ. Christ is God manifest in the flesh; in His divine nature truly God, in His human nature truly man. The mediator between God and man, once crucified, He is now risen and glorified, and is our ever-present Savior and Lord.

The Holy Spirit. The Scriptures assign to the Holy Spirit all the attributes of God.

The Government of God. God exercises a wide and benevolent providence over all beings and all things by maintaining the constitution and laws of nature. He also performs special acts, not otherwise provided for, as the highest welfare of men requires.

The Sinfulness of Man. Man was created innocent, but by disobedience fell into a state of sin and condemnation. His posterity, therefore, inherits a fallen nature of such tendencies that all who come to years of accountability sin and become guilty before God.

The Works of Christ. The Son of God by His incarnation, life, sufferings, death, and resurrection effected for all a redemption from sin that is full and free, and is the ground of salvation by faith.

The Terms of Salvation. The conditions of salvation are: (1) Repentance of sin or sincere sorrow for sin and hearty renunciation of it. (2) Faith by the unreserved committal of one’s self to Christ as Savior and Lord with purpose to love and obey Him in all things. In the exercise of saving faith, the soul is renewed by the Holy Spirit, freed from the dominion of sin, and becomes a child of God. (3) Continuance in faith and obedience unto death.

Election. God determined from the beginning to save all who should comply with the conditions of salvation. Hence by faith in Christ men become His elect.

Freedom of the Will. The human Will is free and self-controlled, having power to yield to the influence of the truth and the Spirit, or to resist them and perish.

Salvation Free. God desires the salvation of all, the Gospel invites all, the Holy Spirit strives with all, and whosoever will may come and take of the water of life freely.

Perseverance. All believers in Christ, who through grace persevere in holiness to the end of life, have promise of eternal salvation.

Gospel Ordinances. BAPTISM, or the immersion of believers in water, and the LORD’S SUPPER, are ordinances to be perpetuated under the Gospel.

Tithing. God commanded tithes and offerings in the Old Testament: Jesus Christ endorsed it in the Gospel (Matt. 23:23), and the apostle Paul said, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him” (1 Cor. 16:2a).

The Christian Day of Worship. It is our tradition that Sunday should be set aside as the Christian day of worship, for rest, holy works, for personal communion and fellowship with God as well as with other Christians.

Statement of Marriage. We believe that because God, our Creator, established marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman. The Biblical definition of marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman. A man, as referred to in this document, is one who was born as a male. A woman, as referred to in this document, is one who was born as a female.

Under this Church's Marriage Policy, the Biblical Definition of Marriage is the only definition of marriage that will be recognized or accepted. No officer, employee, servant, agent, or any person, corporation, organization, or entity under the direction or control of this Church shall commit any act or omission, or make any decision whatever, that would be inconsistent with, or that could be perceived by any person to be inconsistent with, full support of this Church's Marriage Policy and strict adherence to the Biblical Definition of Marriage rather than any alternative to the Biblical Definition of Marriage.

This Church's Marriage Policy specifically prohibits acts or omissions including but not limited to permitting any Church assets or property, whether real property, personal property, intangible property, or any property or asset of any kind that is subject to the direction or control of the Church, to be used in any manner that would be or could be perceived by any person to be inconsistent with this Church's Marriage Policy or the Biblical Definition of Marriage, including but not limited to permitting any church facilities to be used by any person, organization, corporation, or group that would or might use such facilities to convey, intentionally or by implication, what might be perceived as a favorable impression about any definition of marriage other than the Biblical Definition of Marriage.

We believe this Church's Marriage Policy is based upon God's will for human life as conveyed to us through the Holy Scriptures, upon which this Church has been founded and anchored, and this Marriage Policy shall not be subject to change through popular vote; referendum; prevailing opinion of members or the general public; influence of or interpretation by any government authority, agency, or official action; or legal developments on the local, state, or federal level.

About Collinswood-Agape Baptist Church

Collinswood-Agape Baptist Church is a conservative, dually-aligned (Baptist General Association of Virginia & Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia) fellowship. We are also associated with the Portsmouth Baptist Association and under the Bridge Network of Churches.

Guidelines and Requirements for Interested Candidates

The role of a pastor is one of immense responsibility and spiritual leadership. This document outlines the application process, qualifications, and expectations for candidates seeking to serve as the new pastor for Collinswood-Agape Baptist Church. We invite individuals who feel called to this role to carefully read through the following requirements and submit their applications with prayerful consideration.

Purpose of the Position

The primary purpose of the pastoral role at Collinswood-Agape Baptist Church is to shepherd the congregation, preach & teach the Word of God, provide spiritual guidance, and foster a sense of community and service. As the spiritual leader, the pastor is expected to exemplify Christ-like behavior, inspire others to grow in their faith, and guide the church in fulfilling its mission to serve both God and the local community.

Qualifications for the Role

To ensure that the prospective pastor is well-equipped for the responsibilities of this position, the following qualifications are required:

Spiritual and Personal Characteristics

• Must embrace and abide by the Collinswood-Agape Statement of Faith.
• Must have a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Exhibits a strong moral and ethical character, aligning with biblical principles.
• Possesses excellent communication and relational skills to connect with individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
• Demonstrates humility, patience, and the ability to handle conflict with grace and wisdom.

Educational Background

• A bachelor’s degree in theology, divinity, or a related field is required.
• Preferred: A Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent from an accredited seminary.
• Commitment to ongoing theological education and professional growth.

Experience

• Minimum of 3-5 years of pastoral or ministry experience, including preaching, teaching, and counseling.
• Experience in community outreach, discipleship, and leadership development is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

The pastor will be responsible for a wide range of duties aimed at leading and nurturing the congregation of Collinswood-Agape Baptist Church. Key responsibilities include:

Preaching and Teaching

· Prepare and deliver weekly sermons that are biblically sound, relevant, and engaging.

· Lead Bible studies, classes, and small group discussions to deepen the congregation's understanding of Scripture. 

Pastoral Care

· Provide spiritual and emotional support to members of the congregation through counseling, visitation, and prayer.

· Officiate weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other significant ceremonies.

Leadership and Administration

· Provide visionary leadership for the church’s ministries, programs, and outreach efforts.

· Work closely with church staff, elders, and ministry leaders to set goals and ensure that the church’s mission is being fulfilled.

Community Engagement

· Foster relationships with local organizations, schools, and other churches to build a strong presence in the community.

· Encourage members of the congregation to actively participate in service and outreach initiatives.

Application Process

Candidates who meet the above qualifications are encouraged to apply by submitting the following documents:

Application Materials

• Completed application form (available online or church office).
• A cover letter detailing your sense of calling to the pastoral role and your vision for Collinswood-Agape Baptist Church.
• A detailed resume or curriculum vitae, including educational background, ministry experience, and references.
• Links to video or audio recordings of recent sermons or teachings, if available.

Interview Process

• Initial review of application materials by the pastoral search committee.
• Interviews with the search committee to discuss experience, theology, and vision for the church.
• Opportunity to preach at a Sunday service as part of the candidacy process.
• Final interview with church leadership and congregation representatives.

Timeline

We aim to fill this position by December 2025. The application deadline is Friday, October 31, 2025, and candidates will be notified of their status throughout the process.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a pastor is not just a job; it is a calling that requires a deep commitment to serve God and others. We seek a leader who will walk alongside our congregation, helping us grow in faith, unity, and outreach. We encourage all applicants to approach this opportunity with prayerful discernment and to trust in God’s guidance.

If you believe you are called to this role, we look forward to receiving your application. Please direct any questions to pastorCABCsearch@gmail.com.

Thank you for your interest in pastoral leadership with Collinswood-Agape Baptist Church. Please complete this application thoroughly and prayerfully. All information will be kept confidential and used exclusively by our Pastor Search Committee to evaluate candidates in accordance with biblical principles and best practices as recommended by the Lifeway Pastor Search Committee Handbook.

Church Attendance: In a typical four-Sunday month, how often does someone from your family attend the following activities?

• A pastoral supervisor or mentor
• A ministry colleague or staff member
• A church member or lay leader

Instructions for Submission

 Review your application carefully before submission.

• Send your completed application and all supporting documents via email to pastorCABCsearch@gmail.com. Please be sure to use (your) First and Last Name - Supporting Materials in the subject line if emailing documents.
• Alternately, you can send your completed application via certified mail to: ATTN: Mark Stallings, Pastoral Search Committee, 1030 City Park Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23701.
• For questions regarding this process, contact our Pastor Search Committee at pastorCABCsearch@gmail.com.