Position Description

Are you a passionate Lead Pastor with a heart for serving and a vision for pastoring a church that embodies the values of community, family and the love of Christ? If so, we would love to meet you.

ORILLIA

Orillia Community Church (OCC) is located in the heart of downtown Orillia – a community surrounded by lakes, ski hills, nature trails and parks. The town is home to a thriving arts community, Lakehead University and numerous family-oriented activities. With a population of approximately 30,000, Orillia offers the warmth of small-town life alongside access to urban amenities.

OCC: A CHURCH IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

OCC is a non-denominational, evangelical church affiliated with Vision Ministries and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. We are a multi-generational community committed to biblical teaching, loving our neighbours, and making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our facility is a repurposed, former four-plex cinema that provides not just space for church ministry, but also community-use space, gym space, and theatre space. An unrenovated upper floor presents future ministry and community-use opportunities. For the past number of years OCC hosted the city’s overnight winter warming centre, which was run by a local shelter. This year the warming centre was able to expand to a 24/7 model at a city-owned facility. OCC is located in the downtown core at the intersection of the shopping and restaurant district and an older part of the city that is undergoing regeneration.

With a regular attendance of approximately 100 adults and children, OCC is a church family who longs to grow deeper in faith and wider in impact. We look forward with anticipation to what God has in store for us!

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a Lead Pastor who will faithfully shepherd, equip and inspire our church family, working collaboratively with the Leadership Team and congregation to ensure that all we do is grounded in Scripture and centered on helping people experience the transformative love of Jesus Christ. This position offers the opportunity to lead a church that values authenticity, transparency, and joy in its walk with Christ. If you sense God’s calling to partner with OCC in this next season of ministry, we invite you to prayerfully consider this opportunity.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Personal and Spiritual Growth:

• Maintain a strong personal relationship with Christ through prayer, Bible study and spiritual disciplines
• Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and ongoing personal and professional development

Vision and Mission Development:

• Articulate and advance a clear, gospel-centered vision for the future of the church, ensuring it remains faithful to the gospel, while meeting the needs of the congregation and the community
• Foster unity by inspiring the congregation to actively support OCC’s mission, purpose, and direction

Discipleship and Evangelism:

• Develop, oversee, and maintain a healthy, growing discipleship process
• Cast vision for evangelism that equips the church to carry out the Great Commission locally and globally

Preaching and Teaching:

• Prepare and deliver biblically faithful and relevant messages that shape the life of disciples of Jesus and equip them to live on mission for Him (35-40 Sundays a year)
• Prepare and plan, in co-operation with the worship leaders, meaningful worship services that are engaging and lead to spiritual growth with special attention to Easter and Advent/Christmas services

Pastoral Care:

• Provide compassionate pastoral care, including biblical spiritual direction, visitation, and support to individuals and families

Leadership and Administration:

• Lead and support church staff and volunteers, ensuring all ministry aligns with OCC’s mission and vision
• Facilitate annual planning, including ministry evaluation, goal setting, and strategic development
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, growth, and mentoring among staff and leaders
• Work collaboratively with the Leadership Team and ministry leaders to implement church initiatives and community engagement
• Engage with local pastor networks and community groups (benevolence group, homeless support)

QUALIFICATIONS

• A genuine and growing relationship with Jesus Christ, pursuing a Spirit-filled life
• Bachelor’s degree in Theological or Biblical Studies from an accredited college or university.
• A Master’s degree is preferred or a willingness to work towards
• 5 years church ministry experience
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to serve a multi-generational and diverse congregation and neighbourhood
• Agreement with OCC Statement of Faith (Evangelical Fellowship of Canada)
• A visionary and compassionate leader with a deep passion for spiritual formation and church vitality

HOW TO APPLY

Please email your resume and three links to recent teaching or sermons to info@occweb.org
OCC is accepting applications until April 17, 2026, or until the position is filled.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.