Baptist Church Officer Duties

Officers in the Baptist church have a variety of important responsibilities related to the spiritual and practical life of the church. Their duties range from preaching and teaching to visitation to managing finances to clerical work. The work of each officer enhances the overall ministry of the church. Their efforts are complementary and interdependent.

The senior or lead pastor carries the primary responsibility for preaching, teaching, providing vision and the spiritual nurture of the congregation. In most churches, the office of pastor will carry the greatest level of authority and direct interaction with the entire congregation. Other ministers may oversee ancillary ministries, such as the youth, children's or music departments. They generally report directly to the senior pastor.

Deacons ministry derives from Acts chapter 6 and the necessity that arose to serve the needy in the Jerusalem church. Though this ministry was critically important, the believers determined that the Apostles should focus on prayer and teaching and leave this important ministry to other qualified men. Today, deacons perform visitation ministry to the sick or home-bound, assist the administering the Lord's Supper and function in a variety of other practical means to aid the progress of the church. Some churches also have an elected board of deacons who may serve as advisers to the senior pastor.

The church secretary maintains records and minutes of church business meetings and deacon board meetings. The secretary may also maintain membership and baptism records as well as chronicling and recording events of significance.

The treasurer manages the income and expenditure of church funds. He may work under the direct supervision of the senior pastor, a finance committee or church business administrator. He must present financial statements and reports to the church at quarterly and annual meetings. He may also sign checks and other financial documents.

The Sunday school director oversees the administrative tasks associated with selecting curriculum, organizing materials, recruiting and training teachers, maintaining attendance records and providing reports to the church leadership. He may also be responsible for the collection and management of offerings received during the Sunday school classes.

Church leadership may form a variety of committees as necessary. These may include finance committees, budget committees, bylaws committees and those tasked with overseeing church ancillary staff and personnel. These committees generally answer to the senior pastor and board of deacons.