The Opportunity
Church on the Ranch (COTR), located in the stunning city of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is searching for its next Pastor! This vibrant, western-themed church is known for its warm hospitality, biblical preaching through storytelling, and the timeless beauty of country-style hymns.
As a growing, nondenominational church, COTR glorifies Jesus Christ, honors the truth of God’s Word, and fosters deep connections among its members through its uniquely western worship environment. Rooted in a family-like atmosphere, this is a congregation of transformed lives that loves wholeheartedly and welcomes all in Jesus’ name.
We are seeking a full-time Pastor with a shepherd’s heart, a passion for biblical teaching, and a commitment to cultivating genuine relationships. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a relational leader called to serve in Colorado Springs and embrace the rich western culture that defines Church on the Ranch.
Our Mission:
Telling People Who Jesus Is and Why They Need Him
The Church
Church on the Ranch is a warm, welcoming congregation that thrives in its central Colorado Springs location. COTR embraces a simple leadership model while staying true to its western distinctives. Governed by a Board of Directors, the church is fiscally sound, debt-free, and owns its facility outright.
COTR’s home includes a spacious sanctuary, multipurpose rooms, offices, and classrooms. The congregation prioritizes authenticity, community, and biblical truth, making it a vibrant hub of worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth.
Our Story
Church on the Ranch, a place filled with God's grace and beauty, began in 2008 at the iconic Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs through a cowboy following God's calling on his heart to start a church. With just 25 people, the congregation gathered in a rustic chapel built by Russ Wolfe and his wranglers (including our Pastor Scotty Vaughn). Singing old hymns with guitars and a fiddle, they praised God rain or shine, growing steadily as the chapel bell rang each Sunday.
As the congregation outgrew the chapel, services moved to the Flying W Ranch’s “indoor chuckwagon.” Summers beneath Colorado’s clear skies were beautiful, and winters, though chilly, were filled with warmth and fellowship.
In 2012, tragedy struck when the Waldo Canyon Fire destroyed the Flying W Ranch. Yet, God’s faithfulness shone through. The congregation held services outdoors on a flatbed trailer, then moved to the Norris Penrose Event Center, discovering modern conveniences like heating and indoor plumbing for the first time. Salvaging the chapel bell from the fire, they rang it in a moment of gratitude and hope.
By 2015, Church on the Ranch had found its permanent home at 3685 Jeannine Drive in Colorado Springs. The congregation celebrated with outreach events, Western Family Gatherings, and a thriving community rooted in their love for God. Today, they continue to worship, grow, and share blessings in their welcoming and steadfast western spirit.
For more about our story click here.
Flying W Ranch Chapel
3685 Jeannine Drive
2024 Numbers
Weekly attendance: 350+
Livestream 100+
Annual Giving: $900K
Staff: 2 FT / 5 PT
The Pastor of Church on the Ranch will serve as a godly Shepherd and relatable Preacher, leading with humility and compassion. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, this role requires a heart for people, a gift for storytelling, and a commitment to scriptural truth.
Responsibilities
Shepherd
Build genuine relationships with the congregation and community.
Provide pastoral care, including counseling and visitation.
Officiate sacraments such as baptism and communion.
Conduct weddings, funerals, and special events.
Preacher
Deliver engaging, biblical sermons rooted in storytelling and personal transparency.
Teach scripture through relatable storytelling and personal transparency.
Facilitate and lead Bible studies and other educational programs.
Provide biblical and historical context while preaching.
Collaborative Leader
Work within a shared leadership model alongside the Board of Directors.
Contribute ideas to staff meetings, planning sessions, and problem-solving discussions.
Mentor and develop lay leaders and volunteers.
Requirements
Professional
A bachelor’s degree in theology, ministry, or a related field (or actively pursuing).
Minimum of 5 years in pastoral leadership and preaching.
Meets the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-5.
Strong communicator across oral, written, and digital platforms.
Approachable, with strong interpersonal skills to connect across all ages.
Alignment with COTR’s mission, doctrinal statement, and western distinctives.
Personal
Leads with love, humility, and a vibrant spiritual life.
A calling to shepherd God’s flock with joy and devotion.
Lifelong learner eager to grow personally and spiritually.
Energizes and uplifts those around him.
Values teamwork and shared leadership.
Deeply resonates with COTR’s western ethos.
Core Strengths
A lover of God’s people with high empathy and connection.
A lover of God’s word with an anointing to communicate to anyone.
The Community
Nestled at the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs offers stunning natural beauty, a rich cultural history, and a vibrant modern lifestyle. As Colorado’s second-largest city (population ~500,000), it blends small-town charm with metropolitan amenities.
Its parts are distinctive: the booming suburbs in the north and east; the bustling yet easily navigated downtown; the elegant, rustic south side defined by Cheyenne Cañon and the century-old Broadmoor hotel; and the west side, occupied by eateries and shops in what was the old Victorian center of the 1890s gold rush.
Despite the sprawl, people regularly stop to say hello to someone they know at their neighborhood restaurant or grocery store. That's the small-town scene the city aims to preserve.
With excellent schools, affordable living, and countless outdoor and cultural activities, Colorado Springs is consistently ranked among the best places to live. Highlights include the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, Olympic Training Centers, and world-class hiking in nearby Garden of the Gods. To explore Colorado Springs, click here.