Associate Pastor

Vanderbloemen; Greenwood (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Greenwood, IN seeks an Associate Pastor to work with the Senior Pastor, lead Christian education for children, youth, and adults, and support worship and pastoral activities.

The candidate should hold a Bachelor’s degree (Seminary preferred) and have 3+ years of ministry experience, with strong public speaking and teamwork skills.

Greenwood offers a welcoming community near Indianapolis, with family-friendly living and a active church life for ministry and service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Seminary Degree preferred.
• 3+ years of ministry experience.
• Good public communicator and is consistently prepared for speaking opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead Christian education and student ministries.
• Assist in worship preparation and preach at approximately 20% of services.
• Administer sacraments and lead pastoral duties.
• Provide solace and spiritual guidance to church members.

Skills

Public speaking

Team collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Seminary Degree

Job description

Mount Olive Lutheran Church is a Christ-centered congregation devoted to connecting people with Jesus and helping them grow in faith through worship, Word, and community. Rooted in the timeless truths of Scripture and the Lutheran tradition, the church offers meaningful worship experiences that blend rich liturgy and modern praise, heartfelt teaching grounded in the gospel, and opportunities for all ages to encounter God’s grace. At Mount Olive, children are welcomed and nurtured, adults are encouraged in Bible study and spiritual growth, and every member is valued as part of a loving fellowship committed to living out Christ’s mission in the world. With a clear mission to bring all people into a living relationship with Jesus Christ and a set of core values that emphasize love, service, spiritual growth, and community, Mount Olive seeks to be a place where faith is deepened, relationships are strengthened, and life is transformed by the good news of Jesus.

About the Associate Pastor

The Associate Pastor works in cooperation with the Senior Pastor to ensure the spiritual needs and requirements of the church members are met. The Associate Pastor assists the Senior Pastor in leading the church in its spiritual mission, looking after the spiritual well-being of the members, making sure the needs and concerns of the church are met in a timely and efficient manner, and leading the church in its efforts to evangelize and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The Associate Pastor’s responsibilities include:

Overview

The Associate Pastor will have a passion for Christian education and student ministry, as a primary focus for this position would be administering and leading all Christian education activities at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. The candidate would be an integral part of worship services and work closely with the Senior Pastor on various pastoral activities. They would work closely with the Senior Pastor on Christian education programs, worship, and other pastoral activities.

• The Associate Pastor will provide leadership and oversight of Christian education activities within the church, with particular focus on administering and teaching student and children's programs.
• Specifically, the Associate Pastor will develop, lead, and teach educational programs for children and student at Mount Olive, including the coordination of children's church, Confirmation classes, middle school and high school programs and events, outreach, VBS, and other educational activities.
• Develops, administers, and teaches Bible studies and other Christian educational programs for adults
• Leads new member orientation and adult Confirmation classes.
• Provides spiritual leadership for Christian education programs and activities for Mount Olive. Maintains harmony, handles difficult personalities, manages conflict and resolves problems, and creates enthusiasm for church activities. Serves as an example of Christian conduct, doing all that is possible for building up the congregation and the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ. Maintains a disciplined life of prayer and personal devotion.
• Coordinates volunteers to staff various programs, Bible studies, and Christian education programs/activities.Provides spiritual leadership for Christian education programs and activities for Mount Olive.
• Maintains harmony, handles difficult personalities, manages conflict and resolves problems, and creates enthusiasm for church activities.
• Serves as an example of Christian conduct, doing all that is possible for building up the congregation and the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ. Maintains a disciplined life of prayer and personal devotion.
• Works with our member volunteers to develop spiritual leaders.
• Coordinates member volunteers to staff various programs, Bible studies, and Christian education programs/activities.

Worship

• Establishes children's and student programs, coordinates children's and student activities.
• Assists Senior Pastor with preparation for worship services. The expectation is for the Associate Pastor to preach at approximately 20% of the services. The Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor would share other pastoral duties each Sunday, depending on who is delivering the sermon on any given Sunday. This will include announcements, readings, communion, baptisms, the call to worship, etc.
• On designated Sundays when the Associate Pastor delivers the message to the congregation, that person also leads a brief children's message for our children prior to them going to children's church.
• Leads worship services, as established by the Board of Lay Ministry.
• Administers the sacraments in accordance with the divine institution.

Counseling/Other Pastoral Services

• In collaboration with the Senior Pastor, the Associate Pastor ministers, provides solace and spiritual guidance to those members of the church who are sick, hospitalized, bereaved, or unable to attend church services.
• The Associate Pastor will assume the lead role in calling on members who are hospitalized, homebound, or confined to long-term care facilities.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Associate Pastor:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Seminary Degree preferred
• 3+ years of ministry experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Partners well with church staff and volunteers
• History working with students and enjoys investing in the next generation
• Good public communicator and is consistently prepared for speaking opportunities

What it’s like to live in Greenwood, IN

Living in Greenwood, Indiana offers a blend of suburban comfort, community spirit, and convenient access to big-city amenities just south of Indianapolis. With a family-friendly vibe and a lower cost of living than many nearby suburbs, Greenwood attracts a range of residents—from young families drawn to its quality public schools and abundant parks to professionals who appreciate being about a 20-minute drive from downtown Indy. The city is known for its extensive parks and recreation options, community events like the annual Freedom Festival, and a lively local scene that includes shopping at the Greenwood Park Mall, seasonal farmers markets, and a growing dining culture. Greenwood combines the calm and space of suburban life—with established and newer neighborhoods, walking trails, aquatic parks, and plenty of green space—with everyday conveniences like restaurants, cafés, and community gatherings that help neighbors feel connected. While some note that parts of Greenwood can feel typical of sprawling suburbs, many residents value its friendly atmosphere and balance of small-town comfort with easy access to urban opportunities.