Associate Pastor

Mt Gilead Church); Olney (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Mt Gilead Church is seeking an Associate Pastor to aid the Pastor in ministry leadership and to move first-time guests toward active participation within the church community.

The role emphasizes assimilation, guest experience, and oversight of small groups, with opportunities to oversee volunteer development and contribute to pastoral care and rites as needed.

Qualifications

• Vibrant relationship with Jesus, regular prayer, alignment with Mt Gilead Church beliefs.
• Experience in leadership development and guest services preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in ministry related field preferred, flexibility for other study paths with aptitude.
• High social intelligence and strong administrative organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Assimilation & Guest Experience: develop a clear newcomers pathway and oversee welcome team to ensure a warm environment.
• Small Groups Oversight: provide vision/leadership for small group ministry, recruit/train group leaders.
• Volunteer Development: create a volunteer pipeline to place members in serving roles matching gifts.
• Data Management: use church management systems to track attendance, follow-ups, and engagement metrics.
• Pastoral Care & Rites: as ordained/licensed minister, may preach, perform baptisms, weddings, and funerals; provide short-term counseling.

Skills

Spiritual Life

Education

Bachelor's degree in ministry related field

Job description

Job Description for Associate Pastor at Mt Gilead Church.

Definition

The Associate Pastor position for Mt Gilead Church will be a strategic leader responsible for assisting the Pastor in multiple ministry responsibilities but with an emphasis on moving people from being first‑time guests to fully engaged participants within the church community.

Core Responsibilities

• Assimilation & Guest Experience: Develop and manage a clear pathway for newcomers, and oversee the First Impressions Team (greeters, ushers, welcome center and potentially parking ministries) to ensure a welcoming environment.
• Small Groups Oversight: Work with the Pastor to provide vision and leadership for the church’s small group ministry, which includes recruiting, training, and coaching group leaders.
• Volunteer Development: Create and implement a "volunteer pipeline" to identify, recruit, and place congregants into serving roles that match their spiritual gifts.
• Data Management: Utilize church management systems, such as the Planning Center Online, to track attendance, manage follow‑up workflows, and measure engagement metrics.
• Pastoral Care & Rites: As an ordained or licensed minister, they may preach periodically, perform baptisms, weddings, and funerals, and provide short‑term counseling.

Qualifications

• Spiritual Life: Must have a vibrant relationship with Jesus, have a love for studying the Scriptures, have a regular prayer habit and be fully surrendered to God. The person must also agree with the Core Beliefs and Values of Mt Gilead Church.
• Experience: Ministry experience is preferred, specifically in leadership development and guest services. But we will prayerfully consider someone who exhibits the aptitude and heart for this type of ministry and feels the tug of God to pursue it.
• Education: We prefer that the candidate has a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a ministry related field. However, again, we are willing to consider someone who has pursued a different course of study but shows the aptitude and passion to work in this type of ministry.
• Skills: High social intelligence, strong administrative organizational skills, and an authentic, energetic personality.

Summary of the Role's "Three-Fold" Goal

• Connect people to God: Guiding people through spiritual growth pathways such as Biblical teaching, baptism and membership classes.
• Connect people to Others: Placing individuals into community through small groups.
• Connect people to their Mission: Equipping people to use their gifts in service and local outreach.