Associate Pastor

Our Saviours Lutheran); Stanwood (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Stanwood, Washington, is seeking an Associate Pastor focusing on youth and family ministry. This role involves overseeing youth programs, engaging families, and fostering community connections, with an opportunity to preach and assist in worship services.

Ideal candidates will have significant experience in ministry, particularly with youth, and possess strong communication skills. The role is central to the church's mission of engaging families and discipling the next generation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of ministry experience focused on youth and family.
• Demonstrated ability to build and grow ministry.
• Strong teaching and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and implement a scalable youth ministry model.
• Recruit and develop a team of volunteer leaders.
• Help develop and grow small group ministry.

Skills

Leadership in youth ministry

Communication skills

Mentoring and coaching

Organizational strength

Education

M.Div. or equivalent

Tools

Worship-related technology

Job description

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (OSLC) seeks a relational, growth-oriented leader to serve as Associate Pastor with a primary focus on youth (K-12), young adult and family ministry. The Associate Pastor will be a key member of the pastoral team, providing spiritual leadership and ministry oversight, especially for youth programs and family ministries.

This role is ideal for someone who:

• Has proven experience leading youth and young adult ministry
• Is ready to step into broader pastoral leadership for young adults and families as well as mentor and support youth ministry leaders
• Feels called to build, grow, and multiply ministry impact over time

The Associate Pastor will begin by leading and growing a developing youth and family ministry into its next phase of impact, while also contributing to preaching, discipleship, and congregational life. As the ministry grows, this role may expand into broader leadership, with the potential to grow into senior pastoral leadership.

Who We Are

Our Mission: "Encounter God. Equip Believers. Extend His Kingdom."

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (OSLC) is a vibrant, growing community in Stanwood, Washington, rooted in scripture and faith since 1876. We are a congregation of 250–300 in regular weekly attendance that honors our heritage while embracing a dynamic future. Our worship life includes both traditional and contemporary services, ensuring that multiple generations can encounter God in ways that resonate with them.

We are currently in a season of active growth and renewal, building a space where everyone can discover their spiritual gifts. Whether through the beauty of the liturgy or the energy of modern worship, our goal is to equip believers of all ages to live out their faith in the world.

Key Responsibilities: Next Generation Ministries

• Youth Ministry
  1. Oversee the design and implement a scalable ministry model for middle and high school students
  2. Build strong, trusting relationships with youth and their families
  3. Reimagine the Confirmation journey as a catalytic experience for lifelong faith
  4. Oversee the creation of engaging environments (weekly programming, events, retreats)
• Family and Young Adult Engagement
  1. Strengthen ministry for families and young adults
  2. Equip parents to lead their children in faith
  3. Create, organize, and lead opportunities for connection, discipleship, and community
  4. Foster intergenerational relationships within the church
• Build and Develop a Sustainable Ministry Team
  1. Recruit, equip, and disciple a team of volunteer leaders to invest in the lives of youth
  2. Foster a culture of shared leadership and ownership within the ministry
  3. Provide ongoing leadership, coaching, and spiritual support to both volunteers and current and future ministry staff
• Discipleship & Small Groups
  1. Help develop and grow small group ministry, especially for younger adults
  2. Contribute to education, Bible studies, and faith formation

Secondary Responsibilities

• Preaching & Worship Services
  1. Opportunity to preach approximately once per month, or as needed
  2. Assist in leading worship and liturgical elements
  3. Partner closely with Senior Pastor and staff
• Pastoral Care & Congregational Life
  1. Build relationships across the entire congregation membership
  2. Support the spiritual walk of the entire church body
• Community Engagement
  1. Build relationships with local organizations and ministries
  2. Represent the church in the local community
  3. Help develop outreach pathways that connect people to the church
• Leadership & Organizational Contribution
  1. Alignment of ministries across youth and families

As trust and effectiveness are demonstrated, the role will expand to include:

1. Staff leadership and team development
2. Participation in strategic ministry planning
3. Increasing responsibility in church-wide leadership

What We Are Looking For

Calling & Character

• Deep, personal faith in Jesus Christ and desire to lead others in their walk
• Affirms the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, with alignment to the theology and mission of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC)
• Warm, relational, and approachable presence
• Heart for discipleship and next-generation ministry
• Ecclesiastical Standing:
  • The successful candidate will ideally be an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in LCMC. However, candidates with the necessary educational background (M.Div. or equivalent) and ministry experience who are not yet rostered will be considered. Continued employment is contingent upon the candidate entering and completing the ordination process within an agreed-upon timeframe (typically 18–24 months), with church support.

Experience & Capability

• 5+ years of ministry experience, ideally in youth and family ministry
• Demonstrated ability to build and grow ministry, not just maintain it
• Strong teaching and communication skills
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and lead volunteers
• Organizational strength without becoming overly administrative
• Preferred: Experience with worship-related technology (A/V, presentation software, livestreaming) and comfortable with supporting or leading elements of worship services

Leadership Potential

• Desire and capacity to grow into broader pastoral leadership
• Ability to lead people, not just programs
• Vision for building ministry that multiplies impact
• High emotional intelligence (EQ): demonstrates self-awareness, empathy, relational maturity, and the ability to navigate conflict, build trust, and care for people effectively

Why This Role Matters

We believe the future of our church will be shaped by how well we engage families today and disciple the next generation. This role is central to that mission. If you are called to build, lead, and invest in something that will have lasting impact—not just run programs—we would love to talk with you.