Associate Pastor

Trinity Lutheran Church:; Turtle Lake (ND); On-site; USD 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO (3 weeks)

Parsonage housing

Retirement contributions

Health insurance

Cell-phone reimbursement

Vehicle travel reimbursement

Continuing education allowance

Training and development networking

Job summary

Trinity Lutheran Church in Turtle Lake, ND seeks an Associate Pastor to lead worship, pastoral care, and educational programs. The candidate will serve in baptisms, weddings, funerals, and youth ministries, while fostering evangelism and relationships in the local community.

Requirements include a Master of Divinity or near completion, plus commitment to the LCMC Statement of Faith. County housing and benefits are provided with this full-time position.

Qualifications

• Requires Master of Divinity or Master of Theology from an accredited seminary or near completion.

Responsibilities

• Lead baptisms, weddings, funerals, worship services, and youth ministry.
• Develop relationships with families and members through visits to support evangelism.
• Oversee Christian education and nurturing of members; coordinate education programs.

Education

Master of Divinity or Master of Theology degree

Job description

Associate Pastor Job Description

Trinity Lutheran Church, 515 Kundert St, Turtle Lake, ND 58575

Requirements

Applicants must have a Master of Divinity or Master of Theology degree from an accredited seminary or have proof of being near completion of their education to obtain the degree. In addition, applicants must be willing to subscribe to the LCMC Statement of Faith and the characteristics of the sacraments in the Lutheran tradition. Applicants must also have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a background check and drug screening.

Compensation and Benefits

Trinity Lutheran Church offers a full-time entry level compensation package of $52,000 – $56,160 annually, based on experience. Additional benefits include three (3) weeks of PTO, housing (parsonage), paid retirement contributions, and health insurance. The congregation pays for parsonage utilities and offers reimbursement for cell-phone usage and personal vehicle travel at a contracted annual rate based on federal guidelines and congregation policy. Other benefits may not be guaranteed but could include a continuing education allowance and training and development networking opportunities.

This position offers a retention bonus valued at $15,000. The bonus is given to the recipient in three increments of $5,000 at the annual anniversary of the contracted start date.

Position Purpose

The Associate Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church will be responsible for the daily community, needs, and stewardship of church members in all ages of life. The Associate Pastor will lead the deliverance of baptisms, weddings, funerals, Sunday services, and Wednesday night youth ministries.

While looking after the spiritual well-being of members, the associate pastor will also spend time developing relationships with families and members through keeping an accurate record of visits to help lead evangelisms efforts amongst new members and acquaintances in the greater community of Turtle Lake.

All administrative, financial, and supervisory duties are completed by the congregation council.

Overview

Ideally the Associate Pastor will feel passionate about walking alongside all ages and backgrounds of life, with a primary focus of administering and leading the call to live a Christian life through active participation in the church. The candidate will lead worship services and do pastoral care responsibilities when and where appropriate for the congregation members.

The Associate Pastor will need to work closely with the Trinity Lutheran Church Council to ensure that all aspects of stewardship, evangelism, property, Christian education, and worship are being fostered through talents and gifts from the church community. The individual must be open to mentoring, coaching, and professional development. The individual must also be self-motivated, energetic, and possess strong interpersonal skills.

Christian Education

The Associate Pastor will support the development of education programs for the church including the coordination of Sunday School, Confirmation Classes, First Communion Classes, Vacation Bible School, and Adult Bible Studies.

Leads confirmation classes.

The candidate will have a record of providing leadership and oversight of Christian education activities within the church.

Spiritual Leadership

• Serves as an example of Chirstian 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.
• Maintains harmony, handles difficult personalities, manages conflict and resolves problems and creates enthusiasm for church activities.
• Works with our member volunteers to develop spiritual leaders.

Worship

• Assist the council in coordinating worship services to prepare liturgy, readings, sermons, coordinating music, children’s message, and etc.
• Administers the sacraments in accordance with the divine institution.

Counseling/Other Pastoral Services

• Provides solace and spiritual guidance to those members of the church who are sick, hospitalized, bereaved, or unable to attend church services.
• Lead the role in calling on members who are hospitalized, homebound, or confined to long-term care facilities.
• The Associate Pastor greets visitors and prospective new members each Sunday prior to and immediately following the services.
• Administers baptisms, weddings, and funeral services.
• Provides various pastoral services, as needed.

Administrative Leadership

Attends the monthly congregational meetings to maintain awareness of church activities, decisions, financial matters, and programs. The Associate Pastor does not have any voting rights at these meetings but is welcome to provide input in the decisions.

Works with church committees to maximize volunteer efforts within the congregation.

About the Congregation

Trinity Lutheran Church was established in 1964 by three Lutheran congregations that came together to begin a new adventure in ministry together as an American Lutheran Church. The congregation has a confirmed enrollment of 132 members and averaged 64 people in attendance in 2025.

Trinity Lutheran Church has an active women’s group, youth group, children’s Sunday school, and is the site of the Lord’s Pantry, a community food bank for the surrounding region. Trinity Lutheran Church supports local ministry by giving tithing to the McLean County Resource Center, the Turtle Lake Hospital Auxiliary, and Camp of the Cross Ministries.

The congregation has been in search for a new pastor after joining the LCMC in August of 2026. The former pastor resigned from his position with the congregation in 2024 and local lay-leaders have been supporting the ministry ever since. The congregation does not hold membership in any other Lutheran denomination and is planning to join the Northern Plains District of LCMC.

About Turtle Lake, North Dakota

Trinity Lutheran Church is located in Turtle Lake, North Dakota. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the town is home to 542 people and is centrally located in the state approximately, one (1) hour from Minot, ND to the north and one (1) hour from Bismarck, ND to the south.

Turtle Lake has over 30 businesses in the area which feature a community hospital, a primary care center with a dental clinic, a grocery store, coffee shop, bank, and more. The town is also the location of the Turtle Lake-Mercer School District which features a K-12 learning environment with state recognized academic, athletic, and club achievements.

Many families and individuals enjoy the outdoors and spend time on neighboring lake communities for recreation. Nearby attractions include the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Lake Sakakawea State Park, Fort Stevenson State Park, Cross Ranch State Park, Lake Sakakawea, and the Missouri River.

The greater central North Dakota region is home to the Bismarck Civic Center, the Gateway to Science Center, four shopping centers, one international and one regional airport, an Amtrak station, and the Magic City Discovery Center.

About the Parsonage

In June of 2025, the congregation purchased a 2-bedroom, 2 bath, 1,088 sq foot, single-family home with attached two-stall garage. The location of the parsonage is at 441 Becker St, Turtle Lake, ND.