Associate Pastor First Central Bible Church

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Chicopee (MA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary and benefits commensurate with experience

Job summary

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is seeking an Associate Pastor for First Central Bible Church in Chicopee, Massachusetts. This full-time position is integral to the pastoral team and focuses on leading, teaching, and shepherding the church community.

The ideal candidate will possess a deep commitment to discipleship and demonstrate effective communication skills, with at least five years of local church ministry experience. Compensation will reflect both experience and education, enhancing the church’s overall mission.

Qualifications

• Clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and life marked by spiritual maturity.
• Meets the biblical qualifications of an elder.
• Minimum of 5 years of ministry experience in a local church.

Responsibilities

• Share preaching and teaching responsibilities with the Lead Pastor.
• Serve as an elder and provide spiritual leadership.
• Lead one or more ministry areas based on gifting.

Skills

Teaching and communication

Leadership

Spiritual maturity

Ability to engage across generations

Education

Master of Divinity (M.Div) or similar theological training

Job description

Position Title: Associate Pastor
Reports to: Lead Pastor
Status: Full-Time
Location: First Central Bible Church – Chicopee, Massachusetts

Church Overview

First Central Bible Church exists to glorify God through making and maturing disciples of Jesus.

We are an elder‑led church with approximately 120 members and a growing commitment to Biblical teaching, gospel‑centered community, and personal evangelistic outreach. Located in Chicopee, Massachusetts, we are multi‑generational and focused on helping people live out faithful obedience to Christ in everyday life.

Position Summary

The Associate Pastor will serve as a key member of the pastoral team. He will help carry the shepherding and teaching load of the church. He should have previous church leadership experience and a strong teaching gift and thrive in a dynamic, fast‑paced ministry environment.

He must meet the biblical qualifications for eldership and, if affirmed by the church, will serve as an elder alongside the Lead Pastor and elder team. Specific ministry responsibilities will be shaped around his unique strengths, with potential areas of oversight including discipleship, small groups, young adults, or next‑generation ministry. This is a strategic position that supports the overall vision of the church by developing people, deepening community, and strengthening biblical engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Share regular preaching and teaching responsibilities with the Lead Pastor, with a goal of preaching at least once per month and teaching in other settings as needed
• Serve as an elder, actively participating in the shepherding, oversight, and spiritual leadership of the body
• Provide leadership and direction to one or more ministry areas based on gifting (e.g., discipleship, small groups, young adults, or next gen)
• Equip and train volunteer leaders for ministry effectiveness
• Participate in pastoral care, counseling, and visitation as needed
• Collaborate with the Lead Pastor and elder team in vision alignment, ministry planning, and church‑wide initiatives
• Support and participate in church‑wide events, retreats, and seasonal programming

Qualifications

• A clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and a life marked by spiritual maturity and integrity
• Meets the biblical qualifications of an elder (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9)
• Demonstrated gifting in teaching and communication, both publicly and interpersonally
• A minimum of 5 years of ministry experience in a local church setting
• Agreement with the church’s doctrinal statement and alignment with complementarian convictions regarding pastoral leadership
• Energetic, flexible, and eager to engage people across generations
• Humble, team‑oriented, and able to lead with both conviction and grace
• Master of Divinity (M.Div) or similar theological training preferred

Compensation

Compensation includes salary and benefits and is commensurate with experience and education.