Interim Pastor/Head of Staff

Chicagopresbytery; Deerfield (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield seeks an experienced Interim Senior Pastor to lead our congregation through discernment, renewal, and transition.

We seek a collaborative leader with exceptional preaching, pastoral care, emotional intelligence, and communication skills who will inspire worship, nurture spiritual growth, strengthen staff and lay leadership, and prepare the congregation to welcome its next installed pastor.

Qualifications

• Experience leading congregations through interim periods.
• Strong preaching and worship leadership.
• Ability to guide staff and volunteers.
• Excellent interpersonal communication.
• Commitment to inclusive hospitality and care.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Head of Staff, supervising church staff and coordinating ministry areas.
• Lead worship through preaching, administration of sacraments, and ceremonies.
• Provide compassionate pastoral care through visitation and prayer.
• Foster spiritual growth through teaching, formation, and discipleship.
• Collaborate with Session, ministry teams, and volunteers to strengthen leadership.
• Welcome visitors and engage new members while supporting outreach.
• Guide interim ministry tasks and help prepare a Ministry Discernment Profile.

Skills

Preaching

Pastoral care

Staff leadership

Communication

Interim ministry

Collaborative leadership

Congregational discernment

Job description

Interim Pastor/Head of Staff - First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield - Deerfield, IL

Position type:Interim Pastor/Head of Staff

Description:

Interim Pastor (full-time)

Position Summary:

First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield seeks an experienced Interim Senior Pastor to lead our congregation through a season of discernment, renewal, and transition. We seek a collaborative leader with exceptional preaching, pastoral care, emotional intelligence, and communication skills who will inspire worship, nurture spiritual growth, strengthen staff and lay leadership, and prepare the congregation to welcome its next installed pastor.

The Interim Pastor will guide the congregation through the developmental tasks of interim ministry by honoring our history, strengthening leadership, clarifying our mission and vision, encouraging healthy dialogue, and equipping the church for its next chapter. We hope this leader will bring energy, compassion, creativity, and a thoughtful perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the Church today.

Our Church and Community

Our mission is to be awelcoming, Christ-centered congregation, committed in faith and love to embracing, nurturing, and equipping all to serve God.This statement guides every aspect of our ministry and is reflected in our worship, communications, outreach, and congregational life.

First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield recently celebrated its150th anniversaryand has long been an active presence in the Deerfield community. Located in Chicago's northern suburbs, Deerfield is a thriving and diverse community of approximately 20,000 residents with outstanding schools, strong civic engagement, and a rich variety of religious traditions.

Our congregation values thoughtful worship, meaningful relationships, service to others, lifelong faith formation, and welcoming people of all ages into an authentic Christian community.

Primary Responsibilities

The Interim Senior Pastor will:

• Serve as Head of Staff, providing collaborative leadership, supervision, mentoring, and support for church staff.
• Lead inspiring, Christ-centered worship through preaching, administration of the Sacraments, and officiating baptisms, weddings, funerals, and memorial services.
• Provide compassionate pastoral care through visitation, counseling, prayer, and spiritual encouragement.
• Foster spiritual growth through Scripture-based teaching, faith formation, and discipleship for all generations.
• Encourage intergenerational fellowship, community engagement, and participation in local and global mission.
• Work collaboratively with Session, Deacons, ministry teams, and volunteers to strengthen shared leadership.
• Welcome and engage visitors and new members while supporting outreach to the broader community.
• Help cultivate a vibrant ministry of fellowship, prayer, stewardship, and congregational care.
• Guide the congregation through the developmental work of interim ministry and assist the Session and Pastor Nominating Committee in preparing a Ministry Discernment Profile for the next installed pastor.

Desired Skills and Qualities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Inspiring, biblically grounded preaching and worship leadership.
• Strong interpersonal, pastoral, and communication skills.
• Emotional intelligence, humility, and collaborative leadership.
• Experience leading congregations through periods of transition and change.
• A commitment to developing staff, volunteers, and emerging leaders.
• Creativity in designing meaningful opportunities for worship, learning, and discipleship.
• A visible, approachable pastoral presence within the congregation.
• The ability to encourage thoughtful engagement with contemporary cultural and societal issues through a Christ-centered perspective.
• A passion for hospitality, outreach, and helping people discover opportunities to serve.

Our Hope

We seek an Interim Senior Pastor who will provide faithful leadership during this important season of transition—someone who will nurture our congregation, strengthen our ministries, deepen our relationships with one another and our community, and help prepare us, with confidence and hope, to call our next installed pastor.