Position: Pastor

LCMC; Sibley (IA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northwest Iowa is seeking a pastor certified with the LCMC to lead a faith-filled ministry in Sibley and surrounding communities. The role emphasizes preaching, teaching, and comprehensive pastoral care within a small, active congregation of 90–100 on Sundays.

The pastor will foster growth in youth and adult education, stewardship, and local mission efforts. The church offers a welcoming parsonage adjacent to a remodeled facility, with opportunities to

Qualifications

• Must be certified as an LCMC minister.
• Experience providing pastoral care and counseling.
• Ability to preach and teach in multiple settings (sermons, confirmation, youth).
• Willingness to lead in outreach and community involvement.
• Strong commitment to biblical stewardship and missions.

Responsibilities

• Preach and teach the word of God consistent with the faith and practice of the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
• Preside at worship services and administer the sacraments according to the LCMC practice.
• Provide pastoral care to all parish members as needed.
• Baptize, confirm, marry, visit the sick and distressed, and bury the dead.
• Install elected church council members and address internal personnel issues with the council.
• Encourage qualified persons to prepare for ministry and expand God’s Kingdom in the community.
• Distribute church periodicals and publications to share knowledge.
• Encourage financial support for Christian missions locally and globally.
• Lead meetings, activities, and organizations of the congregation.
• Visit and follow up with active/inactive, new, or transplanted members and those with life events.
• Establish a visitation group with stewardship and evangelism committees.
• Record baptisms, confirmations, marriages, funerals, and Holy Communion attendance; maintain rosters.
• Provide timely reports to the executive committee with a mileage log for visits.
• Dedicate time for scriptural study and engage with ministerial associations when possible.
• Oversee Vacation Bible School and collaborate with the education committee.
• Be actively involved in community ministry and Osceola County Ministerial Association."
• Contribute to youth ministry development and maintain confidentiality unless safety concerns arise.

Skills

Preaching

Pastoral care

Teaching

Stewardship

Community outreach

Education

LCMC minister certification

Job description

The members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC) are beginning the search for our next pastor as we continue our faith journey. Pastor musta certified with the LCMC.A recent survey of our members indicates the following desired qualities as our top priorities:

1. Ability to preach the Word of God in truth and purity.

2. Pastoral care for the sick, grieving, and elderly.

3. Teaching in various settings such as:

a. Confirmation

b. Adult Education

c. Sunday School

d. Youth Groups

4. Teach and demonstrate Biblical Stewardship

5. Cooperation with area pastors/churches, participation in school and community activities.

Our current pastor retired inOctober 1, 2026. If you are thinking about a new adventure in your life, feel the call of the Holy Spirit in your life and ministry, and would be open to considering ministry in Northwest Iowa, we would love to visit with you about the possibilities.

Our parish iscentered in Sibley, Iowa, an agricultural community of about 2,500 people. We have a recently remodeled church facility which is fully handicapped accessible. The parsonage is adjacent to the church. It is a spacious two‑story house with two bedrooms on the lower level and three bedrooms on the upper level. There is a full, unfinished basement and a two‑stall, attached garage. The congregation takes care of the mowing and snow removal.

TELC is a congregation with a 125‑year history started by early German members of the community. About 15years ago, many of our members became concerned about the direction of the ELCA. We experienced about 10 years of turmoil with declining membership and attendance. Covid also negatively affected our congregation. In 2020, the congregation voted to withdraw from the ELCA and joined LCMC. Since that time, we have seen an amazing renewal of mind and participation. We currently have an average of 90-100 and the Sunday School is growing.

The city of Sibley is the county seat of Osceola County. Sibley‑Ocheyedan is an excellent Preschool‑12 school system. There are two community colleges within 20 miles and numerous colleges and universities within an hour's drive. We boast a local hospital and medical clinic with five medical doctors and other medical professionals. We have an excellent grocery store, numerous eating establishments, and convenience stores. There are also several retail outlets to meet various everyday needs. We have an award‑winning golf course and a new swimming pool. There are two campgrounds nearby. We are also a short drive from Worthington, Minnesota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Sioux City, Iowa. The Iowa Great Lakes region is only a short drive away and provides all kinds of recreational opportunities.

Job Description: Pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Preach and teach the word of God consistent with the faith and practice of the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ. Candidatemust be certified as an LCMC minister.

Preside at worship services as scheduled by the council of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, and administer the sacraments according to the practice of the Lutheran Church.

Provide pastoral care to all members of the parish according to their needs.

The pastor shall provide instruction, counseling, baptize, confirm, marry, visit the sick and distressed, and bury the dead.

The pastor shall install regularly elected members of the church council, and with the council address internal personnel issues.

The pastor shall seek out and encourage qualified persons to prepare for ministry of the gospel, and strive to extend the Kingdom of God in the community, nation, and world.

The pastor shall impart knowledge of the Church and its wider mission through distribution of its periodicals and publications.

The pastor shall endeavor to increase the support given by the congregation to Christian missions, both locally and globally.

Give pastoral leadership/guidance for the meetings, activities, and organizations of the congregation.

Pastor will contact or oversee the visit of active/inactive members, prospective members, newly baptized or confirmed members, and members who have expressed a significant life event.

Establish a group to aid the pastor and the stewardship and evangelism committees in the visitation of the above‑mentioned members on a timely basis.

Be responsible for recording of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, funerals, attendance at Holy Communion, and the maintenance of membership rosters.

Make a timely report to the executive committee of the council of visits made to members and non‑members in pursuit of the Lord’s work. This should include a mileage log for reimbursement. Deletion of names will be allowed for privacy matters when needed.

The pastor shall be allowed and shall use time in the study of the scriptures and church doctrine. It is suggested that ministerial associations be used when available.

Take an active role in Vacation Bible School and work closely with the education committee and Bible School coordinator.

Be actively involved and open to ministry opportunities in the community at large.

Be an active part of the Osceola County Ministerial Association to represent Trinity Lutheran Church.

Assist in the continued development of the youth ministry at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran.

Maintain confidentiality per congregational members wishes unless you feel there is a threat to you or others.

Discuss physical/emotional health issues with the Mutual Ministries Committee annually.