Senior Pastor

Seward Congregational Church; Pecatonica Township (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Seward Congregational Church in Pecatonica Township is seeking a dedicated Senior Pastor to lead the congregation spiritually. The role involves preaching, community engagement, and supporting ministry development.

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in Christian doctrine and experience in pastoral leadership. Responsibilities include providing counseling, organizing church programs, and fostering community relationships. Flexibility with hours required, including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in theology, ministry, or a related field.
• Master of Divinity (MDIV) or equivalent theological training preferred.
• Previous pastoral or ministry leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary spiritual leader and shepherd of the congregation.
• Preach and teach biblically grounded sermons weekly.
• Provide pastoral counseling regarding weddings, funerals, baptisms.

Skills

Strong personal faith and commitment to Christian doctrine

Excellent communication and teaching skills

Compassionate pastoral heart and emotional intelligence

Strong leadership and organizational abilities

Conflict resolution and counseling skills

Experience in digital ministry and social media engagement

Community networking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in theology, ministry, or related field

Master of Divinity (MDIV) or equivalent theological training preferred

Job description

SEWARD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Pastor

Full time position. Revised 4/4/2026.

Position Summary

The Pastor serves as the primary spiritual leader and shepherd of the congregation. The Pastor is responsible for preaching the Word of God, leading worship, providing pastoral care, equipping believers in the ministry, and guiding the church in fulfilling its mission. The Pastor provides spiritual leadership to help the church grow in faith, discipleship, and community impact.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in theology, ministry, or a related field.
• Master of Divinity (MDIV) or equivalent theological training preferred.
• Experience: Previous pastoral or ministry leadership experience preferred.
• Experience preaching and teaching.
• Strong personal faith and commitment to Christian doctrine.
• Excellent communication and teaching skills.
• Digital ministry and social media engagement.
• Compassionate pastoral heart and emotional intelligence.
• Strong leadership, team building, and organizational abilities.
• Conflict resolution and counseling skills.
• Community networking.
• Strategic planning and forward vision.

Work Conditions

• Full or part time role with flexible hours.
• Requires evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Includes public speaking, counseling, and community involvement.

Administration and Responsibilities

• Chief administrator of the life and programs of Seward Congregational Church, a member of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, and will represent all bodies of the congregation.
• Serves as ex-officio member of all committees and organizations of the church, assisting, advising, attending as many as possible, as time permits.
• Works with the music director to design the music program.
• Youth Group leadership.
• Works with the church secretary to ensure the secretarial duties are carried out.
• Communicate with volunteers and lay people to ensure the workload is organized and tasks are carried out.
• Maintain accurate records of baptisms, deaths, and new members and submit to the church clerk.
• Maintain accurate records of all pastoral duties and submit as appropriate monthly (or as called for) reports to the trustees and diaconate.
• Unlock the church by 8 a.m. on Sunday morning and lock, or delegate that job if conflict arises, after fellowship hour. Unlock or lock as needed on weekdays and when special occasions dictate. Consider unlocking by 7 a.m. if there is a funeral.
• Ensure the marquee is changed on a weekly basis.
• Inform bereaved families of funeral expenses (organist, sound people, pastor, soloist fees and other rental fees).

Spiritual Leadership

• Preach and teach biblically grounded sermons that encourage spiritual growth each Sunday except during vacation.
• Lead weekly worship services and special services (Christmas, Easter, etc.).
• Administer ordinances such as baptism and communion.
• Promote discipleship among members, family situations, etc.
• Provide pastoral counseling as a priority regarding weddings, funerals, baptisms.

Pastoral Care

• Provide counseling, prayer, and spiritual guidance among members.
• Make regular visits to nursing homes, the sick, elderly and homebound, offering communion at least twice a year.
• Make hospital visits to members/family who are hospitalized.
• Officiate weddings, funerals, and dedication services.
• Call on members in their homes when invited or as needed.
• Support members through crisis, grief, and major life transitions.

Leadership and Church Vision

• Participate with congregation members in the development of the church mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Seek to be Christ-like in attitude and conduct.
• Attend church leadership meetings such as diaconate and trustees.
• Foster a healthy church culture rooted in biblical values.

Ministry Development

• Act as a resource for small groups, bible study and Sunday school programs.
• Support youth programs of the church and conduct confirmation classes.
• Lead prospective members in the process of becoming a member of the church with educational classes as needed.
• Support members to use their spiritual gifts in the ministry of the church.
• Prepare the monthly church newsletter, the CHIMES; share a devotion for the monthly newsletter.
• Serve as a delegate to the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.

Community Engagement

• Represent the church in the local community and participate in community activities and school functions as time permits.
• Reach out to people that are new to the community and follow up with visitors attending services or events.
• Build relationships with community leaders and organizations.
• Cultivate new members through outreach.
• Assist with outreach programs and events, service projects, and evangelic efforts.

Evaluation and Growth

• Meet quarterly, or as mutually agreed, with the pastoral relations committee composed of members of the trustees, the diaconate, and a member of the congregation selected by the pastor.
• Attend yearly evaluation with a member of the trustees and a member of the diaconate; complete evaluation form for review at the evaluation meeting.