Pastoral Resident

Organization Description
First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville is a large congregation located in the northern Chicago suburbs. We are located a five‐minutes’ walk away from a charming, historic main street that offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and services, as well as a beautiful park that hosts picnics, fairs, concerts, and other gatherings throughout the year. The nearby Metra train station provides access directly to downtown Chicago. In the immediate area, there are a wide range of bike paths, parks, forest preserves, and performing arts organizations.

First Pres is a dedicated and welcoming community that has inspired service, vocations, and spiritual growth among families and individuals of every age and every station in life for 150 years. We are a Presbyterian Church (USA) “Matthew 25 congregation” focusing on all three initiatives of building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty. In order to best support our efforts in dismantling structural racism, we established our Committee on Anti‐Racism and Equity (CARE), which provides education and partnership opportunities both within our congregation and in the larger community. We work for Christian unity and we grow in love with one another. We believe that a church is called to inspire by word and deed through its common life and the life of its members. Ours is a community with a strong calling for mission outreach, faith formation, and worship through music.

We have two 10 a.m. services – a traditional service in the Sanctuary and a contemporary service in the Chapel. We currently live stream our worship services for people who wish to join us in worship remotely. We celebrate in worship with a vibrant music program, from our numerous children’s and adult choirs, the Chapel Music team, multiple handbell choirs, pipe organ, and major work services performed by our Chancel Choir.

Job Description

General Position Description

• Length of residency: Two‐year pastoral residency (2024 – 2026)
• Education requirements: Recent seminary graduate (M.Div. degree) on track for ordination
• Theological: Reformed tradition
• Primary focus: Pastoral responsibilities for a large, suburban congregation, with a focus on Faith Formation

Scope of Ministry

Although this residency will involve a particular emphasis on Faith Formation, the Resident will participate in leading worship (including preaching), support community engagement as well as congregational care, and play a role in church governance. Intentional time for reflection and study on the practice of ministry is part of the residency.

Regular areas of ministry

Church Governance

• Attend relevant staff and committee meetings
• Attend meetings of the Session and Board of Deacons as schedule allows

Faith Formation

• Collaborate with the Head Pastor, church staff, and Interim Associate Pastor in developing and administering our Faith Formation programs
• Design and prepare necessary materials and resources for our educational “Follow Me” learning ministry each week
• Direct Junior and Senior High Fellowship groups
• Collaborate with the Associate Pastor for leadership with confirmation classes, retreats, and mission trips
• Assist the Interim Associate Pastor in planning for various forms of Adult Christian Education
• Prepare and support an array of intergenerational Faith Formation opportunities throughout the year
• Provide support for families in continuing Faith Formation at home
• Attend Faith Formation committee meetings, as well as all Faith Formation staff planning meetings throughout the month

Worship

• Attend requisite staff and committee meetings in planning worship
• Lead worship, and take part in opportunities to preach quarterly at First Pres and occasionally in other worship settings and communities
• Lead and equip members for leadership with children in their experience of worship on Sunday mornings

Occasional Avenues of Leadership and Involvement

Community Engagement

• Assist the development of our Dismantle Structural Racism and Eradicate Systemic Poverty initiatives as part of our work as a Matthew 25 congregation. Partner with CARE, Mission Committee, and Community Outreach of the Board of Deacons
• Participate in strengthening our ties with Mosaic Ministries of Waukegan/North Chicago
• Support ministries engaged with our partner churches in Chicago, Cuba, and Italy

Congregational Care

• Aid our Senior Ministries of the Board of Deacons for visitation and worship in retirement communities.
• Creatively strengthen bonds of fellowship and fellowship among various ministries of the Board of Deacons and the Congregational Care and Evangelism Committee

General Administration

• On occasion work with the Business Affairs, Long Range Planning, Nominating, Stewardship and other Committees and Task Forces to support the planning and general governance of the church
• Be a participant observer in occasional paid and volunteer staff planning groups

Description Residency Learning Development Program
At the start of the residency, the Pastor/Head of Staff will work with the Resident and an adjunct Pastoral Coach to design the best syllabus of learning to accompany the practice of learning. A combination of theological inquiry, case study reflection, and practical discernment for ministry will be part of structured reflection. The Pastor/Head of Staff will meet every other week for 90 minutes of conversation about the practice of ministry including some structured theological reflection and a monthly case study review. The Pastoral Coach (a seasoned pastor working as adjunct in this capacity for First Pres) will meet once a month as an outside sounding board about the practice of ministry.
Upon arrival, the resident will be offered a list of spiritual directors and a monthly stipend to provide a monthly space for deepened personal examination of vocation and discernment.

Qualifications/Experience/Skills

Education requirements: Recent seminary graduate (M.Div. degree) on track for ordination
Benefits Entry level pay for Presbyterian Church (USA) minister plus medical benefits (pension contribution included if ordained while serving).