Senior Pastor

Organization Description
We are the First Congregational Church of Western Springs (www.wscongo.org). Founded in 1887 and now in our third home and second location, we welcome all people as children of God and value that our members come from many traditions. This breadth of theological perspectives allows us to learn from one another and helps us to grow in our own Christian faith in an atmosphere of love and respect. We ask our new members to bring the best of what they have experienced and to acknowledge that all of us have come from a variety of backgrounds and may be in different places on our faith journeys. As a growing and thriving church family, the Church seeks to be a faithful people, to introduce our children to a loving Jesus, and to live out our faith in Christian mission and service.

We are an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation and welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions to join with us in our worship, mission and service.

The Role of the Senior Pastor – First Congregational Church

This is a time of growth and promise for our church. Calling a Senior Pastor will be one of the great moments in our church’s life given the nature and tenure of the relationships we have enjoyed with all of our Senior Pastors. As a result, selecting the next person will be exciting and very impactful.

Reporting to the Executive Committee and Church Council, The Senior Pastor serves as the senior spiritual leader for our Church providing pastoral support and direction to all members of both the congregation and staff. In conjunction with the Executive Committee and Church Council they will also oversee all elements (strategic and day-to-day), of the Church’s operations, business, human resources and financial affairs.

This is a full-time position and includes a competitive salary, full benefits along with relocation costs. The chosen candidate must have residence in the area.

Leadership Characteristics & Personal Attributes

• Demonstrates the experience and skills to guide/advance and execute a compelling strategic plan / vision for the church.
• Demonstrates an ability to communicate and relate effectively with all members of the Congregation, and the Congregation along with inspirational preaching skills.
• Possesses a spirit of cooperation and fellowship within and across the congregation and Church community.
• Demonstrates a passionate, heartfelt love for our church community and a Christ-like concern for the congregation’s spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Possesses a “High Emotional Quotient.” Demonstrates an ability to be approachable and able to work with others through maturity, humbleness, and transparency.
• Possesses both the ability and desire to work with varied theological perspectives and diverse personality types.

Qualifications and Experience

• The selected candidate an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, a reciprocal denomination as recognized by the United Church of Christ, or other progressive protestant denominations assuming, they are willing to gain standing / status in the UCC.
• Possesses a Master of Divinity or beyond from an accredited seminary.
• Has at least 7 to 10 years’ experience overall with at least 3 years’ experience managing others, preferably in a large, multiple staff church.
• Possesses outstanding communication skills both written and oral, and the Congregation expects the selected candidate to have strong preaching skills and a passion for pastoral care.
• Has led efforts alongside other church staff and lay leaders to develop and / or enhance the church’s programs and ministries. Particularly, in advancing effective programs targeting and supporting younger families, young adults and children.
• Has an awareness of the technological and spiritual challenges of leading a hybrid church while at the same time, possessing significant experience leading a traditional worship service (though able to be creative and adaptive within that setting).
• Possesses experience participating in strategic and annual planning and overseeing church financial and administrative activities.
• Willingness and ability to cultivate prospective new members and families.
• As the face of our congregation, plays a highly visible and engaged role in our broader community.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for advancement and fundraising and a willingness to be engaged at some level with both annual pledge efforts and longer-term capital campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience both representing and playing a lead role in their church’s outreach and mission efforts on a local, national and global levels.

Time Commitment
40 – 60 hours per week and as needed as church and pastoral needs require.

Compensation And Benefits

Salary – Salary basis is negotiable and will be commensurate with the years of experience, skills and abilities of the selected candidate. The salary plus housing allowance will meet or exceed the Illinois Conference Guidelines based on experience.

Benefits – The full array of benefits offered through the UCC and a robust relocation package.

We expect the selected candidate to live in or close to our Church and the Western Springs community. While we no longer have a parsonage, we do have a fund available to provide mortgage assistance.

To Apply

Submit a letter of interest, up-to-date resume, three references and links to sermons to: [email protected].

A full church and opportunity profile will be sent to applicants upon receipt of their documents.