Associate Pastor (Education and Care)
Mount Olive Lutheran Church (MOLC) – Greenwood, Indiana
Mount Olive Lutheran Church (MOLC) is seeking candidates for the position of **Associate Pastor (Education and Care). We are an independent Christian congregation located in Greenwood, Indiana, approximately 16 miles south of Downtown Indianapolis.
Since our founding in 1995, our mission has been to **bring all people into a living relationship with Jesus Christ. We are dedicated to the principles of the Lutheran Reformation, affirming that salvation is achieved by **grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone**, with **Scripture alone** serving as the authority for God's revelation.
Our church family is comprised of 647 baptized members, with an average attendance of 300 people across our two Sunday worship services.
Position Purpose and Overview
The Associate Pastor works in cooperation with the Senior Pastor to ensure the spiritual needs and requirements of our members are met. The role involves assisting the Senior Pastor in leading the church's spiritual mission, looking after members' spiritual well-being, and leading efforts to evangelize and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for Christian education, including adult, children and youth ministry, as administering and leading Christian education activities is a focus of this position. The Associate Pastor will also be an integral part of our worship services and will work closely with the Senior Pastor to share various pastoral care responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities for the Associate Pastor (Education and Care) include, but are not limited to:
Christian Education
* Providing spiritual leadership and oversight of Christian education programs.
* Developing, leading, and teaching educational programs for children and youth, including coordinating **Children’s Church, Confirmation classes (7th and 8th graders), middle school and high school programs/events, outreach, and VBS.
* Developing, administering, and teaching adult Bible studies and other Christian educational programs, as well as leading new member orientation and adult Confirmation classes.
* Coordinating member volunteers to staff various programs and activities.
Worship and Sacraments
* Assisting the Senior Pastor in preparation for worship services, including liturgy, readings, sermons, and coordinating music.
* Preaching at approximately 20% of the services.
* Sharing other pastoral duties (announcements, readings, communion, baptisms, the call to worship).
* Leading a brief children’s message prior to Children’s Church on designated Sundays.
* The candidate must be supportive of both traditional and contemporary worship styles as our volunteer music team utilizes a mix of both.
* Administering the sacraments in accordance with divine institution. .
Pastoral Care and Services
* Assuming the lead role in calling on members who are **hospitalized, homebound, or confined to long-term care facilities. .
* In collaboration with the Senior Pastor, providing solace and spiritual guidance to members who are sick, hospitalized, or bereaved.
* Assisting the Senior Pastor in administering baptisms, weddings, and funeral services.
* Greeting visitors and prospective new members before and immediately following services each Sunday. .
Spiritual and Administrative Leadership
* Maintaining harmony, managing conflict, and creating enthusiasm for church activities.
* Serving as an example of Christian conduct and maintaining a disciplined life of prayer and personal devotion.
* Attending the Parish Planning Council (PPC) and the Board of Lay Ministry meetings to stay informed of church decisions and programs (the position does not have voting rights but input is welcome).
* Working with church committees to maximize volunteer efforts.
Community Information
Mt. Olive is situated in **Center Grove Schools District**, recognized as one of the best public school districts in Indiana [14]. The surrounding area is one of the fastest growing sections of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, offering convenient access to the Indianapolis International Airport and a wealth of cultural, culinary, and sporting attractions [4].
Next Steps and Additional Information
We encourage interested and qualified candidates to learn more about Mount Olive Lutheran Church and the specifics of this opportunity.
For detailed information regarding this position, please consult the following documents:
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Introduction Letter: Information about our congregation.
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Statement of Beliefs and Core Values: Information about our theological foundations.
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Associate Pastor Job Description. Outline of responsibilities, purpose, and required skills for the role.
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Mount Olive Community Information: Information about our location, local area, schools, and helpful links.
Please direct inquiries and submit letters of interest and resumes to office@moconnect.org.