Job Title: Senior Pastor
Reports to: Elder Board
Position Status: Full time
THE NEED:
River City—purposefully located at the “intersection of race and poverty” on Chicago’s West Side—seeks a Senior Pastor to lead our congregation following our founding pastor’s 2024 departure. This leader will preach and teach the gospel, shepherd our congregation, lead and develop a small staff, and advance our pillars—worship, reconciliation, and neighborhood development—as we pursue God’s kingdom. Please see our church description here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ogFf1Kzzyn_Uvg2tK40DgiV4ew5ijq_N9YVspVEJ8RA/edit?tab=t.0
PROFILE:
Necessary to the role of Senior Pastor of River City Community Church is a high view of scripture with the word of God anchoring our pastor’s leadership, preaching, teaching, discipleship, evangelism, and compassion. This high view will always put Christ, our loving God and merciful savior, at the center of our pastor’s vocation and the community’s focus. Necessary to the role is an alignment with the church’s foundational pillars (https://www.rivercitychicago.com/ourpillars) of worship, reconciliation, and neighborhood development. River City’s Senior pastor must view these pillars in the context of a diverse congregation and city and bring both cultural competence and cultural humility to the calling. River City holds as necessary a senior leader who demonstrates a high level of spiritual maturity, daily integrity, and authenticity before others. This individual must set an example of faithfulness and humility and see themselves as a member of the community accountable to others and willing to grow individually as they seek the growth of others.
Important to the role of Senior Pastor of River City Community Church is an ability to prayerfully nurture faith and community within the church, cast light on the presence and beloved identity of marginalized groups in our church body, and guide the church in works of mercy to our neighbors especially those in West Humboldt Park. River City derives its name from Ezekiel 47 and Revelation 22, a prophetic vision of a river flowing through a city and blessing all nations. We pray for a pastor who imagines this shalom and calls us as followers of Christ to lives that seek the good of the city and ultimately the fullness of God’s kingdom on earth.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Preaching and Teaching
● Prepare and deliver biblical, well-researched, and engaging sermons 3-4 times per month that promote spiritual growth and challenge the congregation to apply scripture to their lives
● Cultivate the spiritual health and vitality of the congregation through teaching, leadership and personal example
● Lead and equip the church to be a vibrant multi-ethnic and multicultural body, modeling inclusivity in teaching, practice, and community engagement
● Facilitate, lead, and support Midweek sessions (a 10-week series of gatherings of small groups for reflection, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship occurring 3 times a year)
Pastoral Care
● Foster an inclusive and healthy church that encourages members to connect with one another, use their spiritual gifts, and welcome/serve the stranger
● Support and develop the staff and elder team through regular meetings, prayer, and guidance
● Work alongside the staff and elder team to shepherd our community
● Provide spiritual care to the congregation through relationship building, spiritual counseling, visitation of the sick, and presence during emergencies
● Conduct ceremonies, including officiating significant life events like weddings, baptisms, infant dedications, and funerals
● Participate as a part of the prayer team
Organizational Management and Oversight
● Oversee and support staff team, currently two full-time and one part-time staff members. Plan and lead weekly staff meetings. Provide direction, evaluation, and day-to-day supervision for staff
● Consult with staff on existing systems, policies, and processes to ensure they are documented and working efficiently
● Support the overall administrative work of the church and ensure best practices are documented and executed
● Collaborate with the staff/elder team in the process of clarifying and defining our church pillars and policies
Community Engagement and Outreach
● Maintain a strong connection to R City, our partner community development corporation, keeping close relationships with their leadership, staff, students, and families (intend to be part of their oversight board of directors)
● Champion the church by building relationships with other local organizations and representing the church in the broader community
● Maintain consistent presence at the church and in the community in day-to-day work
● Be a catalyst for social justice and neighborhood transformation with an acute awareness of local needs and associated systemic issues
Qualifications:
Ministry Experience:
A personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ, exhibiting integrity, humility, and spiritual maturity, and strong Biblical knowledge.
Minimum 4-7 years pastoral experience in a church setting
Preaching and teaching
Ministering in multicultural and diverse settings, including working with people of different cultures, races, and sexual orientations
Equipping and supporting lay leaders
Nurturing church community connections and growing attendance/membership
Education:
Master of Divinity (preferred) or degree in related field
Ordination preferred
Additional Relevant Experience and Skills:
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Leadership and administrative skills including supervising staff
Experience in providing strategic direction and operational and financial oversight
Neighborhood engagement, community outreach, and partnership development with local organizations and churches