Associate Pastor Position Description

Chicago, IL
www.firstfree.com

Who We Are
First Evangelical Free Church (First Free) is an urban congregation of approximately 350 people located on the north side of Chicago in the Edgewater neighborhood. We are a diverse group of people united in Christ and by our commitment to bringing the life-changing message of Jesus Christ to our neighborhood, Chicago and beyond.

First Free has a rich heritage of initiating and supporting numerous ministries both in the city and around the world. We believe God has strategically placed us in a culturally, socially and economically diverse location in the heart of Andersonville (between Uptown and Rogers Park), presenting us with many opportunities to serve our community. The body of First Free reflects the wonderful diversity of its surrounding neighborhoods.

Our Vision
First Free’s vision is to cultivate a thriving urban community by experiencing life in Jesus through reaching up, reaching in and reaching out. In reaching up, we want to love God with our whole heart and live out our passion for worship, scripture reading and prayer. In reaching in, we seek to experience life together according to the principles of Acts 2. In reaching out, we desire to serve and share Christ’s love with our community and world.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Senior Pastor

Peer relationships:

• Director of Student Ministries
• Director Children and Family Ministries
• Director of Worship Arts
• Director of Operations
• Facilities Manager

Oversees (volunteer):

• Global Missions Team Leader
• Small Group Coaches
• Ministry Coordinators

Position Summary
The Associate Pastor will help fulfill First Free’s vision by assisting the Senior Pastor in providing leadership for outreach, small group ministries, and adult learning community programs/Christian education. In partnership with the church staff and volunteers, the Associate Pastor is also responsible for developing teams that plan and organize ministry community meetings, retreats, outreach events, and short-term mission trips.

Primary Responsibilities
Outreach

• Champion First Free’s vision for reaching our community and world for Jesus Christ.
• Train the congregation in communicating God’s love to others by modeling and instructing through workshops and mentoring.
• Bring Word-centered and prayer-based responses to issues of social justice both near and far.
• Integrate existing outreach ministries more closely with the ministry of First Free, including arts and neighborhood events.
• Provide leadership for ministries of justice and compassion such as Breakthrough Urban Ministries, HELPSudan and Community Care Clinic.
• Serve as staff liaison to the global missions team; provide oversight and support to the team leaders.
• Grow existing relationships within the community such as with the Chamber of Commerce.

Small Groups

• Expand, train and support a thriving small group ministry.
• Build a team to help recruit and train small group leaders.

Adult Learning Communities/Christian Education

• Oversee and expand a learning community education program for congregation and neighborhood including Bible studies, marriage enrichment classes, ALPHA and stewarding-our-resources workshops.
• Recruit, train and deploy teachers for adult education classes on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
• Develop teams to organize ministry community meetings and retreats.
• Preach on Sunday mornings approximately four to eight times a year.

Ideal Experience

• Involved in ministries of justice and compassion on a local and global basis.
• Engaged with and led small group leaders.
• Built learning communities and planned retreats and events within a church or parachurch setting.
• Lived and served in an urban and diverse community.
• Helped to develop ministries and expand programs to a greater level of effectiveness.
• Executed pastoral duties such as preaching.
• Master of Divinity desired, not necessary.

Ideal Qualifications

• Demonstrates spiritual maturity and knowledge of the Bible; exhibits a growing dependence on God; possesses an authentic faith in Jesus Christ.
• Is able to identify and support opportunities where the church can show the love of Christ in compassionate ways locally and globally.
• Has a contagious passion for mercy, reconciliation and justice ministry.
• Personally practices compassionate outreach and evangelism.
• Has a deep appreciation for diverse cultures.
• Leads by influence; someone others follow; generates excitement and empowers others to serve.
• Is innovative and creative in proclaiming and sharing the love of God through Jesus Christ.
• Has excellent oral and written communication skills; has a motivating and inspiring speaking/writing style.
• Has very high social skills; a connector and networker.
• Has strong planning and implementing skills and experience.
• Brings structure to new ideas for ministry; able to identify, prioritize and support the God-given visions of others in the congregation.
• Is knowledgeable about learning theories.
• Exhibits both organizational and entrepreneurial skills.
• Demonstrates ability to direct multiple programs or ministries.
• Shows initiative and follow-through abilities; results oriented.
• Acknowledges the contributions of the team members.
• Self-directed; able to operate effectively without a great deal of direction or oversight.
• Possesses a good sense of humor; projects genuine concern for others and loves to have fun.
• Is humble; has a servant-leadership style.

Are you interested in this position?
Please send inquiries and resumes to dcmfirstfree[at]mac.com