Job Overview

Overview of First Church and our Search for an Assistant Pastor

First Church PCA in Lansing, IL has a rich history and a bright future. Originally planted by Dutch immigrants as the founding church in the center of town, First Church is the longest rooted institution in Lansing. Since 1861, First Church has been an anchor in the community, holding steady amidst the shifting winds of culture and doctrine. In 2014, First Church joined the PCA after long, unsuccessful efforts to reform the Reformed Church in America (RCA).

While many things have changed in the church, the most important things in our commitment to the ordinary means of grace have stayed the same in every generation. As First Church has been the faithful church of our grandparents, we also long for this to be a faithful church for our grandchildren and far into the future. In part, First Church has labored for the next generation as one of the original supporting churches of local Christian schools, support that we actively continue to this day.

Additionally, First Church has developed a thriving youth ministry. First Church's former Lead Pastor, Rev. Ben Kappers, spearheaded initial efforts to build a youth program that was committed to discipleship through the study of Scripture, prayer, and fellowship. After Rev. Kappers left to plant a new PCA church in Utah, Rev. Ken Wojnarowski was called as the Assistant Pastor of Youth and Young Adults. Under his leadership, the program continued to grow. After Rev. Wojnarowski's departure to take a new call serving a PCA church in North Carolina, we are prayerfully searching for a new man the Lord will lead to serve the youth of First Church in the next season.

The expected start date for this position is Summer 2026.

Our vision for this role is for a man who is:

• Mature, humble, and growing in grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Qualified for ordination in the Presbyterian Church in America.
• Devoted to the Word of God contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments both personally and in ministry, by preaching and teaching God's Word.
• Fully committed to the doctrinal standards of the PCA, as summarized in the Westminster Confession and Catechisms, especially in the authority, truthfulness, and sufficiency of Scripture as inerrant and infallible, and in a biblical vision for human sexuality.
• Excited about pastoring youth through evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship.
• Committed to serve in this role for at least 4-6 years.
• A team player who can (a) lead the Youth Task Force, which will help to support and direct the ministry; (b) direct and encourage youth volunteers serving in the ministry; (c) oversee those leading the Jr. High Youth Group and Young Adults Group; and (d) work well with other staff, elders, deacons, and parents.
• Seeking to grow and develop pastoral gifts not only through youth ministry, but also through regular preaching.
• Personally a good fit with the church's values, as expressed below.

Our Community

Our hometown of Lansing, Illinois is a suburban community on the south side of the city of Chicago, located on the Indiana/Illinois state line. Our blue-collar roots were established by Dutch and German immigrants who farmed, worked in industry and settled this area which is now home to a diverse population of Caucasian, African American and Hispanic people. We believe our call is to love our entire community, share the love of God with them and make fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Lansing at a glance:

• The Village of Lansing has a population of 29,076 as of 2021 and is one of only two suburban communities that increased its population since 2010.
• Lansing is home to approximately 11,400 households, 30% of which have children under the age of 18 living at home.
• Accordingly, Lansing is home to 8 updated and fully staffed public elementary schools, one public high school and one Christian elementary school.
• Lansing is home to the "Fox Pointe" concert venue, Lansing Municipal Airport, and the Historic Ford Hangar.

Learn more about Lansing by visiting the Village website: villageoflansing.org

Our Values

As we reflect on the factors that have made First Church unique over the years, the following values both express our history and our aspirations for the future. For our next assistant pastor, we are looking for a man who would share these values with us.

Faithful

Trusting in the Lord's faithfulness to establish and guard us, we seek to be a faithful anchor for others by holding fast to the word of life and not being tossed to and fro by the waves of culture or the winds of shifting doctrine. (Eph. 4:14; Phil. 2:16; 2 Thess. 3:3)

Zealous and Bold

Since we have such hope in Christ, we seek to speak God's word with all boldness to all people, that, by all means, God might save some. (Acts 4:29; 1 Cor. 10:22; 2 Cor. 3:12)

Compassionate

Because God has been compassionate and merciful to us, we seek to put on compassionate hearts to care for one another with genuine kindness. (Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 12:25; Jas. 5:11)

Servant-Minded

As the Son of Man came to serve, so also we seek to have the mind of Christ in us, clothing ourselves in self-sacrificial, servant-minded humility. (Matt. 20:28; Phil. 2:5; 1 Pet. 5:5)

Disciple-Making

Strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, we seek to make disciple-making disciples of our children and of those far off by delivering to others the gospel that we also received. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:39; 1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Tim. 2:1–2)

Joyful

Finding our strength in the joy of the Lord, we seek to rejoice in the Lord always, especially by making a joyful noise before him in our worship. (Neh. 8:10; Ps. 98:4; Phil. 4:4)

Job Description

First Church (PCA)

Lansing, IL

Assistant Pastor of Youth and Young Adults

Job Description

Primary Objective: The Assistant Pastor of Youth and Young Adults position oversees all youth and young adult related areas of First Church, which is under the leadership of the Session and Pastors. It is the goal of the Pastor to integrate the youth of Jr. and Sr. High ages and young adults into the congregation of First Church. The Pastor will work alongside existing ministries to help better serve the youth of our congregation.

The Pastor will work with the youth of the church to help them understand what profession of faith is and guide them in the process to becoming members of First Church.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Preach on Sunday evenings/mornings around 36 times per year.
• Attend Session meetings and moderate when needed.
• Lead Sr. High Youth Group, including teaching a Catechism Sunday School class and leading a discipleship trip each year.
• Oversee Jr. High Youth Group and Young Adults Group (ages 20-29).
• Lead Youth Task Force and build a strong team of volunteers to help serve the youth in various capacities.
• Develop deep relationships with the youth of First Church and their families.
• Participate in weekly Staff meetings.
• Mentor, shepherd, and counsel Youth, especially by actively work to transition the youth of First Church to professing members of First Church.
• Participate in all Chicago Metro Presbytery meetings and in some General Assemblies.

The man filling this position must be a mature Christian, passionate in his commitment to both Jesus Christ and to His Church. He must be qualified for ordination in the Chicago Metro Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America. This man must be energetic and connect well with youth, and he must be serious about discipleship, especially as a teacher of God's Word. He must be well organized, have the desire to see the ministry of First Church grow and function most effectively and efficiently, and truly take delight in serving in the areas of his giftedness.

The Assistant Pastor of Youth and Young Adults must be a strong "team player", serving as part of the church's ministry staff and working to achieve its goals. He needs to share the Lead Pastor's vision of the congregation and be comfortable with the Lead Pastor's role as leader of the ministry staff and support staff. He will serve under the authority of the Session, the oversight of the Church Leadership Team, and the direct supervision of the Lead Pastor.