Associate Pastor over Institute, Residency, & College Ministry
Job Overview
Status: Full time, salaried
Reports to: Lead Pastor
Salary: $79,000-$92,000 annually
Benefits: Health Reimbursement Account, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, Meals/Education/Books Budget, 403b Retirement Match, Ministerial Housing Allowance, Paid Time Off
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: Character – We are looking for someone who exemplifies the biblical characteristics and qualities of a pastor/elder (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9, and 1 Peter 5:2-8). Education – We strongly prefer someone who has earned a seminary degree (Masters level) from a reputable, evangelical seminary. We would consider someone who has a Bachelor's level degree reflecting training for pastoral ministry from a Bible/Christian college/university. We would consider someone who has ministry experience we consider to have properly equipped them for this role. Experience – We strongly prefer someone who has a minimum of five (5) years of pastoral ministry experience in a local church. Leadership – We are looking for an effective team leader with demonstrated experience in leading and coaching other staff members. Alignment – We are looking for someone who agrees with and will uphold the Grace Road Church's Elders' Affirmation of Faith and who will align with Grace Road's Elders and Pastors on other key issues of orthodoxy and orthopraxy.
About Rochester, NY ... We also want to share a bit about our ministry context and the community we call home.
Our church is located in Rochester, a mid-sized city with a long history of industry and education. Rochester offers many of the resources of a larger metro area—arts, healthcare, and higher education—while remaining accessible and navigable. Within minutes, you can be at Lake Ontario, cruising along the Finger Lakes, walking tree-lined streets, enjoying local restaurants and coffee shops and parks, or attending concerts, festivals, and community events.
Over the past several decades, Rochester has seen significant economic change. We have seen major companies like Eastman Kodak and Xerox decline which has shifted stability for many families. Parts of our area have rebuilt and are flourishing while others face persistent poverty.
The cost of living is relatively affordable, which makes long-term ministry and family life sustainable. Many who come here are able to put down roots.
Winters are long and can require a certain steadiness but spring and summer are especially vibrant. For those who enjoy all four seasons, Rochester truly offers them.
We gather at 440 East Avenue near downtown and draw members from the city and surrounding suburbs. Our congregation represents a wide range of ages, vocations, and life experiences. Our location places us in close proximity to both urban needs and suburban communities, requiring thoughtful, faithful engagement.
Rochester is a place where steady, long-term ministry rooted in Biblical convictions is both needed and possible. We are seeking pastors who are committed to shepherding patiently, preaching faithfully, and loving people well over time, and who sense a call not only to a church, but to this particular place.
Job Description
SUMMARY OF JOB DESCRIPTION: Serving under the leadership of Grace Road Church's Lead Pastor and Elders, the Associate Pastor will oversee the Grace Road Institute, the Pastoral Residency Program, and College Ministry. He will lead and further develop the Grace Road Institute in fulfillment of its mission to provide theological education that strengthens the congregation's biblical literacy and theological proficiency as maturing disciples of Christ. He will lead Grace Road's Pastoral Residency Program in its mission of recruiting, developing, equipping, and sending out pastors to plant churches and revitalize churches in the Rochester area and surrounding region. He will develop and lead Grace Road's outreach and ministry to college students. He will preach, teach, and provide pastoral care as requested by the Lead Pastor and Elders.