Senior Pastor: First Presbyterian Church Jacksonville, FL

General Information

Job Title:

Senior Pastor: First Presbyterian Church Jacksonville, FL

Job Description:

We seek a pastor who loves Jesus deeply, teaches Scripture faithfully, and shepherds God's people with humility, compassion, and clarity. This leader will help us grow spiritually, navigate change with grace, and engage our downtown community with purpose.

Job Responsibilities

• Preaching & Worship Leadership
  • Prepare and deliver biblically grounded, thoughtful sermons.
  • Lead and coordinate weekly worship services and special services (Advent, Lent, funerals, weddings, etc.).
  • Collaborate with worship staff and volunteers to shape meaningful, Christ‑centered worship.

• Pastoral Care
  • Provide compassionate care to members through visits, counseling, prayer, and presence.
  • Support individuals and families during crises, illness, grief, and major life events.
  • Foster a culture of grace, reconciliation, and forward movement.
  • Help the church navigate change with wisdom, patience, and pastoral sensitivity.
  • Promote practices that strengthen community, belonging, and shared purpose

• Leadership & Vision
  • Guide the congregation in discerning and pursuing God's vision for the church.
  • Lead with humility, collaboration, and openness to feedback and constructive criticism.
  • Work with Session, committees, and staff to set priorities and support healthy governance.

• Administration & Staff Oversight
  • Supervise and support church staff with clarity, encouragement, and accountability.
  • Participate in budgeting, planning, and operational decision‑making.

Essential Attributes

• Caring and empathetic
• Strong pastoral care and shepherding instincts
• Gifted preacher who communicates biblical truth with clarity, depth, and relevance
• Collaborative leader who:
  • Navigates seasons of change with steadiness
  • Leads with transparency
  • Listens deeply
  • Acts with intention and purpose
• Humble in character and grounded in prayer
• Culturally aware, able to meet people where they are while moving them forward

Additional Strengths

• Rooted in Scripture and Reformed theology
• Thoughtful, well‑prepared, expository preaching
• Compassionate presence in times of need
• Ability to connect with youth, families, and retirees
• Mission‑focused and community‑minded
• Comfortable with technology and communication tools
• Financially and organizationally aware
• Appreciation for music in worship

Position Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Divinity, Theology or Biblical Studies from an accredited seminary
• 5 years experience working as a Senior or Associate Pastor, or in Ministry
• Agreement with ECO Essential Tenets and Polity
• Ordination in ECO denomination or meet the requirements to be ordained in ECO denomination

Application Deadline

05/31/2026

Job Type:

Full Time

Salary Range:

$90k+

General Information

Church/Organization Name

First Presbyterian Church Jacksonville, FL

Contact Name & Contact Info

Industry

Church

Denomination

Presbyterian - Other

City, State

Jacksonville, FL

Description of Organization

First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville is a warm, welcoming, and mission‑minded congregation located in the heart of downtown. Our identity is shaped by thoughtful worship, a desire to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, and hospitality. Located in downtown Jacksonville, FL, at the corner of Ocean and Monroe streets, First Presbyterian Church was established in 1847. Our wooden sanctuary was destroyed in the Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901, then rebuilt in 1902, remodeled in 1928, and continues to serve as our primary worship space. Today, the FPC campus spans three‑quarters of a city block and includes the Sanctuary (1902), the Covenant Building (1924), the Williams Building (1961), Towers Chapel (1971), and a gas station/parking lot (2000). These facilities are historically significant and deeply valued, though many now require substantial deferred maintenance. First Presbyterian left the PCUSA and joined the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) in 2013.

The church operates with an annual budget of $325,000 and maintains a professionally managed endowment. Like many congregations, we have experienced declines in membership and giving following COVID‑19. While our urban location presents challenges, we are encouraged by the ongoing revitalization of downtown Jacksonville, which has seen more than $200 million in completed projects and an estimated $2 billion currently under construction.

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