Church Staffing
Interim Executive Minister
Meetinghouse Church - Edina, MN
Meetinghouse Church has recently begun a search for an Interim Executive Minister. Meetinghouse is a vibrant, independent Congregational community that covenants together to follow Jesus and care for our neighbors.
Collaborating with our Senior Minister and staff, the Interim Executive Minister will provide pastoral leadership for our church (including occasional preaching) in three primary ways: 1. strategically direct and align the staff, ministries and programs, 2. oversee operations and administrative affairs and 3. provide pastoral leadership for our Alternative Service and Emerging Generations ministries. The ideal candidate will be capable of ramping up quickly to understand our challenges and context and provide strategic focus and direction, while overseeing planning for church ministries (especially the Alternative Service and Emerging Generations) and operations. They will be adept at supervising and coaching staff. The successful candidate will desire to be actively involved in the operations, programs and ministries of the church, including worship planning and delivery. The ability to provide ministerial perspective and oversight of operational systems and key functions, including Human Resources, Finance, and Communications, will be essential.
We imagine that this will entail up to a one year commitment of helping to guide Meetinghouse Church toward our preferred future.
Key Requirements
- Significant (3-5 years) experience as a senior or executive minister managing multiple leaders and church functions, and a sizable staff (at least 10) and congregation (200-500)
- Master of Divinity or related degree from an accredited seminary or theological school
- Ordained or ordainable
- Effective communication skills—listening, speaking, writing, preaching
- Ability to endorse the Meetinghouse Church covenant and doctrinal statement and work within the Congregational governance framework (a free-standing body guided by the Holy Spirit and bound by a Covenant with the Lord and with one another)
- A heart for emerging generations
While located in Edina, a southwest suburb of Minneapolis, our members come from different areas of the Twin Cities and a variety of denominational and theological backgrounds. We seek to serve our wider community, including the inner city and engage missionally around the world. Our congregation is engaged and willing to grapple with complex issues and diverse perspectives. At our center beats a loving and compassionate heart that welcomes people at all stages of their walk with the Lord. We hope to secure an Interim Executive Minister who can embrace and live our Core Values: Welcome, Beloved | Risk the Messy Path of Faith |Wrestle with the Tensions in God’s Word and World | Immerse in Sacred Spaces and Rhythms | and Do Good for Christ’s Sake.
Senior Minister
Winnetka Congregational Church - Winnetka, IL
This 150-year-old, 400-member community church built on United Church of Christ & Presbyterian USA precepts. In 2016 and affirmed in 2023, our church leaders adopted four “threads'' that have guided our work as a congregation: Environmental Advocacy, Interfaith Solidarity, LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Racial & Social Justice. In 2023 the church engaged Convergence for strategic planning and launched a new 2030 Vision. This is a full-time position and includes competitive salary, full benefits & relocation costs. The chosen candidate must have residence in the area.
Ideal Candidate for the position would include the following credentials:
Education: Master’s Level Degree from an accredited Seminary or Theological School.
Ordination: Ordained and in good standing with a recognized Denomination. Must be willing to undergo and pass a background check.
Experience / Skills:
- Has eight or more years of pastoral experience in a multi-staff church.
- An effective and inspiring preacher, communicator, and public speaker.
- A collaborative leader who can activate the church’s larger vision.
- An experienced staff and volunteer supervisor.
- Able to work effectively with church leaders to develop the church’s programs and ministries. Particularly, in advancing effective programs for children and youth.
- Aware of the technological and spiritual challenges of leading a hybrid church.
- Able to develop an effective plan for pastoral care to meet the needs of the congregation.
- Experience leading a traditional worship service, though able to be creative and adaptive within that setting.
- Willingness and ability to cultivate prospective new members.
- Able to build on the heritage of the church and its place in the greater community.
Personal Characteristics:
- Open and accepting of people of divergent views. But who is clearly inclusive of all people regardless of sex, age, disability, race, and gender identity.
- Is a person of authentic and contagious faith.
- Is a person of character and integrity.
- Has a strong work ethic and is a self-starter.
To Apply:
Submit a letter of interest, up-to-date resume, three references and links to sermons to: Rev. Gregg Carlson, Senior Consultant at Convergence. A church profile will be sent to applicants upon receipt of their documents.
At Convergence, we believe excellent leadership is the key to congregational vitality. That is why we started Church Staffing Solutions with a team of talent management specialists to help your congregation find outstanding staff. We work collaboratively with your denominational office to identify candidates who would be a good fit for your congregation. We also work with pastors to find good congregations for future placement. Then we work with both of you to design a hiring and onboarding process that leads to a smooth, seamless transition.
We will be your partner to:
- Create a church profile that attracts the best leaders out there
- Craft a job description designed for today’s changing ministry needs and landscape
- Widen the scope of your search across denominational lines and beyond traditional ministry candidates
- Evaluate your candidates and deliver a manageable pool of the best for your search team to interview
- Discern the interview questions that will clarify your candidate's strengths and challenges
- Write a contract that is competitive, savvy, and fits your needs
- Coach the newly called pastor through the transition and new team building process
