Pastor - California UCC & Salem UCC; California, MO

Job Opportunity:
Pastor at California UCC & Salem UCC

California UCC & Salem UCC (California, MO) are seeking a full-time Pastor. Our church family is prayerfully seeking a Pastor who will lead us with humility, love, and a deep commitment to God's Word. We are close-knit congregations in rural central Missouri, rooted in the Evangelical tradition of the United Church of Christ. Our worship is traditional, our people are genuine, and we desire to continue growing together in Christ while welcoming new faces into our church family.

Average attendance at California is 150 and at Salem it is 30.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver biblically grounded, practical, and inspiring sermons.
• Cultivate authentic relationships across generations.
• Address the spiritual needs of youth and young families, encouraging their participation in church life.
• Guide our congregations in spiritual development and community outreach.
• Provide ministerial services to the sick, home-bound and those in long-term care.
• Provide spiritual care to members with special needs such as family problems, dealing with grief, etc.
• Conduct and officiate weddings, funeral services, infant and adult baptisms, and communion.
• Teach confirmation classes for our 8th graders.
• Attend as often as convenient organizations such as Men's Brotherhood, Prayer Cell and Women's Guild.
• Provide support to our Sunday School and other Christian education programs.

Qualifications:

• Faith: A strong personal faith and commitment to Jesus Christ.
• Experience:
  
  Previous experience in preaching and pastoral ministry is preferred.
• Education:
  
  A seminary degree is preferred, although other pastoral or biblical training will be considered.
• Personality:
  Approachable, relational, and community-minded with an ability to connect with diverse groups.

Our Community and Facilities:

Our church campus features a 100-year-old sanctuary, an educational wing with classrooms and office spaces, a gymnasium, and modern kitchen facilities. We have an active Senior and Youth Choir, a Bell Choir, and Middle & High School youth groups along with Sunday School classes for all ages. We participate in the local Ministerial Alliance and coordinate with them helping people in need, services at a local nursing home and several ecumenical community worship services.

Our governance structure is managed by a consistory (church council) elected by the congregation with committees under them. They are responsible for many of the administrative responsibilities, leaving the pastor free to concentrate on spiritual leadership, worship and ministering. We have a full-time office manager. Salem U.C.C. established in 1848 and sets on about 20 acres including the cemetery. The church sanctuary is about 100 years old, renovation of basement 2020, fellowship hall completed in 2017, shelter house / picnic area completed about 1990.

Annual events include Ice Cream Social and Shrimp Supper. Governed by its own consistory and administered by volunteer members.

Benefits:

This is an opportunity to serve in a warm, supportive small-town environment in rural central Missouri and still be near the state capitol in Jefferson City and well as Columbia, the home of the University of Missouri and location of great health care resources. Our competitive salary and benefits package is somewhat negotiable but within a salary range of $67,000 - $72,000.

It additionally includes paid health insurance and a ten percent contribution to a retirement plan as well as three weeks of annual vacation. Most important, this position offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of our members and the broader community.

The Process:

Please look over this job description and the church website. Along with your resume please answer these questions:
Why do you believe that you might be a good fit as the Pastor at these two churches? Describe your experiences in ministry and how you may be qualified to serve as the Pastor of these two churches? In just a few sentences please give a summary of your theology and how that is in line with the doctrine of these two churches.

Please send your resume, the answers to these questions and a link to at least one online sermon to