Position: Interim Pastor
Listed on 2026-01-14
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Education / Teaching
Pastoral Support/ Care & Wellbeing, Youth Development, Pastor / Ministry / Church -
Non-Profit & Social Impact
Pastoral Support/ Care & Wellbeing, Youth Development, Pastor / Ministry / Church, Non-Profit / Outreach
Interim Pastor Opportunity – First Lutheran Church, Ottumwa, Iowa
First Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, Iowa, is seeking a skilled Interim Pastor for an undetermined period.
We are nearing the conclusion of a two-year Intentional Interim period, which began in the wake of a decline and some internal conflict. Over the past two years, we have addressed many leadership, legal, financial, and facility challenges. While some work remains, we have made meaningful progress.
During this journey, we discerned a clear call to affiliate with the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) while maintaining our membership in the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). With courage and faith, we have chosen a path of Covenanted Redevelopment, and our Call Committee is now actively working with the NALC to identify a long-term Redevelopment Pastor.
We recognize that conflict is part of life and ministry, but we now strive to approach disagreements in a Biblical and Spirit-filled way. We know the work is an ongoing process that is not finished.
As our current Intentional Interim Pastor concludes his contract on June 30, we are actively seeking a new Interim Pastor who brings specific strengths to help us through this next period.
Desired Skills & Qualifications:
Pastoral Care & Worship Leadership: All standard pastoral responsibilities, including preaching, teaching, administering sacraments, visitation, weddings, and funerals. We hold one weekly Sunday worship service at 9:30 am with approximately 50 in attendance and one midweek chapel service at 11:15 am with approximately 5 to 9 in attendance.
Governance Expertise: In 2025, we suspended our existing by-laws to redraft all governing documents. We seek an Interim Pastor with experience and competence in developing congregational structures, especially within a hybrid NALC/LCMC context.
Dual Roster Preferred: Ideally, the candidate is dual rostered in both the NALC and LCMC. At a minimum, they must be rostered in one and respectfully supportive of the other.
For more information or to express interest, please contact us @
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