Our Church and History
Founded in 1887, the First Congregational Church of Western Springs is a vibrant and thriving congregation, welcoming all people as children of God. Our members come from many traditions which allows us to learn from one another and grow in our own Christian faith in an atmosphere of love and respect. Our Church seeks to be a faithful people, to introduce our children to a loving Jesus, and to live out our faith in Christian mission and service.
We are an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation and welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions to join with us in our worship, mission and service.
Our growing congregation is comprised of approximately 1,250 members and 415 pledging households. Our two-building campus in historical “Old Town” Western Springs includes an inspirational sanctuary and an education building, which houses the First Congo Preschool, staff offices, and rooms used for classes, meetings, fellowship and community activities.
The Community of Western Springs
The community of Western Springs is an exceptional place to call home. Located 18 miles west of Chicago along the BNSF Metra train line, Western Springs is home to nearly 15,000 residents and is a picturesque mix of historic landmarks, beautiful parks and modern eateries. Due in part to its low crime rates and award-winning schools, Western Springs has been named as one of the best places to raise children and one of the safest cities in Illinois.
Position Overview
We are seeking an Associate Pastor or Youth Director who is an energetic, personable and compassionate individual to lead a vibrant and inclusive ministry program for youth with specific focus on youth in grades 6-12. The ideal candidate will continue to lead established programs, while developing new activities to ensure the needs of youth in our church family are met. To be successful in this role, the individual must be committed to building relationships and working collaboratively with the other pastors, church staff, mission partners, community organizations and volunteers to foster and lead an engaging and spiritually nurturing program. The position requires flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and the schedule and workload may vary at different times of the year. The Pastor/Director is expected to work on Sundays, as well as other times agreed upon by the senior pastoral staff.
- This is a full-time, salaried position.
- Director of Youth Ministry Position: $52,000-$65,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications, including paid time off according to our policy.
- Associate Pastor Position: $75,000-$90,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications, including health insurance and retirement options and paid time off according to our policy.
Key Responsibilities
Faith Formation & Leadership:
- Plan gatherings that foster faith, fellowship and fun. Examples of such gatherings include weekly Youth Group meetings, retreats, community service and volunteer opportunities, mission trips, inter-generational activities with other church members, and other faith-forming activities. *Most high school gatherings are co-planned with youth leadership.
- Develop intentional strategies to welcome all young people, helping them feel connected and integrated into the church community.
- Coordinate the Confirmation program in collaboration with senior pastoral staff.
- Manage logistics for all events, including scheduling, transportation, and materials.
- Collaborate with church communications staff to promote youth activities.
- Track attendance and feedback to evaluate and improve programming.
- Manage and adhere to a designated youth ministry budget.
- Work with pastoral and operations staff to ensure compliance with safety protocols and procedures consistent with the Safe Church policy.
Youth Care, Connection, & Support:
- Build strong, supportive relationships with youth and their families.
- Provide spiritual support, mentoring, and referrals as needed.
- Serve as a role model of Christian living and inclusivity.
- Embody our Covenant as an Open and Affirming Church, contributing to and further enriching a culture of inclusion and acceptance of all.
Volunteer Coordination:
- Identify and cultivate youth leaders and provide opportunities for their growth.
- Recruit, train, and support adult volunteers.
- Ensure volunteers are prepared and compliant with safety protocols and church policy.
Collaboration & Integration into the Church Community:
- Collaborate with pastoral staff to align youth ministry with overall church vision.
- Coordinate with other church ministries and programs to support intergenerational connections.
- Participate in church-wide events, worship, and initiatives.
- Attend staff meetings and contribute to planning and visioning efforts.
- Pursue continuing education opportunities in youth ministry and leadership development.
- Serve as staff liaison to the Youth Ministries Committee
Other Pastoral Responsibilities (Associate Pastor applicants only):
- Participate in worship leadership, including preaching and serving as liturgist.
- Lead and refine Confirmation teaching in partnership with pastoral staff.
- Provide pastoral care to youth and families.
- Lead the congregation in the observance of sacraments in accordance with denominational doctrine and church tradition.
- Support additional church needs as assigned by senior pastoral staff.
Minimum Qualifications
Faith Commitment
A personal faith that aligns with the beliefs and practices of the United Church of Christ (UCC) or a similar denomination as recognized by the UCC.
Education
- Director of Youth Ministry Position: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- Associate Pastor Position: Master of Divinity or higher from an accredited seminary; ordained in the UCC or reciprocal denomination as recognized by the UCC.
Experience
- Minimum of 3 years working with youth in a ministry, education, or community setting.
- Demonstrated ability to create inclusive, engaging, and impactful programming.
- Proven ability to engage youth in meaningful, positive ways that promote personal growth, relationship-building, and spiritual development.
- Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport with youth, families, and volunteers.
- Prior leadership of teams or volunteers preferred.
Desirable Attributes
- The ability to incorporate Christian values and teachings into youth programming in accessible and engaging ways.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to allocate resources, manage logistics, and adhere to established budgets.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to convey information clearly and professionally.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and basic tech tools.
- Commitment to continuing education and personal spiritual growth.
- Must pass a background check and adhere to the church’s youth safety policies and guidelines.
- Reliable transportation required.
For additional information or to candidate for the role, please send your cover letter and resume to:
The First Congregational Church of Western Springs is an equal opportunity employer.
1106 Chestnut Street, Western Springs, IL 60558