Pastoral Resident (2026-2028)

First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville is seeking applicants for a Pastoral Resident. This two-year residency (2026-2028) provides recent seminary graduates (M.Div.) with broad experience in pastoral ministry, with a particular emphasis on Christian education. The Resident will share in leading worship, preaching, teaching across all ages, engaging in mission and outreach, and offering congregational care, while also benefiting from intentional mentoring, reflection, and vocational discernment through a structured learning program. The full job description is available here.

Pastoral Residency at First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville

General Position Description
● Length of residency: Two‐year pastoral residency (2026 – 2028)
● Education requirements: Recent seminary graduate (M.Div. degree) on track for ordination
● Theological: Reformed tradition
● Primary focus: Pastoral responsibilities for a large, suburban congregation, with a focus on Christian education

Description of First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville
First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville is a large congregation located in the northern Chicago suburbs. We are
located a five‐minutes’ walk away from a charming, historic main street that offers a variety of restaurants, shops,
and services, as well as a beautiful park that hosts picnics, fairs, concerts, and other gatherings throughout the year.
The nearby Metra train station provides access directly to downtown Chicago. In the immediate area, there are a
wide range of bike paths, parks, forest preserves, and performing arts organizations.

First Pres is a dedicated and welcoming community that has inspired service, vocations, and spiritual growth among
families and individuals of every age and every station in life for over 150 years. We are a Presbyterian Church (USA)
“Matthew 25 congregation” focusing on all three initiatives of building congregational vitality, dismantling structural
racism, and eradicating systemic poverty. In order to best support our efforts in dismantling structural racism, we
established our Committee on Anti‐Racism and Equity (CARE), which provides education and partnership
opportunities both within our congregation and in the larger community. We work for Christian unity and we grow in
love with one another. We believe that a church is called to inspire by word and deed through its common life and
the life of its members. Ours is a community with a strong calling for mission outreach, Christian education, and
worship through music.

We have two 10 a.m. services – a traditional service in the Sanctuary and a contemporary service in the Chapel. We
currently live stream our worship services for people who wish to join us in worship remotely. We celebrate in
worship with a vibrant music program, from our numerous children’s and adult choirs, the Chapel Music team,
multiple handbell choirs, pipe organ, and major work services performed by our Chancel Choir.

Scope of Ministry
Although this residency will involve a particular emphasis on Christian education, the Resident will participate in
leading worship (including preaching), support community engagement as well as congregational care, and play a
role in church governance. Intentional time for reflection and study on the practice of ministry is part of the
residency.

Regular areas of ministry
Church Governance
● Attend relevant staff and committee meetings
● Attend meetings of the Session and Board of Deacons as schedule allows

Christian Education
● Collaborate with the Head Pastor, church staff, and Associate Pastor in developing and administering our
Christian education programs
● Design and prepare necessary materials and resources for our learning ministry each week
● Collaborate in directing Junior and Senior High Fellowship groups
● Collaborate with the Associate Pastor for leadership with confirmation classes, retreats, and mission trips
● Assist the Associate Pastor in planning for various forms of Adult Christian Education
● Prepare and support an array of intergenerational Christian education opportunities throughout the year
● Provide support for families in continuing Christian education at home
● Attend Christian Education committee meetings, as well as all Christian Education staff planning
meetings throughout the month

Worship
● Attend requisite staff and committee meetings in planning worship
● Lead worship, and take part in opportunities to preach at least quarterly at First Pres and occasionally
in other worship settings and communities
● Lead and equip members for leadership with children in their experience of worship on Sunday mornings

Occasional Avenues of Leadership and Involvement
 

Community Engagement
● Assist the development of our Dismantle Structural Racism and Eradicate Systemic Poverty initiatives as part
of our work as a Matthew 25 congregation. Partner with CARE, Mission Committee, and Community
Outreach of the Board of Deacons
● Participate in strengthening our ties with Mosaic Ministries of Waukegan/North Chicago
● Support ministries engaged with our partner churches in Chicago, Cuba, and Italy

Congregational Care
● Aid our Senior Ministries of the Board of Deacons for visitation and worship in retirement communities.
● Creatively strengthen bonds of friendship among various ministries of the Board of Deacons and the
Congregational Care and Evangelism Committee

General Administration
● On occasion work with the Business Affairs, Long Range Planning, Nominating, Stewardship and other
Committees, Work Groups and Task Forces to support church planning and general governance
● Be a participant observer in occasional planning groups of paid and volunteer staff

Description of the Residency Learning Development Program
At the start of the residency, the Pastor/Head of Staff will work with the Resident and the learning team of the
Pastoral Residency to design a meaningful plan of learning and reflection to accompany the practice of ministry. The
learning team will be comprised of the Pastor/Head of Staff, Associate Pastors and, as adjunct guide, a Pastoral
Mentor. The Pastor/Head of Staff serves as coordinator of the residency. (As opportunity arises, the coordinator of
the residency participates in an online cohort of Pastoral Resident coordinators.) The Pastoral Mentor is a seasoned
minister, selected by the resident and the coordinator, who is either actively in ministry outside of First Pres or is
retired from a successful ministry.

A combination of monthly reflective conversations as well as a structured monthly engagement in various fields of ministry will
be accomplished using theological inquiry and practical discernment for ministry. The monthly reflective conversations
will include the Pastoral Resident along with a respondent and a participant observer from the learning team. (As
opportunity arises, monthly reflective conversation will occur as part of an online cohort of Pastoral Residents.) The
structured monthly engagement in various fields of ministry will provide a breadth of exposure to and leadership in
a wide spectrum of practice in ministry for the Pastoral Resident. (Other members of the staff will coordinate with a
guide from the learning team to provide practical discernment and spiritual reflection in each field of ministry.)
The Pastoral Mentor (a seasoned pastor working as adjunct guide on the learning team of First Pres) will meet 8 times
a year as an outside comparative sounding board for the Pastoral Resident about the practice of ministry. In addition
upon arrival, the resident will be offered a list of spiritual directors and a monthly stipend to provide regular space for
discernment and deepened personal examination of vocation.

Application requirements:
● Cover letter
● Completed application form: https://forms.gle/7CqZnnGYDtJgcoe1A

Submission and Contact Information
● Submit to PastoralResidentFPCL@gmail.com by February 20, 2026