Pastor – Goshen – Indiana

Date Posted: December 11, 2025

Organization: First Presbyterian Church Goshen

Job Type: part time

Position Type: Installed Pastor

Presbytery: Wabash Valley Presbytery

Salary: $35,000.00

Organization Website: https://www.fpcgoshen.com

Community Type: Small Town

Certification/Specialized Training Requirements: N/A

Position Details:

We know it will take a team effort to support our expectation of growth for our congregation. We are looking for someone to consistently fill the pulpit, celebrate the Sacraments, moderate Session, and act as Head of Staff. Our pastor should be available to support our current adult and youth programming, grow relationships through Sunday morning fellowship and community outreach, and act as a liaison for the other churches that currently share our building as time allows. We are looking for someone to shepherd our committees, foster inter-congregational communications, and write articles for our newsletter. Other duties will include officiating marriages and funerals, providing emergent pastoral care in collaboration with the deacons, and giving clergy support as needed. We understand that to sustain and grow the membership of our church, we will work in tandem with our pastor on our current programs. Together we will work to build community relationships to support new outreach initiatives. Our congregation is willing to support our pastor in whatever ways are necessary.

It is important that our leader speak with the skill and ability to challenge and teach from the pulpit relating life experiences as tools for teaching and engagement. Listening with discernment, bridging intergenerational gaps, and one-on-one connecting are vital skills to the life of the church.

We are a joy filled congregation, looking for someone who enjoys smiling and has a sense of humor. Someone who is respectful of differences, calm under pressure, compassionate, perceptive in seeing needs of the congregants, and an individual with an open mind in the sense of being able to recognize who we have been and where we want to go.

Preferably our pastor would be well trained in the Reformed tradition, have a solid understanding of the Book of Order, and have strong organizational and leadership abilities.

We recognize that good leadership is more effective with a solid network of support and encouragement to assist in the work and vision of the faith community. We are dedicated to maintaining a well-trained and committed staff that are proficient and knowledgeable in their positions.

The Session meets once per month, leading with purpose and attention. As a part of Session, we have a robust array of eight committees that are active and engaged. The Deacons meet regularly and assist with pastoral care.

We are a resilient congregation and have worked prayerfully and diligently to understand and support our relationships with one another. As a caring congregation opening our door to others is an important way for us to step out, tending to the needs wherever God leads us to do so.

Our staff, session, deacons, committees, and congregation need someone who will shepherd us forward by continuing to strengthen our inter-congregational communication and guide us as we unite to serve one another and our community neighbors.

First Presbyterian Church Goshen has been in existence since 1850. Our sanctuary has amazing acoustics and a historic, unique, pipe organ. As one of the oldest congregations in our community, we are recognized for our magnificent building – especially our steeple. Goshen has a population that includes Hispanic, African American, Indian, and Asian individuals. Goshen is in Elkhart County, which is the Recreational Vehicle capital of the world. Because of this industry, we have a large blue-collar population. Our county is also agricultural which brings us transient workers.

Juxtaposed against these industries are both Goshen College, a small, liberal arts institution and Greencroft, an active, large, and thriving retirement community. Both influential entities are Mennonite, and this brings an interesting balance to Goshen.

As our building is a known location in the city, several years ago we agreed to become a voting center. For nearly 25 years, we have organized an annual Christmas Day dinner, which feeds anywhere from 300-500 people on Christmas Day. Our food pantry is well- supported by the congregation and used by many in need. We have hosted other churches looking for a place to meet and grow. We use these experiences to develop our ecumenical relationships with others. Everyone has different spiritual needs; we know that we can share the love of Jesus with whomever walks through our door whether it is for voting, food, or worship. Our building has great potential, and our congregation is open to new ideas and uses to expand our imprint and influence in our neighborhood and our city.

Our congregation has a vision for ministry that is guided by our values of inclusive community, evolving faith, collaborative thinking, and being sustainably focused. We are an active and engaged group of parishioners who seek to build on the community of faith, hope, love, and witness in the Foundations of the Book of Order. We have been and continue to be a relational church – with several of our members going back generations. Our enduring connection and history give us a strong desire to share our blessings with others, and we seek to be a church that is welcoming to all people.

As a Matthew 25 congregation, we are committed to using our facilities, abilities, time, and energy to create a ministry vision that works with and provides for those in need. We know that the church is called to be the Body of Christ and we want to live out the fruits of the Spirit to bring the heart of Jesus to everyone.

Address: 215 E. Lincoln Avenue, Goshen, Indiana 46526, US

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Id_tTWnmyA