Lutheran Congregations on Mission for Christ (LCMC)

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 500-580

Meet Mount of Olives Church

Founded in 1967 as the first church in Mission Viejo, Mount of Olives Church has been a cornerstone of faith, service, and community impact for nearly six decades. With a rich legacy of biblical teaching and Christ-centered ministry, the church has faithfully invested in generations of families while remaining committed to sharing the Gospel locally and globally. In 2014, Mount of Olives aligned with the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), reaffirming its commitment to the authority of Scripture and historic Christian doctrine.

Today, Mount of Olives stands as a vibrant congregation with a strong foundation, significant campus resources, and a reputation for serving both its community and the broader world. The church has pioneered ministries that have shaped Mission Viejo, including establishing the city’s first preschool, creating The ROCK youth center (Middle School and High School), developing the Kid City children’s ministry complex, and hosting its beloved Drive Through Nativity, which has welcomed over 5,000 visitors each Christmas season for more than three decades.

Missions remain at the heart of the church’s identity. Mount of Olives actively serves local families in need, partners in homeless outreach efforts, sends mission teams internationally, and has faithfully supported ministry and orphan care in Namibia for more than 30 years. These ministries reflect a congregation that desires not only to grow spiritually but also to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.

For a pastor with vision, conviction, and a heart for discipleship, Mount of Olives offers a rare opportunity: to shepherd a biblically grounded congregation with a strong legacy, abundant ministry resources, multigenerational reach, and tremendous potential for future growth and Kingdom impact in one of Southern California’s most desirable communities.

Mount of Olives believes its best days are still ahead. The next Senior Pastor will have the opportunity to build upon a strong foundation while helping the congregation reach new generations and expand its impact throughout South Orange County and beyond.

About the Senior Pastor

The Senior Pastor serves as the chief visionary, spiritual leader, and primary shepherd of Mount of Olives Church. This role requires a leader who can deliver intellectually rigorous, biblically grounded sermons while simultaneously managing a large staff team, delegating effectively, and cultivating a culture of trust and collaboration. The congregation relies on the Senior Pastor to cast a clear strategic direction for the church's next chapter and to reach younger families in the area.

The Senior Pastor's responsibilities include:

• Preaching & Teaching: Devote approximately 15 hours a week to sermon preparation, delivering the majority of Sunday messages that are Christ-centered, conversational, and challenging.
• Visionary Leadership: Cast a clear, strategic vision that motivates and aligns ministry action, while avoiding micromanagement.
• Executive Management: Serve as the CEO of a staff-led church, overseeing daily operations, delegating appropriately, and building a healthy, collaborative staff culture.
• Pastoral Care: Demonstrate compassion and personal presence, caring for the sick, and handling conflict directly, biblically, and constructively.
• Evangelism & Growth: Cultivate the conditions for church growth through preaching, worship, and equipping the congregation to share their faith, and lead initiatives to attract the unchurched individuals and families.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Senior Pastor:

Education and Experience

• Must be an ordained LCMC pastor or qualified and willing to be ordained by LCMC.
• A Bachelor's degree and a Master of Divinity degree (or equivalent) from an accredited theological school.
• Proven ability to lead through leaders, building healthy staff teams and ministry structures that support the spiritual growth and mission of the church. 
• Demonstrated experience in growing a church and managing a substantial operating budget.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Compelling Biblical Communicator

• Demonstrates the ability to deliver biblically grounded sermons that combine sound theology with engaging, relevant application, inspiring individuals toward deeper faith and spiritual maturity.

Visionary and Strategic Leader

• Provides clear direction and thoughtful leadership by establishing priorities, maintaining organizational focus, and guiding the congregation through growth and change while honoring its heritage and values.

Emotionally Intelligent Leader

• Exhibits strong interpersonal awareness through active listening, humility, empathy, and the ability to engage diverse perspectives with wisdom and grace.

Courageous Decision-Maker and Peacemaker

• Addresses challenges and conflict with honesty, discernment, and compassion, fostering unity while making difficult decisions when necessary.

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

Person of Exemplary Integrity

• Models Christ-centered character through honesty, humility, consistency, and accountability, earning the trust and respect of staff, volunteers, and congregants alike. To be above reproach. 

Relational and Approachable Shepherd

• Demonstrates a genuine pastoral presence, building meaningful relationships through warmth, accessibility, and sincere care for individuals and families across all generations.

Empowering and Servant-Oriented Leader

• Cultivates a culture of shared ministry by developing others, delegating responsibility effectively, and leading with humility rather than control or self-interest.

Doctrinally Aligned and Convictional

• Affirms and supports Mount of Olives’ theological convictions, including its teachings regarding marriage, human sexuality, the historic Creeds, baptism, and eschatological beliefs.

Congregation Culture 

• Mount of Olives seeks a pastor who embraces both the calling of shepherd and leader. While capable of providing strategic direction and organizational oversight, the congregation highly values personal authenticity, relational ministry, biblical discipleship, and a genuine love for God's people. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable preaching from the pulpit, praying with a grieving family, mentoring emerging leaders, and casting vision for the future of the church 

What it's like to live in Mission Viejo, CA

Mission Viejo is one of Southern California’s most desirable communities, offering an exceptional quality of life for pastors and their families. As a thoughtfully planned city in the heart of South Orange County, Mission Viejo combines safe neighborhoods, top-rated schools, beautiful parks, and a strong sense of community, making it an ideal place to live, serve, and raise a family.

The city is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, excellent educational opportunities, and abundant recreational amenities. Residents enjoy access to Lake Mission Viejo, a private lake that serves as a gathering place for boating, swimming, summer concerts, and community events throughout the year. The community is also home to an award-winning public library, Saddleback College, Providence Mission Hospital, premier shopping and dining destinations, and extensive sports and fitness facilities.

Nestled among the rolling hills of South Orange County, Mission Viejo offers the best of Southern California living. World-renowned coastal communities such as Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente are just minutes away, providing easy access to beautiful beaches, outdoor recreation, and a vibrant coastal culture.

Beyond its amenities, Mission Viejo is a community filled with families, professionals, retirees, and young adults seeking connection, purpose, and spiritual growth. It presents a meaningful opportunity for a pastor who desires to make a lasting impact while leading a healthy and balanced family life. For the right leader, Mission Viejo offers not only a place to serve, but a place to belong, invest, and flourish for years to come.