Presbyterian – PCUSA

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 125

Meet First Presbyterian Church

Meet First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson City — a vibrant and welcoming congregation with deep roots in both faith and community. Founded in 1834, this historic church blends a rich Presbyterian heritage with a forward-looking spirit. Worship is central to its life together, offering a mix of traditional and contemporary services that invite people of all ages to encounter God’s grace in meaningful ways. The congregation values thoughtful preaching, beautiful music, and opportunities for spiritual formation that nurture hearts and minds alike.

Beyond worship, First Presbyterian lives out its calling through active service and mission. Through theFood 4 Kids summer program, the Tuesday food pantry, Salvation Army, Transformational Housing, Habitat for Humanity, and the Social Justice Ministry Team, members put their faith into action with compassion and purpose. The church is known for being a place where belonging, learning, and outreach intersect — a community where everyone is invited to come as they are, grow in faith, and join in God’s work of love and renewal in Jefferson City and beyond.

First Presbyterian mission continues globally with mission trips and financial support in Malawi, Peru, Nepal, and Ukraine where wells have been dug, hospitals and schools have been built and children receive scholarships for education.

About the Senior Pastor

First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson City seeks a Senior Pastor who embodies true servant leadership—someone who leads the congregation toward growth and change with humility, grace, and a deep love for God’s people. This pastor will be grounded in Scripture and able to make its truth relevant to daily life, bringing energy, passion, and a collaborative spirit to both worship and mission. As an active member of the downtown ecumenical community, the pastor will engage with local needs such as homelessness and continue the church’s strong tradition of service through ministries like the Sunday night outreach. With a heart for both local and international missions, the ideal candidate will inspire others, build up the staff, and lead with compassion, integrity, and vision.

The Senior Pastor’s responsibilities include:

• Preach Sunday worship services at 9:30 AM
• Preach Sunday evening worship services 2-3 times a month 5 PM
• Moderate the Session meetings.
• Preach the Word & follow the Word; then help us learn how to live the Word in our lives
• Provide counseling, staff oversight
• Visit members at home, in hospitals, and in nursing care
• Empower church leaders to continue leading and support them in their callings

What you bring

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

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree from an accredited seminary

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 3-5 years of experience
• Will work well within the structure of the Presbytery; support and encourage the General Presbyter

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• He/she will join with us, be a part of us, working collegially with us, be willing to learn about us, and will want to see us all working together.
• He/she will have a healthy self confidence balanced with humility that allows him/her to celebrate diversity of opinion as one of the church’s strengths.
• He/she will exemplify Unity and Peace.
• He/she is willing to maintain community and allow differences.
• He/she understands the importance of connecting to youth and young families and can help us appeal to a demographic that represents the future.
• He/she is willing to lead and help the congregation to accept and manage change.

What it’s like to live in Jefferson City, MO 

Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri, is a charming and centrally located community right in the heart of the state. It’s just a few hours from St. Louis, Kansas City, and Branson, with Columbia—home of the Missouri Tigers—only 30 minutes away, and the Lake of the Ozarks about an hour’s drive. The city offers a wonderful balance of accessibility and small-town comfort, with excellent schools, beautiful parks, and a network of scenic trails for walking, biking, and exploring the outdoors.

Home to Lincoln University, Jefferson City enjoys a rich sense of history and culture along with a growing diversity. The community is known for being safe, family-friendly, and easy-going, with a welcoming spirit that makes it easy to feel at home. From local sports and recreation to vibrant civic life, Jefferson City offers residents a connected and fulfilling place to live—close enough to Missouri’s major attractions, yet peaceful enough to enjoy everyday life at a comfortable pace.