Associate Pastor

Associate Pastor Search

SEEKING: Part-time Associate Pastor or Student/Associate Pastor to join the ministry team at Crums Church, in Berryville, VA.

We are looking for a dynamic and creative team player who is sincerely dedicated to serving Jesus. If you have a passion for inviting others to follow Jesus, especially in the context of welcoming new attendees, Youth and Children ministry and visitation, we want to hear from you. There may also be opportunities for preaching. This part-time position (20 hours/week) has the potential to grow into a full-time position. It may be suitable for a seminary student who is currently enrolled in a Master of Divinity degree who desires to work part-time while attending school.

Compensation package may include health care, retirement contributions and use of the parsonage.

Qualifications:

·       Possess and live a mature faith in Jesus Christ, with a Wesleyan or Methodist theology.

·       Affirm the bylaws of Crums Church.

·       Have, or be working on a Master of Divinity degree at an accredited school but will consider other equivalent education/experience.

·       Pastoral care experience and demonstrated ability to relate to a multi-generational church.

·       Must pass background check and substance screening.

Duties:

·       Coordinate the Caring Ministries team to ensure people receive regular and appropriate contact from the Crums Church team, to include hospital and home contacts.

·       Support and participate on the Welcoming Committee, which covers evangelism and advertising through when people join the church. This committee advertises church events (including traditional and social media), welcomes visitors, helps build awareness of opportunities within Crums, helps people connect with others at Crums, helps people get involved in the life of Crums and supports New Member classes. 

·       Support the Christian Education ministry – be a resource and support for Sunday School teachers and Youth Director. 

·       Encourage and support outreach and mission efforts.

·       Support the Senior Pastor as required.

·       Be a presence in the community, representing Crums Church at local civic events.

·       Attend committee meetings as coordinated with the lead pastor. Attend the Church Council each month and other committees as interests and schedules coincide.

·       Office hours as coordinated with the senior pastor.

If interested, send your resume, a one-page theological statement as to your Christian faith, and a link to one or two sermons, if available, to: Employment.Crums@gmail.com, or post this information to this site.

For more information about us, please consult our website at crumschurch.com.

Things we want to know about you in writing separately:

1.      Your theology or denominational background. In a brief summary, what do you believe? What do you teach about the Christian faith? What is the Bible? How would you describe yourself? Conservative/progressive? Orthodox/universalist? In addition:

a.      How familiar are you with John Wesley and Methodism? What are your thoughts about scriptural holiness or moving to perfection? 

b.      Who can receive communion? 

c.      Would you marry a same sex couple? 

d.      Will you baptize infants? 

e.      What is your position on women as pastors? 

2.      Your education? Where have you studied and what degrees or programs have you completed?

3.      What is your style of preaching?  How do you decide what to preach?

4.      Where are you best gifted for ministry?

5.      What experience do you have with evangelism, spiritual retreats, prison ministry, small groups or mission work?

6.      What experience do you have leading a church or leadership in other organizations? What experience do you have with supervising paid staff or volunteers?

7.    We are seeking a part-time Student or Associate Pastor that potentially becomes a full-time position in the next two or three years. Would you consider being the Student or Associate Pastor if it were full time within that time frame?

8.      Do you expect to be content in a semi-rural setting?

9.      What needs do you have in the way of salary or other benefits?

10. What time frame are you looking to begin?

11. Why are you looking for a new position?

12. Please provide references, preferably someone from a church/ministry in a position of authority that worked closely with you.

Crums Church is a vibrant, growing independent (formerly United Methodist Church) located in Berryville, Virginia. We are Wesleyan or Methodist in doctrine. Crums averages 180 in attendance at our two worship services in 2026. We have seen steady and increasing growth over the last five years. Our staff and giving have increased correspondingly. We have a full-time office manager and 2 fulltime senior pastors currently (1 is retiring) along with a 10 hour a week youth director.

We have two worship services. Our 9 AM worship service includes a praise band, children’s church, and weekly communion. Average attendance 150. Our 11:15 AM worship is traditional with hymns and a choir and monthly communion. Average attendance 30, We have Sunday School for all ages at 10:15 AM. The church is active in the community and missions internationally. We have many who have participated in Walk to Emmaus, Kairos Prison Ministry, and we support mission work in Haiti, Mexico, Hungary, and Brazil. We encourage small group participation and spiritual disciplines as keys to living faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ.