Co-Pastors, Full Time, Central Congregational UCC: Jamaica Plain, MA
Church of the Covenant, Boston, MA
United Church of Christ/ Presbyterian Church USA
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Transitional Associate Pastor
Church of the Covenant (UCC/PCUSA) is a progressive, justice-oriented and creative congregation in downtown Boston. We are a congregation that has a long and proud history, and we look forward in faith as we continue to move with the Spirit’s lead into this next chapter of our life together. We are seeking a half-time Transitional Associate Pastor to work alongside our Lead Pastor and in collaboration with other staff to serve the life, vitality, mission, advocacy and spirituality of our faith community. The focus of this position will encompass four primary areas: innovative outreach, college & graduate school students, young adult ministry, and the ongoing Sunday-based worshipping life of our community. We are seeking someone who will build on our energy and our newly adopted Missional Plan, and work with us collaboratively to discern those places where the Spirit is calling us forward in this time, especially with an eye toward the younger half of our community.
Qualities needed include:
● certification, training, or experience with transitional ministry preferred
● experience in multi-staff parish ministry (preferably in an urban setting)
● strong pastoral, communication, organizational capacity, and interpersonal skills
● collaborative work style
● certification or skills in young adult ministry, worship leadership, preaching, and administrative and communications-based computer applications
● attention to detail and creative problem solving
● a faith life focused on the love of God and neighbor
● commitment to the mission and values of Church of the Covenant
Position Description
In collegial and collaborative relationship with the Lead Pastor, church staff, and volunteers, the Transitional Associate Pastor’s role will include:
● Innovative Outreach: In close collaboration with Lead Pastor, help support, vision and implement innovative program(s) that are focused primarily on groups of people outside the current watershed of our congregational life and community for the purpose of growing our congregation. This work will build on the previous few years of COTC’s innovative outreach and will find its focus at the intersection of arts, spirituality, climate and racial justice. It may also connect COTC with students, young professionals, and those most affected by Boston’s current housing crisis.
● Young Adult & College / Grad School Ministries. Serve as primary pastoral presence and organizational driver for the nurture and development of our ongoing ministry with, and leadership of, our 20s30s40s+ community. Help plan and participate in programming and community building efforts with an eye to integrating 20s30s40s+ into the wider life of the church. Welcome new visitors who worship on Sundays into the life of this community. In addition, continue to nurture a newly created “Covenant Connections” community of college and graduate school students.
● Creative Worship. Work in close collaboration with Lead Pastor and other staff to lead and plan some weekly worship services, preaching approximately once a month, serving as Liturgist and worship leader, and helping administer the sacraments.
● Participation. Associate Pastor will look at our worship and community life with a lens to increasing people’s ability to participate and engage more deeply. Explore opportunities for new visitors, online worshippers, building partners, in-person worshippers, guest musicians, etc. to participate in our life together. Will work closely with Lead Pastor and others to plan and implement our special “5th Sunday Selah Services” with a lens to increasing participation.
● Additional Pastoral Duties: Transitional Associate Pastor and Lead Pastor will work together to make sure that appropriate pastoral presence and meeting coverage is maintained. Attendance and participation in the leadership of our annual all-church fall retreat and monthly Council meetings is expected.
Relationships and Accountability
The Transitional Associate Pastor shall report to the Lead Pastor as staff Team Leader (head of staff) who provides oversight and leadership for the church’s worship and organizational life and for the church’s ministries, programs, and activities; and be accountable to the congregation’s Council.
Qualifications
The Transitional Associate Pastor should preferably be an ordained minister in good standing of the United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church USA or one of our full-communion partners (the Christian Church [Disciples of Christ], the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or the Reformed Church in America), or have attained the educational and ecclesiastical qualifications necessary for such standing. Ministers of Word and Sacrament or equivalents from other reasonably compatible mainline Protestant traditions (including the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church, the American Baptist Church, and the Moravian Church) will also be considered, assuming the candidate can demonstrate the ability to faithfully and effectively minister under the faith and order of our denominations and show alignment with the progressive, Open and Affirming/More Light (LGBTQ+ affirming) commitments of Church of the Covenant.
Scope and Duration
The Transitional Associate Pastor must be able to work for Church of the Covenant on a half-time basis (20-25 hours/week), including weekly Sunday morning worship attendance, for the duration of this position until a search for a settled Associate Pastor is completed – likely a period of about (but not limited to) 6-12 months, starting between September-October 2026.
Compensation and Benefits
This position meets the compensation and benefits guidelines in the United Church of Christ (UCC) or the Presbyterian Church (USA) based on affiliation, qualification, and experience. Annual salary range $35-37K, plus prorated benefits of healthcare, death/ disability, professional expenses, travel, and continuing education.
Contact
If you would like to apply for this position, please send your resume and contact information to finsecy@cotcbos.org. Review begins on Monday, June 15, 2026. Will continue to accept applications until position is filled.
Additional Information
Get more information on the Website here