Employment Opportunities
Pastor of Faith Formation and Social Justice
Plymouth United Church of Christ, Des Moines, Iowa, seeks an experienced and energetic full-time Pastor for Faith Formation and Social Justice. This position will report to the Senior Pastor and collaborate with the pastoral team. The candidate will be regularly involved with weekend worship, general staff responsibilities, and pastoral duties as assigned. The Pastor for Faith Formation and Social Justice will also supervise the Director of Children, Teens, and Families.
Faith Formation
The candidate will be the pastoral staff member responsible for developing and sustaining robust, multigenerational faith formation and education. This candidate will be the primary pastor working with students and families and will be responsible for directing the confirmation program. This position will collaborate and extensively partner with the Director of Children, Teens, and Families, building spiritual formation avenues for all children and teens.
Acknowledging that faith formation is a lifelong endeavor, this position will also shepherd faith formation for adults of all ages. Recent offerings include Sunday morning programming, special classes, all-church book discussions, and spiritual retreats. The candidate filling this position will direct the Board of Spiritual Growth and Adult Education, advancing a long-term vision for lifelong education and spiritual formation in a way that is consistent with the broader worshiping life of the congregation.
Social Justice
Plymouth’s bold social justice presence is a hallmark in the community and is often cited as a reason for new members joining the congregation. We are committed to advancing justice, equity, and compassion in and beyond our community. The candidate will direct Plymouth’s Board of Christian Social Action and its committees, implementing a multigenerational approach to social justice education, collaboration, and advocacy. Plymouth has numerous social justice committees actively engaging in anti-racism work, LGBTQ+ advocacy, creation care justice, community food and housing collaborations, peace and nonviolence initiatives, refugee and immigration efforts, and broad-based community organizing. We believe justice work at Plymouth is at its best when it is informed, intergenerational, and supported. We value situating social justice work as an essential part of living our faith.
Qualifications
Successful candidates’ key qualifications are openness to learning, the ability to work in a collaborative environment, a strong theological foundation, and a commitment to purposeful innovation and relationship building.
Seminary or graduate education (MDiv, MTS, MA, MAR, etc.) and ordination are preferred
Experience in a mid-to large-size congregation preferred
Openness to the United Church of Christ and progressive theology
Organizational and administrative skills
Willingness to engage with technology and church management systems
Strong influence and communication skills
Intangibles
We care about one another and work to achieve common goals
We value collaboration and teamwork
We share failures and successes
We speak well of one another
Salary and Benefits
Base salary of $70,000 to $80,000
403b contribution of 14% of base salary
90% of employee’s health insurance premium
90% of employee’s dental insurance premium
4 weeks of paid vacation
2 weeks of professional development
4 additional weekends off per year
Week after Christmas and week of July 4th off
Some reimbursement for moving expenses is available
Sabbatical after five years of continuous employment
Application Process
Ideally, the successful candidate will join Plymouth’s pastoral staff on or before September 1, 2024. Applications will be reviewed until the position has been successfully filled.
To apply, please submit a letter of interest and resume to Rev. Dr. Jared Wortman, emailing these materials to jwortman@plymouthchurch.com.
Additional Background
Plymouth Church first gathered in 1857, the same year Des Moines was named the state capital. Throughout our history, the people of Plymouth have appreciated progressive theology, social justice, and community engagement. In 2023, Plymouth celebrated being open and affirming for 30 years. Plymouth is one of the largest congregations in the United Church of Christ, with an active membership of more than 2,500. Plymouth has more than 20 full-time pastoral and program staff members and more than 20 part-time staff members. These parttime positions support Plymouth’s dynamic and expansive children and adult music and arts programs.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Plymouth welcomes candidates from various denominational backgrounds. Plymouth values diversity in all facets, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, or veteran status.
Living in Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa’s capital city, is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 best cities to live in by U.S. News. Great schools, affordable housing, a budding food culture, several annual festivals, and drivable access to several other large cities help make Des Moines a desirable city to live in. Extensive recreational trails, rivers, and parks also make Des Moines an easy place to enjoy.
In addition to the amenities of the city, Des Moines is progressive for the region and has a welcoming culture. The city and surrounding suburbs provide many different living options within a short commute from Plymouth. People living in the area describe it as having the best elements of small and larger cities.
Director of Children, Teens and Families
Plymouth is seeking a candidate who is passionate about helping children and teens develop their faith in today’s world. The ideal candidate will artfully empower children, teens, and families to embody a progressive faith that is both informed and relevant. This is a full-time, in-person, salaried position.
Intergenerational connections and spiritual formation are important to the fabric of Plymouth’s community and will be an essential goal. Additional attention should focus on developing a program that offers a range of engagement opportunities, providing low-entry and accessible avenues of involvement for time-pressed families while simultaneously providing avenues where sustained growth and theological development can occur.
The successful candidate will understand pedagogical goals, the importance of habits and rituals, and how to successfully integrate children, teens, and families into the broader life and ministry of Plymouth. The successful candidate should also be able to work with and value the many diverse household structures represented at Plymouth. We seek to be a place where children and teens can grow, learn, and ask questions in a faith environment that is loving, accepting, and fully inclusive. Collaborating and reporting to the Pastor for Faith Formation and Social Justice, the Director of Children, Teens, and Families will carry out a compelling vision for family ministry while developing and caring for volunteers.
Responsibilities
Collaborate with and report to the Pastor for Faith Formation and Social Justice to provide spiritual formation and seamless transitions at critical junctures in the lives of children, teens, and their families.
Supervise the Associate Director of Children, Teens, and Families.
Collaborate with music and arts staff for integrated and holistic programming.
Collaborate with and assist the Youth Executive Council.
Direct Church School and community-building programs.
Attend the Board of Children, Teens, and Families meetings as the primary staff liaison.
Administer education spaces and classrooms, including setting up for weekend services, and creating a safe, clean, and engaging environment.
Recruit, develop, lead, and equip volunteers.
Assist pastors in providing holistic support.
Administrate all volunteer and fundraising efforts.
Assist the Director of the Matins Choir with planning the annual Matins tour.
Serve as the staff liaison and board member representative for Plymouth Nursery School.
Other duties, as assigned, pertaining to Plymouth’s overall ministries, strategic plan objectives, programs, administration, and collaborative goals.
Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree is required. A master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., education, theology, social work, etc.) is preferred.
Ordination or previous ministry experience is a benefit but not required.
Organizational and administrative skills.
Strong influence and communication skills.
Experience with staff supervision.
Fluency with current technology, social media trends, and digital media best practices.
Intangibles
We value collaboration and teamwork.
We care about one another and work to achieve common goals.
We share failures and successes.
We speak well of one another.
We prize creativity, imagination, and having fun!
Compensation
Base salary of $55,000 to $65,000
403b contribution of 14% of base salary
90% of employee’s health insurance premium
90% of employee’s dental insurance premium
90% of employee’s vision insurance premium
4 weeks of paid vacation
4 additional weekends off per year
Week after Christmas and week of July 4th off
Application Process
Ideally, the successful candidate will join Plymouth’s pastoral staff as early as June 1, and no later than August 1, 2024. The priority deadline for this position is May 17, 2024. Applications will be reviewed until the position has been successfully filled.
To apply, please submit a letter of interest and resume to Rev. Dr. Jared Wortman, emailing these materials to jwortman@plymouthchurch.com.
Additional Background
Plymouth Church first gathered in 1857, the same year Des Moines was named the state capital. Throughout our history, the people of Plymouth have appreciated progressive theology, social justice, and community engagement. In 2023, Plymouth celebrated being open and affirming for 30 years. Plymouth is one of the largest congregations in the United Church of Christ, with an active membership of more than 2,500. Plymouth has more than 20 full-time pastoral and program staff members and more than 20 part-time staff members. These parttime positions support Plymouth’s dynamic and expansive children and adult music and arts programs.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Plymouth welcomes candidates from various denominational backgrounds. Plymouth values diversity in all facets, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, or veteran status.
Living in Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa’s capital city, is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 best cities to live in by U.S. News. Great schools, affordable housing, a budding food culture, several annual festivals, and drivable access to several other large cities help make Des Moines a desirable city to live in. Extensive recreational trails, rivers, and parks also make Des Moines an easy place to enjoy.
In addition to the amenities of the city, Des Moines is progressive for the region and has a welcoming culture. The city and surrounding suburbs provide many different living options within a short commute from Plymouth. People living in the area describe it as having the best elements of small and larger cities.