English Congregation Pastor — Full-Time Position
Chinese Evangel Mission Church of New Jersey (CEMCNJ)
About the Church
Chinese Evangel Mission Church of New Jersey (CEMCNJ) is a long-established church with a growing English Congregation. We are a bilingual and bicultural church family that serves both an English-speaking congregation and a Chinese-speaking congregation. The English Congregation includes a medium-sized group of youth (ages 12-18, grades 7-12), a smaller but committed group of young adults, and adults who worship and serve alongside them.
About the Position
CEMCNJ is seeking a full‑time English Congregation Pastor to shepherd and lead our English‑speaking congregation. We are seeking a pastor with a shepherd’s heart, a strong sense of calling, and the initiative and ownership to lead and develop the ministry of the English Congregation. We are praying for a pastor who will faithfully care for those already in our congregation, reconnect with those who have become less connected to the church, and cultivate a warm and welcoming environment that encourages new families and individuals to become part of our church community. This is a broad pastoral leadership role. The pastor will have overall pastoral responsibility and ownership for the spiritual life and ministry of the English Congregation across all age groups. We are looking for someone who will take initiative in developing ministry vision, leading key ministries, and building relationships, while working collaboratively with church leaders, ministry volunteers, the Chinese Congregation’s pastoral staff, and the church board. The pastor will be expected to lead directly where pastoral leadership is needed, while intentionally developing and empowering others to serve and lead. Our desire is to build a healthy and sustainable ministry in which members are equipped to use their gifts and new leaders are continually developed.
Vision for This Role
Shepherd the whole English Congregation: youth, young adults, and adults, as one unified body of believers.
Take ownership and initiative. Provide clear pastoral leadership and direction for the English Congregation, identifying ministry needs and opportunities and taking initiative to respond to them.
Reconnect the disconnected. Intentionally reach out to those who have become less connected to worship, fellowship, or church life and help them find a path back into Christian community.
Grow the congregation. Cultivate a genuinely warm, welcoming, and hospitable church culture that bridges cultural and linguistic differences and helps newcomers feel at home.
Reach the community. Develop and lead outreach opportunities that invite people into relationships with Christ and the church.
Develop and equip leaders. Identify, train, mentor, and empower volunteers and emerging leaders so that ministry responsibilities can be shared and multiplied.
Build a discipleship culture. Develop a clear and sustainable approach to helping people of all ages grow in biblical understanding, faith, service, and relationship with Christ.
Develop a clear ministry vision. In cooperation with church leadership, establish and communicate a clear vision and direction for the English Congregation’s spiritual growth and ministry.
What We Offer:
A full‑time pastoral position with competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
A supportive pastoral staff and church board committed to the spiritual health and growth of the English Congregation.
An established, multi-generational congregation with opportunities to develop and strengthen ministry.
Housing allowance and benefits, including health insurance.
Relocation expenses negotiated on a case‑by‑case basis.
Congregational Leadership & Pastoral Care
Shepherd the English Congregation as a whole (youth, young adults, and adults), providing spiritual oversight, encouragement, teaching, and pastoral care.
Build meaningful relationships with members across generations and life stages.
Conduct pastoral visitation and outreach to members, inactive attendees, and their families.
Be attentive to the distinct spiritual and developmental needs of young men, young women, young adults, and adults at different stages of life.
Administer the Lord’s Supper and baptism as part of the pastoral staff team.
Disciple young people to know Jesus as Lord and Savior and equip them to discern and follow God’s calling on their lives.
Sunday Worship, Preaching & Teaching
Take primary pastoral ownership of the weekly English Sunday worship service and preach regularly.
Provide biblical, Christ-centered preaching and teaching that is relevant to the spiritual needs of the congregation.
Oversee the English worship and preaching ministry, including sermon scheduling and coordination with guest speakers and ministry leaders as appropriate.
Lead worship and participate in other worship leadership roles as needed.
Recruit, train, mentor, and empower appropriate individuals to serve in worship and ministry roles, including worship leaders, music ministry leaders, ushers, Scripture readers, and other congregational servants.
Oversee Sunday School and provide spiritual direction and support to teachers and ministry leaders, ensuring age‑appropriate and biblically grounded teaching for youth, young adults, and adults.
Youth Ministry & Friday Fellowship
Take primary pastoral ownership of the weekly Friday youth fellowship for grades 7–12.
Provide consistent pastoral presence, spiritual leadership, teaching, and relationship‑building within the youth ministry.
Work closely with youth ministry leaders and volunteers to plan and lead weekly fellowship, Bible study, discussion, worship, activities, and outreach.
Intentionally train and develop youth ministry leaders so that appropriate responsibilities can be delegated to trained and trusted leaders while maintaining strong pastoral oversight.
Encourage youth to develop their gifts and take meaningful roles in worship, fellowship, service, outreach, and leadership.
Build relationships with parents and communicate regularly regarding the spiritual development and needs of the youth.
Discipleship & Spiritual Formation
Develop a clear and sustainable discipleship pathway for youth, young adults, and adults.
Provide opportunities for Bible study, prayer, mentoring, small groups, fellowship, and spiritual growth.
Equip members to grow in biblical knowledge, prayer, Christian character, service, evangelism, and community.
Encourage youth and young adults to discern God’s calling and develop into future ministry leaders.
Identify individuals with leadership potential and intentionally mentor and equip them for ministry.
Leadership Development
Build a collaborative ministry culture in which members are encouraged and equipped to serve according to their gifts.
Recruit, train, mentor, and encourage volunteers and emerging leaders across youth, young adult, worship, discipleship, outreach, and fellowship ministries.
Delegate ministry responsibilities appropriately to trained leaders while maintaining pastoral oversight and accountability.
Develop ministry teams that can serve effectively and sustainably rather than relying solely on the pastor.
Encourage existing leaders while continually developing and preparing new leaders.
Fellowship, Prayer & Community
Take pastoral leadership in establishing and maintaining meaningful fellowship opportunities for youth, young adults, and adults.
Lead and/or oversee regular prayer gatherings for the English Congregation.
Encourage intergenerational relationships and fellowship within the English Congregation.
Communicate regularly and effectively with youth, young adults, adults, parents, ministry leaders, the church board, and pastoral staff.
Outreach & Congregational Growth
Take initiative in developing and leading outreach ministries designed to reach people in the surrounding community and introduce them to Christ and the church.
Develop strategies to reconnect with inactive members and encourage them to re‑engage with the church community.
Cultivate a "Come as you are and grow in Christ" culture through welcoming, hospitality, relationships, and ministry.
Fully participate in church‑wide outreach events with an English‑ministry component, including Easter Sunday Egg Hunt, summer outreach programs, Harvest Festival, and other opportunities.
Explore new outreach opportunities appropriate for youth, young adults, families, and adults.
Programs & Events
Work together with the Children’s Worship Director and Chinese Congregation Pastor to plan and lead the annual Vacation Bible School (VBS).
Organize and lead special events such as retreats, mission and ministry trips, and seasonal celebrations including Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Encourage ministry leaders and volunteers to take ownership of appropriate programs and events while providing pastoral guidance and oversight.
Develop programs that support the spiritual growth, fellowship, outreach, and community‑building goals of the English Congregation.
Develop and manage the English Congregation ministry budget in collaboration with the church treasurer and appropriate church leadership.
Pastoral Staff & Church Leadership Collaboration
Participate in monthly board meetings, special board meetings, and pastoral staff meetings.
Work collaboratively with the Chinese Congregation’s pastoral staff on shared administrative, spiritual, and church‑wide responsibilities.
Maintain healthy and constructive communication with church leadership and ministry leaders.
Participate in church‑wide ministries and responsibilities as appropriate.
Bring initiative and ownership to the English Congregation while working within the church’s established leadership structure, policies, and vision.
What We’re Looking For: A clear call to pastoral ministry and a genuine heart for shepherding people.
A strong commitment to Scripture, prayer, discipleship, and the mission of the local church.
A heart for cross‑generational ministry, from junior high youth through adults.
Demonstrated experience or strong aptitude in youth ministry, preaching, discipleship, and pastoral care.
A strong sense of initiative, ownership, responsibility, and follow‑through.
The ability to develop ministry vision and translate that vision into practical, sustainable ministry.
Experience or aptitude in evangelism, outreach, and congregational development.
A demonstrated ability to recruit, train, mentor, and empower ministry leaders and volunteers.
Strong relational and communication skills with youth, parents, young adults, adults, volunteers, and church leadership.
The ability to lead directly while also delegating appropriately and developing others to lead.
Comfort and cultural sensitivity working within a bilingual and bicultural church community.
A collaborative spirit and the ability to work effectively with pastoral staff, church leaders, and volunteers.
A willingness to be actively involved in the life of the congregation and build genuine relationships with its members.
Education & Credentials
Bachelor’s degree required; Master of Divinity or equivalent theological training strongly preferred.
Seminary training required.
Ordination or license to ministry preferred.
