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Assistant Pastor Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

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Assistant Pastor information

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How much do assistant pastor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant pastor in Tennessee is $17.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $19.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an assistant pastor?

Assistant Pastors are church leaders who support the senior or lead pastor in guiding the congregation. Their duties often include assisting with worship services, teaching, pastoral care, counseling, and administrative tasks. They may also oversee specific ministries such as youth, outreach, or music. Assistant Pastors play a crucial role in ensuring the spiritual and operational needs of the church are met. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the size and needs of the church community.

What does an assistant pastor do?

Assistant pastors support the pastor in leadership and administrative roles at a church. As an assistant pastor, you may be responsible for one particular department, such as overseeing church activities, including bible studies or ministries, or managing administrative staff and budgets. You typically are in direct communication with your congregation; you attend church functions, preach sermons at Sunday Worship service, and may also promote missionary work abroad. A church may have just one or several assistant pastors, depending on the size of the congregation. In some areas, this role is used as a training position to help you prepare for becoming a pastor, while in other churches, this job is a permanent managerial role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant pastor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Pastor, you need a solid grounding in theology, pastoral care, and ministry leadership, often supported by a seminary degree or relevant religious studies. Familiarity with church management software, presentation tools, and social media platforms is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and effective communication help build relationships within the congregation and support collaborative ministry work. These skills and qualities are essential for effectively supporting church operations, nurturing spiritual growth, and fostering a welcoming community.

What are some common challenges an assistant pastor might face when supporting multiple ministry areas within a church?

Assistant Pastors often juggle responsibilities across various ministries, such as youth, outreach, and worship, which can present time management and prioritization challenges. Balancing the needs of different groups while maintaining alignment with the church's overall vision requires strong communication and organizational skills. Additionally, Assistant Pastors may need to adapt quickly to shifting priorities or fill in for senior leaders, making flexibility and collaboration essential in their daily work.

What is the difference between Assistant Pastor vs Associate Pastor?

AspectAssistant PastorAssociate Pastor
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's or master's degree in theology or divinity, along with pastoral experience.Similar credentials as Assistant Pastor, often with additional experience or specialization.
Work EnvironmentSupports the senior pastor, often handling specific ministries or duties within the church.Shares responsibilities with the senior pastor, may oversee particular departments or programs.
Role in ChurchAssists the senior pastor, often in administrative or pastoral duties.Acts as a key leader, sometimes with more authority or responsibility than an Assistant Pastor.

While both roles support church leadership and require similar credentials, an Assistant Pastor typically assists the senior pastor with specific tasks, whereas an Associate Pastor often has a broader leadership role within the church's ministry structure.

What are the most commonly searched types of Pastor jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Pastor jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Assistant Pastor jobs in Tennessee?

For Assistant Pastor jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Assistant Pastor jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Assistant Pastor job openings:

Infographic showing various Assistant Pastor job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,938 per year, or $17.3 per hour.

Assistant Pastor - Community Life Pastor

Brentwood, TN • On-site

$1.0K - $20K/yr

Part-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

The Community Life Pastor at The City of Refuge Church develops teams and pathways designed to help people move from a first time visit to a fully engaged member of the TCORC family. In addition, the Community Life Pastor plays a special role on our staff. Our invitation will be empty if we don’t have authentic and supportive relationships as a leadership team. A primary function of the Community Life Pastor position is to Pray, Visit the sick, tend to the Members needs via home-visit, hospital visit, nursing home, ect. This is a Part-time position. Salary will be commensurate with experience

Core Responsibilities

Our Pastor of Community Life helps our members and guests develop richer, more meaningful relationships by:

• Developing teams and pathways that effectively facilitate movement from guest to friend to family (strategies may include, but aren’t limited to Bible Studies, small groups, retreats, conferences, hospitality, ushers, greeters, special events, etc…)

• Developing teams and pathways to help our members become fully engaged (All in Christ, All in community, all involved, all investing, all inviting)

• Working with the Directors to ensure that verbal announcements on Sunday mornings are prioritized and presented in an effective manner

• Working with the Sr. Pastor/Elders to facilitate our annual membership renewal process

Our Pastor of Community Life oversees care for our growing community by…

• Working with the Sr. Pastor to provide oversight for our prayer ministries (altar ministry, prayer requests, etc…)

• Developing teams and strategies to celebrate with and care for our church family

• Developing teams and strategies to walk with individuals and families through significant life events such as weddings, funerals, hospitalizations, crises, professions of faith, baptisms, and dedications

• Ensuring that we have exceptional measures in place to protect our church family physically, emotionally, and spiritually whenever they are under our care.

Ensure effective communication and administration by

• Ensuring that requests for information are responded to promptly, professionally, and warmly (Connection Cards, phone calls, general emails, etc…)

• Ensuring that Community Life resources are well stocked, well organized, and well stewarded

• Ensuring compliance with applicable laws and policies

• Developing and overseeing departmental budgets

Qualifications

• Professes Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord

• Looks to the Bible as their Standard for belief and conduct • Has a mature faith and pursues a God-honoring lifestyle

• Serves from a position of humility – confident, yet coachable

• Is an ordained and Licensed Pastor (or will enthusiastically pursue ordination through TCORC)

• Is able to support the Senior Pastor by providing leadership for the entire staff and congregation in the Senior Pastor’s absence

• Has a proven, God-given capacity to build exceptional teams

• Has a wealth of experience in community-building among both staff and congregants

• Has a pastoral heart, is a great listener, and consistently points people towards reconciliation

• Has strong counseling skills and a list of exceptional referrals

• Has outstanding interpersonal skills

• Has excellent communication skills (verbal and written)

• Is a great listener

• Welcomes feedback

• Is a lifelong learner with a deep hunger for continued growth and development

• Embraces TCORC beliefs, vision, and values

**At least five years of full-time employment as an Associate Pastor is preferred**