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Associate Pastor Jobs in Elizabethtown, KY (NOW HIRING)

Associate Pastor information

See Elizabethtown, KY salary details

$13.8K

$47K

$77.1K

How much do associate pastor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate pastor in Elizabethtown, KY is $47,040.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,100.00 and $56,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges associate pastors face when balancing administrative duties with spiritual leadership responsibilities?

Associate Pastors often juggle a variety of responsibilities, from planning and leading worship services to managing youth programs and overseeing church operations. One common challenge is finding the right balance between administrative tasks—such as scheduling, budgeting, and event coordination—and dedicating time to pastoral care, teaching, and spiritual mentoring. Successful Associate Pastors typically prioritize effective time management, delegate tasks when possible, and maintain open communication with senior leadership and ministry teams to ensure both administrative and spiritual needs are met.

What is an associate pastor?

An Associate Pastor is a clergy member who assists the Senior Pastor in leading and managing a church congregation. Their responsibilities often include preaching, teaching, organizing church programs, providing pastoral care, and supporting various ministries within the church. The specific duties can vary depending on the size and needs of the church, but Associate Pastors play a vital role in fostering community and spiritual growth. They often work closely with church staff and volunteers to ensure the smooth operation of church activities.

What is the difference between Associate Pastor vs Youth Pastor?

AspectAssociate Pastor
AspectYouth Pastor

While both roles serve within church leadership, an Associate Pastor typically has broader responsibilities across various ministries, including pastoral care, administration, and supporting the senior pastor. A Youth Pastor primarily focuses on youth ministry, engaging teenagers and young adults. Both roles often require similar credentials such as theological degrees and involve working in a church environment. However, the Associate Pastor role usually encompasses a wider range of duties, making it more comprehensive in church leadership.

What do you need to be an associate pastor?

To become an associate pastor, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree, often in theology, ministry, or a related field, along with relevant pastoral or ministry experience. Many churches also prefer candidates to have a master's degree in divinity or theology and strong communication and leadership skills.

What is an associate pastor?

An associate pastor works with a senior pastor at their church to serve their congregation. As an associate pastor, you assist with worship services and lead other religious activities for various ministry groups. Other job duties include collaborating with the senior pastor on service liturgy, giving sermons, leading prayer sessions, and reaching out to the community. The qualifications you need to pursue a career as an associate minister include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in religious studies or a seminary degree, along with ordination in your faith denomination. Because you work with people on a daily basis, you need excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills.

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

To thrive as an Associate Pastor, you need a solid theological background, pastoral training, and often a degree in divinity or ministry. Familiarity with church management software, digital communication tools, and curriculum resources is typically required. Excellent interpersonal skills, empathy, leadership, and the ability to communicate effectively help build trust within the congregation and staff. These skills are vital for providing spiritual guidance, supporting church operations, and fostering a welcoming and engaged church community.

What are the most commonly searched types of Pastor jobs in Elizabethtown, KY?

The most popular types of Pastor jobs in Elizabethtown, KY are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Pastor jobs in Elizabethtown, KY?

For Associate Pastor jobs in Elizabethtown, KY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Elizabethtown, KY are hiring for Associate Pastor jobs?

Cities near Elizabethtown, KY with the most Associate Pastor job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Pastor job openings in Elizabethtown, KY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,040 per year, or $22.6 per hour.

Associate US GEL African American Congregations

Presbyterian Church USA

Louisville, KY • On-site

$16.75 - $21/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Overview

The national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation (“A Corp”) “PC(USA)”, based in Louisville Kentucky, serve with mid-councils, congregations, worshipping communities, and partner organizations to carry forth the mission of Jesus Christ. Approximately 400 individuals, diverse in race, age, gender, sexual orientation, faith, skills, and more, come together as colleagues to work for a world where justice reigns, peace prevails, and God’s love extends to all people. This community comprises the staff of national entities: the Presbyterian Life & Witness, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Presbyterian Women, Investment and Loan Program, and the Administrative Services Group.

Basic Commitment: This position calls for a commitment to the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as noted in its theological confessions, the Book of Order, and the actions of the General Assembly.

Position Purpose: The Ecumenical Liaison appropriately conveys, interprets, and embodies policies and tenets of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PCUSA), and serves as an active and integral resource to PCUSA ecclesial partners, PCUSA constituents, as well as other strategic partners. The Ecumenical Liaison is to represent, support and ensure appropriate engagement of the PCUSA with ecumenical, global, community-based, civil society, and international partnerships around the world as well as diaspora partner relationships in the United States. This is carried out through close collaboration with the Stated Clerk through Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations.

The PCUSA US-facing Ecumenical Liaison based in the United States serves as a resource for connection and information between Mid Councils, diaspora communities, partners and PCUSA entities in conjunction with the PCUSA Stated Clerk and appropriate officers of partner denominations, organizations. This individual serves as a facilitator of denominational support for partner programs, relationships, and activities, and as an implementer of local, regional and/or global strategies.

Ecumenical Liaisons based in the United States will be deployed and located throughout the country, they will also provide support and connection to the appropriate Ecumenical Liaisons in locations around the world. They will report to a manager who is accountable to the director of Global Ecumenical Partnerships.

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Works with the PCUSA Stated Clerk's office to develop and implement strategy for each active region of the world, including the United States, through broad, collaborative and ongoing processes involving global partners, associates for ecumenical partnerships, and PCUSA constituents. The strategy is guided by General Assembly directives and directional goals.

2. Creates common spaces for information sharing and decision-making where concerns, initiatives, needs of strategic global partners, and the PCUSA are communicated with clarity to each other (i.e. Presbytery and congregational partnerships, mission networks, partnership networks, mission support groups, global partners, mission committees or other structures) as they engage together. This includes being a resource at the PCUSA General Assembly, for commissioners and delegates.

3. Stays well-informed of events and developments in the area and interprets the life and witness of global partners to the PCUSA constituencies to strengthen solidarity among partners. Provides strong support to Communications team. Of particular focus for U.S. based Ecumenical Liaisons is the ongoing relationship of diaspora communities throughout the U.S. and in specific regions of the country.

4. Represent effectively PCUSA to international partners, ecumenical entities, as directed by the Stated Clerk, at meetings and consultations. Connect with Mid Councils and interpret policies, terms of agreement for visiting/transferring ordained teaching elders/pastors, members, and other constituent relationships. Participate in meetings, as requested, and as appropriate.

5. Monitor financial disbursements to partners, according to PCUSA grants policy, providing accompaniment and assistance with systems and procedures, as appropriate and necessary.

6. Assist in developing security and other humanitarian assistance plans for the specific region, in case of need.

7. This position maintains a home base in the United States, while also providing connection and resourcing to (name of diaspora community), (name of Mid Council), and (name of stakeholder organization, applicable).

Essential Position Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree, with relevant work experience; Master's degree preferred.
  • AT least 4 years of experience in cross-cultural or international ministry, preferably toward an understanding of the PCUSA
  • Faith commitment to Jesus Christ and strong Christian witness in the Reformed Tradition
  • Sense of call to this position
  • Understanding/comprehension of the PCUSA constitution
  • Knowledge of and commitment to the ecumenical witness and ministry of the PCUSA as expressed through policies and practices of the General Assembly
  • Language skills appropriate to the region
  • Networking capabilities; cultivation of relationships
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; good listening skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills, able to relate well with a wide and inclusive diversity of people
  • Demonstrated skills in working in a team relationship by development, nurture, evaluation/assessment, reflection, analysis, and discernment
  • Able to maintain emotional balance under stress and able to respond appropriately to emotions and emotionally charged situations
  • History of accountability and transparency
  • Able to be a respectful presence
  • Able and open to learning from other

Helpful Skills

  • Leadership in contexts of church, faith communities, neighborhood/village communities, non-government organizations
  • Training, meeting facilitation and/or public speaking
  • Project and time management; record-keeping
  • Social media savvy

Required Competencies

  • Able to function effectively as a representative of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
  • Self-motivated
  • Organized
  • Team player
  • Can work under pressure

Physical Requirements

  • Travel required (domestic and international)
  • Requires the ability to work evening/weekend hours on occasion to support events/programs/travel
  • Requires the ability to see, hear, speak, type, write, and move from one location to another while performing tasks

Additional Information/Benefits:

We believe a balanced life, with time for work, leisure, and spiritual nurture, makes us healthier and more productive colleagues.


PC(USA) offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees including

Defined Pension Plan

Medical

Dental

Vision

Basic Life Insurance

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible Spending accounts

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

Vacation Days

Sick Days

Paid Holidays.

PCUSA Commitment:

Our faith in God inspires our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and is grounded in scripture, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and actions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the U.S. government, including gender identity and sexual orientation.

Candidates from Presbyterian communities in the global south and other historic Presbyterian Communities of Color, preferably with theological training and fluency in languages other than English, are encouraged to apply.