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Associate Pastor Jobs in Jackson, MS (NOW HIRING)

Associate Pastor information

See Jackson, MS salary details

$13.1K

$44.7K

$73.2K

How much do associate pastor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate pastor in Jackson, MS is $44,656.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,200.00 and $53,600.00 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 Jackson, MS?

The most popular types of Pastor jobs in Jackson, MS are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Pastor jobs in Jackson, MS?

For Associate Pastor jobs in Jackson, MS, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Pastor jobs in Jackson, MS look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Pastor jobs in Jackson, MS are:

What cities near Jackson, MS are hiring for Associate Pastor jobs?

Cities near Jackson, MS with the most Associate Pastor job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Pastor job openings in Jackson, MS as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,656 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Children's Associate (Madison Campus)

Pinelake Church

Madison, MS • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Vision, Life

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

SUMMARY
The Children's Associate is responsible for assisting the Children's Pastor in implementing and promoting Children's Ministry, from first through fourth grade, that helps kids and families learn from Christ, live in Christ, and lead others to Him. This position will help the Children's Pastor to develop and implement a growing Servant Leader process that ensures servant leader team will grow spiritually, relationally and in ministry excellence. The Children's Associate will support process and procedures to create a safe environment and follow all the Our House Promise Policy.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Learn
    • Pursue a growing relationship with Jesus through consistent time in God's Word and prayer.
    • Continually grow in your understanding of the Jesus-Centered Life (salvation, identity, life, and authority in Christ).
    • Remain teachable and hungry, seeking feedback, learning from others, and developing both spiritually and professionally.
    • Cultivate awareness of God's presence in everyday life, listening to the Holy Spirit and responding in obedience.
  • Live
    • Practice and model the rhythms of Be the Church (Grow, Pray, Connect, and Share).
    • Pursue emotional health by engaging in self-awareness, addressing past wounds, and cultivating honest, healthy relationships.
    • Practice healthy rhythms, prioritizing your relationship with Jesus and your family
    • Embody a life of integrity and surrender, allowing your private life with God to shape your work.
  • Lead
    • Take ownership of disciple-making by personally investing in others and helping them move toward a Jesus-Centered Life.
    • Walk others through the Discipleship Pathway (Essentials → JCL → Be the Church), helping them discover and take their next step.
    • Shepherd people, not just programs, by listening for where God is at work in their story and walking with them toward transformation.
    • Equip and release others by developing Servant Leaders and multiplying disciples who Learn from Christ, Live in Christ, and Lead others to Christ.
    • Measure success by life change, spiritual formation, and multiplication-not just attendance or activity.
  • Embrace the Culture
    • Value and embody the staff values, which we call the 7 H's: Humility, Honor, Honesty, Hunger, Holy Spirit, Health, and Harmony
    • Communicate clearly, honestly, and proactively in a way that builds trust, unity, and momentum.
    • Work in alignment with the church vision and leadership
    • Participate fully in the life of your campus or team, contributing to the unity, health, and shepherding of the faith family.

SPECIFIC LIST OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In conjunction with the Children's Pastor, provides leadership of all Children's Ministries, including, but not limited to:
  • Weekly ministry, servant leader development, and strategic events, including Jesus Centered Life for Kids and other events.
  • Implementation and execution of strategy to recruit and develop leaders to lead in all areas of Children's ministry, including hospitality team, classroom leaders, Sonrays (special needs) leaders, and leaders of leaders.
  • Equipping for all servant leaders through scheduled leader huddles and coach meetings.
  • Shepherding children's ministry leaders to grow spiritually, relationally, and in ministry excellence to partner with parents in the discipleship of their children.
  • Provides consistent communication for families and leaders that shepherds them considering the mission and vision of Pinelake Church.
  • Builds relationships with children's families through personal contact, lunches, meetings, or correspondence.
  • Works alongside the Children's Pastor to implement materials, curriculum, and resources provided by One Church for the Children's Ministry.
  • Assisting with the Children's Ministry calendar and budget preparation.
  • Keeping the Children's Ministry safe by shepherding servant leaders through Pinelake's Our House Promise safety policy.
  • Assists other ministries as necessary in the successful completion of regular worship events and special events.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises and coordinates work with servant-leaders.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Bachelor's degree minimum; and 1 to 3 years of previous experience working with children or in ministry and/or training.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
The individual must have excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work with a diverse group of people, communicate clearly and effectively on the telephone, e-mail and in person, demonstrating tact and diplomacy. Exceptional interpersonal skills are required to develop and maintain strong working relationships with volunteers, co-workers, the public and church members and regular attendees. The individual must have the ability to understand written or oral instructions; read, analyze, and interpret complex documents, instructions manuals, policies and procedures is essential.
COMPUTER AND MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
The individual must have demonstrated skill in the use of Mac/Windows OS to complete tasks, including word processing and spreadsheets and the ability to use the internet for information retrieval. The individual must have basic mathematical skills, knowledge of bookkeeping and basic accounting, and budget and expense monitoring. The individual must have the ability to read financial information and spreadsheets.
REASONING ABILITY
This individual should be able to simultaneously conceptualize and plan multiple tasks, have the ability to project outcomes using different implementation strategies, and be able to apply creative and innovative thinking to problem situations. The ability to work effectively and efficiently under stressful conditions to ensure deadlines are met is essential.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level of the work environment is usually moderate.