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Associate Pastor Jobs in Norfolk, VA (NOW HIRING)

Hospice Chaplain

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... pastor, pastoral, social services, nursing support, support, hospice, home health, counseling ... For positions that are available as remote work, Sentara Health employs associates in the following ...

Associate Pastor information

See Norfolk, VA salary details

$14.5K

$49.6K

$81.3K

How much do associate pastor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate pastor in Norfolk, VA is $49,582.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,200.00 and $59,500.00 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 Norfolk, VA?

The most popular types of Pastor jobs in Norfolk, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Pastor jobs in Norfolk, VA?

For Associate Pastor jobs in Norfolk, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Pastor jobs in Norfolk, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Pastor jobs in Norfolk, VA are:

What cities near Norfolk, VA are hiring for Associate Pastor jobs?

Cities near Norfolk, VA with the most Associate Pastor job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Pastor job openings in Norfolk, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 32% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,582 per year, or $23.8 per hour.

Hospice Chaplain

Sentara Healthcare

Chesapeake, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Sentara Health rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 412 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

530th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

City/State
Chesapeake, VA
Work Shift
First (Days)
Overview:
Sentara Hospice is seeking to hire a qualified individual to join our team as a Chaplain!
Overview:
The Chaplain provides spiritual support and bereavement counseling support to the patient's and/or families of the Hospice Program. Makes home visits, administers sacraments, serves as a resource for information on spiritual and bereavement issues and documents relevant/ appropriate information regarding patients, family psycho-socio-spiritual situation in the patient's record.
Anticipated Status/Shift:
Full Time (40 hours/week)
Day Shift
Position Location:
Chesapeake, VA
Hourly Range: 25.60-42/hour
We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, and benefits.
Education
  • Bachelor's Level Degree (Required)

Experience
  • 2 years Pastoral Care (Preferred)

keywords: chaplain, pastor, pastoral, social services, nursing support, support, hospice, home health, counseling, bereavement
Benefits: Caring For Your Family and Your Career
Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Adoption, Fertility and Surrogacy Reimbursement up to 10,000
• Paid Time Off and Sick Leave
• Paid Parental & Family Caregiver Leave
• Emergency Backup Care
• Long-Term, Short-Term Disability, and Critical Illness plans
• Life Insurance
• 401k/403B with Employer Match
• Tuition Assistance - 5,250/year and discounted educational opportunities through Guild Education
• Student Debt Pay Down - 10,000
• Reimbursement for certifications and free access to complete CEUs and professional development
• Pet Insurance
• Legal Resources Plan
• Colleagues have the opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus if established system and employee eligibility criteria is met.
Sentara Health is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself on the diversity and inclusiveness of its close to an almost 30,000-member workforce. Diversity, inclusion, and belonging is a guiding principle of the organization to ensure its workforce reflects the communities it serves.
In support of our mission "to improve health every day," this is a tobacco-free environment.
For positions that are available as remote work, Sentara Health employs associates in the following states:
Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

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