Date Posted - September 30, 2026
F/T or P/T - full time
Salary - $75,000.00
Position Type - Pastor
Invitation to Serve - Unique opportunities await two churches on each side of the river in our historical college town.
Housing Option - Housing Allowance
Housing Information - Housing allowance included in salary
Benefits - Medical insurance for Pastor, Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Disability Insurance, SECA, Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Employee Assistance Plan, and Health Care Flexible Spending Account.In addition, there is a yearly reimbursable allowance for Continuing Education and another for Professional/Auto-Reimbursement Account (Travel, Books, Cell, Technology, Online Subscriptions, etc.). Final determinations will be made according to denominational guidelines.
Job Description (PDF) - https://greatlakescallfinder.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/The-Dream-Sheet.pdf
Job Description -
First Presbyterian (PCUSA) and St. John United Church of Christ are seeking a pastor/pastoral team to lead and serve our two congregations in shared ministry. Our pastor will devote 150 hours per year to ministry with Defiance College, funded by the UCC Heartland Conference. We are two distinct congregations united by a common commitment to faith, community, and the long-term viability of ministry in our community.
This is a unique opportunity for a pastor who sees ministry not simply as maintaining what already exists, but building relationships, encouraging faith, and discovering new ways for the church to serve and connect with the wider community.
Our Shared Ministry
First Presbyterian and St. John currently share a pastor and have developed common goals for ministry. We value:
- Meaningful outreach and engagement within our community.
- Music as an important part of worship.
- Thoughtful, varied and engaging preaching.
- Ministry that welcomes people of different ages and perspectives.
- A commitment for the long-term viability of shared ministry.
At the heart of our ministry is a desire to live and share God's compassion, justice, and peace in the world. We seek to put that commitment through community outreach, social activities, caring for those who are less fortunate, social justice, embracing diversity, and sharing our faith. Both congregations are involved in the surrounding community in many ways.
St John UCC is located on the campus of Defiance College, and is involved in a number of campus activities. Their outreach program has a small campus pantry for the wider community. A Backpack Buddies community program, in conjunction with the United Way, provides weekend meals for students in need across the County with close to 500 meals distributed weekly. An annual strawberry festival raises funds for various community partners. The church has provided space for a private daycare going into its third year, with over 50 students. St John provides free meeting spaces for other community groups such as the local PRIDE chapter, CCNO Immigrant Ministry Coalition, Genealogy Club, and Women’s AA. The church also hosts the annual Messiah concert during the Christmas season. St John started an active “Pub Theology” in 2018 at local establishments to encourage thoughtful discussions about the relationship between faith and contemporary issues. St John UCC is an open and affirming congregation.
First Presbyterian has involved the community in its Coats for Christmas outreach program which has distributed over 1000 coats each year since 1988. The program operates in conjunction with other groups in the community for assistance with collection and distribution. First Presbyterian participates in the community Tools for Schools program, providing school supplies to over 800 students annually. A mission partnership with several churches in the Mexican Yucatan peninsula has provided scholarships for high school and college students for over 50 Yucatan youth since 1997. A community garden provides free fresh vegetables to the community each summer. Space is provided for AA, Taekwondo, and other groups. The church also has an active Presbyterian Women and Friends group that meets for fellowship and special programs. Members of the congregation regularly get together for fellowship meals and breakfast worship services.
Defiance is the home of Defiance College, a four-year liberal arts school with a national reputation for its service-learning program. In its recent history, the pastor of St John served as a religious liaison and chaplain. This initiative is open for renewal and opportunity for the future relationship between St John, First Presbyterian, and Defiance College. More information about Defiance College can be found at www.defiance.edu.
Defiance is a forward-thinking, rural mid-west city of 17,000 people triangulated between Toledo, OH, Lima, OH, and Fort Wayne, IN. We have been the economic center and county seat of the rural area since our founding in 1823. Both the community and our excellent schools support music, arts, theater, and athletics. At the confluence of the Maumee and Auglaize rivers, Defiance has a thriving parks system and rich multicultural events, both outdoors and in our performing arts centers. Defiance offers exceptional opportunities for pastoral engagement in the community. See Visitdefianceohio.com and www.defiancechamber.com to explore more of our great city!
The Ministry
The pastor will provide leadership and pastoral care to both congregations while helping strengthen the relationships and shared vision that make this ministry possible.
Key responsibilities include:
- Teach and preach at both congregations.
- Administer the sacraments.
- Moderate Session, Consistory and congregational meetings.
- Provide pastoral care to members and the wider community.
- Supervise church staff.
- Serve as a liaison to various committees.
- Provide ministry services to Defiance College, including orientation,
counseling and commencement activities.
The Ideal Candidate
We are seeking a pastor who:
- Possesses strong preaching skills.
- Finds joy in interacting with people of different ages, backgrounds, and points of view.
- Communicates effectively with people of all ages.
- Has a good sense of humor.
- Is community-oriented and committed to building relationships beyond the church.
- Is comfortable engaging both theology and technology.
- Is organized and values the principle of “follow through.”
- Understands church finances and administrative responsibilities.
- Is energetic, takes initiative, and welcomes new opportunities for ministry.
- Is willing to embrace new projects and help our congregations grow in faith, service, and community engagement.
Denomination - UCC
Administrative Body - Northwest Ohio Association - UCC
Organization - St John United Church of Christ
Organization's Address - 950 Webster St, Defiance, Ohio 43512, US
Organization's Website - https://www.ucc.org/
Organization's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StJohnUCCDefianceOH/
