The Opportunity

As WCCC enters its next season, we are seeking a Senior Pastor who will faithfully shepherd our congregation while helping us prayerfully discern and pursue where God is leading us next. Our senior pastor is retiring after 26 years of service in April. We are grateful for this and  are excited at what the Lord has us in the next season.

We are seeking a Senior Pastor who is both an exceptional teacher and a devoted shepherd, someone who loves God's Word and loves people. At the same time, we are looking for a visionary leader who can see where WCCC can go, communicate a compelling vision, and bring people together to pursue it.

We are looking for a pastor who honors our strengths while bringing fresh vision and thoughtful leadership, with the Gospel at the center of all we do. 

Job Description

The Senior Pastor will serve as WCCC's primary spiritual leader and preacher, providing biblical teaching and vision for our ministries, staff, and mission. In partnership with the Board, staff, ministry leaders, volunteers, and congregation, the Senior Pastor will help cultivate a healthy, growing, and Christ-centered church.

Preach & Teach

• Prepare and deliver biblically faithful, engaging, and applicable sermons as the church’s primary preacher and teacher

• Lead weekly worship services in partnership with worship staff and ministry leaders, including baptisms and communion in accordance with WCCC’s beliefs and practices

• Help people grow in faith and apply Scripture to everyday life

Lead Spiritually & Cast Vision

• Provide spiritual leadership and communicate a compelling vision for WCCC’s future

• Guide people toward meaningful next steps in their relationship with Christ

• Strengthen WCCC’s Worship, Connect, Contribute, and Cultivate framework

• Lead with humility, integrity, wisdom, and spiritual maturity

Shepherd & Care for People

• Provide pastoral care, prayer, counsel, and encouragement to individuals and families through life’s challenges, transitions, and celebrations

• Perform weddings, funerals, and other pastoral services

• Foster a welcoming culture where people feel known, valued, and cared for, and where those at every stage of faith can explore questions and grow in their relationship with Christ

Build Relationships & Develop Leaders

• Build authentic relationships across the congregation and broader community through warm, engaging, and approachable leadership

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop church staff, fostering a healthy, collaborative, and accountable team culture

• Equip volunteers and lay leaders, identify emerging leaders, and empower people to use their gifts in ministry

Lead the Church Forward

• Partner with the Board of Directors on vision, strategy, governance, and church health

• Align ministries and programs with WCCC’s mission and priorities while pursuing opportunities for discipleship, growth, and outreach

• Lead thoughtfully through seasons of growth and change, honoring history while helping discern and pursue its future

Serve Our Community & the World

• Champion local outreach and community engagement by listening to the needs of Chicago’s Northwest Side and developing meaningful relationships and partnerships

• Support and strengthen ministries such as the WCCC Food Pantry, connecting service with relationships and opportunities for discipleship

• Encourage the congregation to live out its faith through service and support WCCC’s missionary partners and participation in God’s global mission

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking a Senior Pastor who:

• Has a deep and growing relationship with Jesus Christ

• Is firmly grounded in Scripture and committed to faithful biblical teaching

• Communicates God's Word with clarity, relevance, warmth, and pastoral sensitivity

• Has a genuine love for people and a heart for shepherding

• Is a strong leader who can cast vision while bringing people along with them

• Can lead thoughtfully through change 

• Is committed to local community engagement and global mission

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated Christian faith and commitment to following Jesus Christ

• Agreement with WCCC's mission, beliefs, and theological convictions

• Appropriate theological education and/or ministry preparation

• At least 3 years experience preaching and teaching Scripture

• Pastoral experience providing care to individuals and families

• Experience leading and developing staff, ministry leaders, and/or volunteers

• Strong communication, relational, organizational, and leadership skills

• Demonstrated spiritual and emotional maturity

Strongly Preferred

• Experience serving as a Senior Pastor, Lead Pastor, Executive Pastor, or in a comparable pastoral leadership role

• Experience leading a church through transition or organizational change

• Experience in a volunteer-driven church

• Experience with strategic planning and organizational leadership

• Experience engaging with an urban community

• Graduate-level theological education, such as an M.Div. or equivalent

What Success Looks Like

At WCCC, success is about more than attendance or numbers. We believe a healthy church is one where people are growing in their relationship with Christ and living out their faith.

We will look for evidence of:

• People taking meaningful next steps in their faith

• Spiritual growth and biblical understanding throughout the congregation

• Healthy and engaging preaching, worship, and discipleship

• Strong pastoral care and authentic community

• Staff and volunteer leaders who are growing and thriving

• Increased ownership and participation in ministry

• Healthy collaboration between the Senior Pastor, Board, staff, and congregation

• Continued impact through local community ministry and global mission

• A clear and sustainable vision for WCCC's future

Join Us for the Next Season

We believe the Senior Pastor role at WCCC is an opportunity to shepherd and invest deeply in people, develop leaders, preach the Gospel, and help discern what God has next for our church.

If you are a pastor who loves Jesus, loves people, loves God's Word, and is excited about helping a church take its next faithful step, we would love to hear from you.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following materials to pastorsearch@windycitycommunitychurch.org 

• Resume/CV: Outlining ministry experience, education, and relevant qualifications

• Cover Letter: Sharing your interest in WCCC and your sense of calling to this role

• Pastoral Application Questionnaire: A completed questionnaire addressing faith, theology, ministry philosophy, and leadership

• Statement of Faith Acknowledgement: Applicants must read, affirm their agreement with, and sign the church’s Statement of Faith.

• Sermon Samples: Links to two recent sermons; ideally, one typical Sunday sermon and one demonstrating a different passage, topic, or teaching approach. Video is preferred. Please include the sermon title, Scripture passage, and date preached.

• Three References: Please provide the following:

  • One current or former pastor, ministry mentor, or church leader

  • One current or former supervisor or ministry colleague familiar with your leadership

  • One additional professional or character reference who can speak to your integrity and qualifications for pastoral ministry

• For each reference, include their name, relationship to you, organization or church, email address, and phone number. References will be contacted with your permission at the appropriate stage of the search process

We look forward to learning how God has equipped you for ministry and how your gifts, experience, and calling may align with WCCC’s mission and vision for the future.