Associate Pastor Search

Join us in making, mobilizing, and multiplying disciples of Christ in New England.


We’re seeking an Associate Pastor to join us in making, mobilizing, and multiplying disciples of Christ. If you're passionate about the gospel, relationally gifted, and excited about ministry in a richly historic, yet spiritually-challenging region, we invite you to explore this opportunity and prayerfully consider joining our team.

Center Grace Church is a gospel-centered PCA congregation located in Beverly, Massachusetts. We began as a satellite of First Presbyterian Church North Shore in 2015 and became a particularized church in 2021. Today, we’re a vibrant church family of ~180 worshippers, made up of people in all life stages from diverse theological and cultural backgrounds.

Our worship blends historic liturgy with contemporary expression, grounded in biblical teaching and a deep love for Christ. We value authenticity, hospitality, and spiritual formation, and we are deeply committed to our city and to church planting across the North Shore of Massachusetts.

Ultimately, Grace is the center and starting point for everything we do. We’re not perfect. We’re constantly changing, learning, and growing, and that’s not always easy. We’ve put God as the foundation of our lives as a constant source of grace to help us wrestle with our struggles and celebrate the joys of life.

About Center Grace

Our Mission


Make Gospel-Centered People

The Gospel is another way to say “good news.” The good news is that God sent Jesus as a sign of his grace. Jesus was perfect, but he took on our human imperfections and died as a sacrifice for our sins so we wouldn’t have to. We keep that true story in our minds and use Jesus as our role model.

Mobilize a Transformational Community

Because we believe in that “good news” and look to Jesus as a role model, we’re able to live different lives than we would otherwise. For example, we get involved in our church community through monthly meals after church and small groups, and we stay involved in our local community through foster care, donating food and hygiene supplies to those who need them, and more. We’re still definitely not perfect, but we want to imitate the love of Jesus in order to change our community from the inside out.

Multiply Disciples of Jesus Christ as Part of a Missional Movement

With such good news, we don’t want to just keep it to ourselves. Our ultimate goal is to show people who haven’t heard the good news, are skeptical, or might not have a relationship with God how powerful the story is—in the past, present, and future—by connecting with those people where they’re at. We want to inspire the people currently in our church family to be good examples of love and grace as Jesus has done for us so that other people will see and want to be part of that difference.


Only 14% of Massachusetts residents attend religious services (of any kind) each week and less than 4% would classify themselves as “Evangelical Protestants”. Despite the challenges that come along with being in a region with low gospel affinity, we are hopeful, committed, and encouraged by God's faithfulness here. Our city, Beverly, is a vibrant coastal community that combines historic charm with a strong cultural and educational presence. Though affluent in areas, there are real economic and spiritual needs—and we’re committed to serving everyone.

Our Context

Our Church Life


We’re led by a wonderful Senior Pastor, a faithful elder team, and a dedicated diaconate. Our worship blends thoughtful liturgy with contemporary music and biblically rich preaching. We prioritize discipleship through small groups, youth and children’s ministries, and partnerships with both gospel-preaching churches and secular organizations in our community.

The Associate Pastor Role

Job Summary: Center Grace is looking for a full time Associate Pastor to work alongside our current Pastor and other Elders to shepherd our congregation, serving in all aspects of pastoral ministry in the church. Necessary areas of focus will include teaching/preaching, ministry to youth and young adults, and discipleship/community-building. Other focus areas may be explored based on the giftings and experience of the Associate Pastor and the current needs of the church.

Qualifications: 

Character:

  • The most important and essential character qualities of a pastor are outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9

  • We seek a servant-hearted Christ-follower, grounded in prayer and the Scriptures and gifted to preach God’s word with wisdom and authority

  • We welcome a variety of personality styles and giftings. Our congregation values compassion, teachability, humility and the ability to relate well to and connect with people of all ages

Education & Experience: 

  • Completion of an M.Div degree

  • Ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America, (or any NAPARC denomination), or be in immediate pursuit of ordination

  • Reformed in theology as articulated in the Westminster Standards

  • 3-5 years of ordained or relevant ministry experience preferred 

  • Experience and passion for leading and developing youth and/or young adult ministries preferred

Primary Roles & Responsibilities: 

  • Preaching at least once a month (with the ability to grow in this area/be mentored by a gifted preacher)

  • Teaching adult and youth Sunday school; Cultivating a readiness in the congregation to share the gospel in various callings and contexts

  • Assisting in leading the worship service and administering the sacraments 

  • Overseeing the nurture and development of youth and young adult ministries through relationship building, large and small group activities and retreats, mentorship, outreach and parent engagement

  • Building connectedness in community, equipping the congregation to make, mobilize and multiply disciples at every age and stage (see our Discipleship Blueprint on our website for more on this), encouraging service to the church and community

  • Shepherding the congregation through the means of relational connection, pastoral care and counsel 

Other Responsibilities:

Participating in all Session meetings, attending weekly staff meetings and other staff functions as necessary. Assisting in support of the diaconate, staff, ministry leaders and committees. As a member of the Southern New England Presbytery, serving on committees and commissions as time allows.

Additional areas of focus (based on gifts/interests/church needs) could include:

Global Missions, Local Outreach, Christian Education, Community Groups, Church Planting, Music Team

Compensation & benefits: 

This is a full time, salaried position with benefits. We understand the high cost of living in the Boston area and strive to offer competitive compensation commensurate with experience.

To download the full Associate Pastor Search packet, please click here.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and/or MDF, and a preaching sample to
Pamela McLellan, search committee chairperson, at pastorsearch@centergrace.church.

We look forward to getting to know you!