Find & Apply For Religious Leader / Professional Jobs in Mattoon, Illinois

A congregation with momentum, praying for a shepherd First Baptist Church of Mattoon, Illinois, has been a gospel presence in central Illinois since 1863. We are a multigenerational congregation of 500+ members with average weekly worship attendance near 291 — a number that has grown in recent years. We are debt-free, financially healthy, and we finance our capital work through fundraising and savings rather than borrowing. Our previous pastor served faithfully for thirteen years before retiring in 2026, and we are prayerfully seeking the next pastor to walk alongside us. Our mission is simple and it shapes everything: Come. Grow. Go. Come, worship God. Grow in Christ. Go in His Spirit. Who we are We are a congregation shaped by the authority of Scripture, with strong Bible teaching at the center of our life together. Worship is blended — an adult choir, handbells, and familiar hymns alongside a praise team and contemporary songs, with organ, piano, guitar, drums, and more. Children participate in worship, and a few times a year they lead the service entirely. Communion is served monthly, and an invitation is extended weekly. Beyond Sunday, our people are engaged: Sunday School, small group Bible studies, AWANA, Vacation Bible School, American Baptist Men, Women Connections, and American Baptist Youth. Four of five members who responded to our search survey are active in a Bible study, small group, or Sunday School class. Missions is not a line item for us; it is an identity. We support individual missionaries directly and partner locally with the Mattoon Community Food Center, Choices Pregnancy & Health, the School Backpack program, the Haven homeless shelter, disaster relief, Operation Christmas Child, and One Stop Community Christmas. Our volunteers provide weekend meals for children at the elementary school directly across the street. What our congregation is asking of its next pastor From our search survey of 117 congregants, in their own words: Strong biblical teaching that is challenging and applies to everyday life A shepherd's attitude and leadership; genuine pastoral care Skill in ministering across a multigenerational congregation Inspiring and challenging preaching grounded in Scripture Motivating and encouraging congregational involvement in ministries and studies Attracting new members while retaining existing ones A strong, steady presence and spiritual guidance in navigating current issues Visible involvement with community groups and partnerships in Mattoon How we are organized First Baptist operates under congregational polity in the American Baptist tradition. Ministry is directed through boards and committees — Diaconate, Trustees, Christian Education, Missions, Finance, Pastoral Relations, and Programs & Activities — coordinated by the Church Council. Our congregation expects the pastor to take leadership while working collaboratively within this structure. The pastoral call is extended by vote of the congregation. First Baptist Church is an American Baptist congregation, and our denominational affiliation is a settled part of who we are, not a background detail. Our congregation places strong emphasis on our relationships within American Baptist Churches USA and the Great Rivers Region, and on our giving to American Baptist national and world mission. We expect our next pastor to honor that affiliation and to nurture a continuing, healthy relationship with both the denomination and the Region — participating in regional life, supporting American Baptist mission channels, and helping our people understand and value the wider body we belong to. Mattoon Mattoon is a welcoming community of roughly 17,000 in east central Illinois, with strong public schools, nearby colleges, quality healthcare, and a full calendar of festivals and local celebrations. It is a place where people still wave hello and mean it. Church Profile You can view the full church profile for this opportunity by clicking here: First Baptist Church of Mattoon

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Preferred:

An ordained American Baptist minister in good standing with the American Baptist Churches USA. Candidates from other denominational backgrounds will be given full consideration provided they meet each of the following: An earned Master of Divinity from a seminary or divinity school accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) A letter of ecclesiastical endorsement from their current denomination attesting that they are ordained and in good standing Willingness to submit to a pre-employment background screening Character and professional references, together with a detailed work history Willingness to sign and abide by the American Baptist Churches Code of Ethics for Ministerial Leaders A willingness to honor this congregation's American Baptist affiliation and to nurture a continuing healthy relationship with American Baptist Churches USA and the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region Pre-employment background screening, references, and a detailed work history are required of all candidates regardless of denominational background. This expectation regarding our denominational affiliation and regional relationships applies to every candidate, whatever their background.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

First Baptist Church is committed to offering an attractive and competitive compensation package based on education, experience, and need, comparable to similarly sized churches in the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region.

The package includes:

Housing allowance Medical insurance allowance Comprehensive retirement plan (403b) Social Security offset Four weeks paid vacation annually Two weeks continuing education / spiritual retreat leave Maternity / paternity leave Church vehicle Reimbursement for continuing education, professional expenses, cell phone, church-related travel, and personal technology equipment Reasonable relocation expenses The church is open to sabbatical leave as a tool for long-term health and ministry effectiveness, with timing and structure determined by mutual agreement

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, current resume or ministry profile, and a link to a recent sermon to: Rev. Dr. Rob Kirbach , Associate Executive Minister American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region 200 West 3rd Street, Suite 409, Alton, IL 62002 rob@abcgrr.org • (217) 726-7366 x13 First Baptist Church of Mattoon operates under congregational polity in the American Baptist tradition. The call is extended by vote of the congregation.