Position Description for Associate Rector at Christ Episcopal Church
Whoever you are and wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome at Christ Church
Christ Episcopal Church is seeking a creative and motivated Associate Rector who is dedicated to teaching and preaching the gospel, celebrating every beloved child of God, and enjoys working with children, youth and young adults. Our Rector seeks a partner in ministry who will collaborate with her and the lay leadership of the church.
The ideal candidate will have some experience working with children and youth, as well as social justice/community engagement and leadership in Christian formation.
Responsibilities and Expectations
- Assisting the Rector with management of the day-to-day operations of the church.
- Overseeing and organization of social justice ministries.
- Implementing Invite, Welcome and Connect with the help of our lay leaders.
- Congregational community building including Christian Formation.
- Attending weekly staff meetings.
- Participating in congregational and diocesan activities, events, and liturgies.
- Working with our children’s minister to reimagine our children and youth ministry.
- Assisting with our already thriving young adult ministry and fostering lay leadership.
- Being a liaison for LGBTQ+ parishioners.
The Associate will share responsibility for the following:
- Regular preaching and presiding. Sunday morning service is at 10:00 am. Noon Eucharist takes place on Wednesdays. Evensong and other services as scheduled.
- Pastoral Care.
- Leading Bible studies and other formation classes.
Skills, Gifts, and Passions for Ministry
The successful candidate will have:
- A love of people and desire to know them better.
- Grounding in Scripture and in the traditions of the Episcopal Church; as well as a wiliness to be flexible in the liturgy.
- Desire to learn from others, especially the members of the congregation.
- Ability to admit that we are all wrong sometimes and engage in honest and thoughtful dialogue on those occasions.
- Willingness to try things, even when they may fail.
- Examples of times that they have supported others and empowered lay leadership
- Excellent communication skills, especially in preaching, teaching, writing
- Excellent organizational and management skills
- An ability to find humor in the most challenging times as well as the compassion to meet people in their darkest and scariest moments
Salary and Benefits
Full-time position with salary and benefits in accordance with diocesan standards
Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and digital access to recent sermons to the rector, The Rev. Samantha Vincent-Alexander at svincentalexander@christchurchphila.org.
About Christ Episcopal Church
We are a community of seekers; Christians who are thirsty for knowledge and passionate about their faith, especially how their faith operates in the public sphere. We are a multigenerational group of people committed to offering an authentic welcome to all of God’s children. We are an LGBTQ+ affirming and welcoming parish. Christ Church is sometimes referred to as the “mother church” of the Episcopal Church because the first presiding bishop, William White, was the rector of Christ Church and was very much a part of crafting the identity of the Episcopal Church. We welcome thousands of visitors every year to our worship and visitor programming. We gather with love in our beautiful Georgian worship space and with awe of the history we inherit; and we work to grow God’s beloved community in the world. Our 20th rector has been in place for two and a half years and the church is experiencing steady growth.
About our Neighborhood –Old City
Old City in Philadelphia blends colonial charm with a lively, modern energy. It’s home to iconic landmarks like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, where the early chapters of American history unfolded. Cobblestone streets, brick rowhouses, and tucked-away courtyards give the neighborhood a timeless feel, while galleries, cafés, and boutiques keep it vibrant. It’s one of those places where the past and present sit comfortably side by side.