Seeking Half-Time Pastor

Sojourn Mennonite, an Anabaptist community in Fort Collins, Colorado, seeks a nontraditional, half-time pastor (0.5 FTE) for a three-year contract. Continuation beyond three years will depend upon growth and financial sustainability. The ideal candidate will thrive in intimate, interactive settings and be passionate about nurturing faith through relational ministry. We seek a pastor with strong leadership, relational, and organizational skills —someone who can effectively coordinate people, facilitate deep exploration of spiritual topics, provide compassionate care for the congregation, and foster community growth. Additionally, successful candidates will demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and preferably have experience planting, re-planting, and/or intentionally growing churches.

Sojourn is an inclusive Anabaptist group that prioritizes peace, community and justice efforts motivated by authentic relationships with God and a desire to bring about God’s Kingdom on Earth. Sojourn embraces active participation from all congregants, according to their gifts and interests, in worship services, leadership, administration, peace and social justice work, and growth/outreach. We are a small and vibrant community of 13 regular attendees, plus two children. We aim to grow to a sustainable size that still allows for close connection and participation.

Our faith community nurtures equally the inward and outward journeys of our congregants. We practice a nontraditional approach to worship, weaving together elements of traditional services—such as hymns, prayers, welcome statements, children’s time, and communion—with small-group discussions that foster deep connections and open dialogue. Rather than centering worship around a conventional sermon, our services invite attendees to explore relevant spiritual themes together, guided by a discussion facilitator from within the congregation. Our gatherings take place both in-person and online through Zoom, ensuring accessibility. We currently meet twice a month, complemented by periodic social events, and are open to exploring more frequent and creative ways of gathering. Beyond worship services, we also support each other during times of joy and sorrow, deepening our relationships.

In balance with our inward journey of worshiping and learning together, Sojourn also values an active outward journey, involving peace and social justice work as well as growth/outreach initiatives. Congregants participate in peace and social justice work through initiatives directly organized by our community and through volunteering in local organizations. We also seek to grow our community through intentional outreach efforts, fostering long-term sustainability. We envision Sojourn’s pastor being an active part of our faith community’s social justice work and facilitating growth/outreach initiatives along with lay leadership. 

Tasks will vary from week to week and include:

Inward Journey/Worship

  • Leading discussion once/month (possibly more)

  • Administering communion

  • Broader planning of themes/topics/children’s education

  • Coordinating volunteers to serve in roles related to worship and communications

Outward Journey/Peace and Social Justice/Growth

  • Participating in social justice initiatives and representing Sojourn in Fort Collins

  • Oversight and assistance with social media content

  • Working with lay leadership to organize and execute initiatives to increase Sojourn’s visibility and outreach efforts

Pastoral care as needed

  • Spiritual support related to significant life events such as major illness, death of a family member, birth of a child or other stressful experience

  • Leading services of dedications, baptism, marriage, and funerals

  • Working with lay leadership to support congregation members during challenging times and celebrations: personal notes, phone calls, organizing food, etc.

Administrative support

  • Serving as Sojourn’s primary point of contact in coordination with lay leaders

  • Coordinating with lay leadership to plan community-building social events for congregants

  • Participating in monthly meetings such as Worship Committee and Leadership Team

  • Consulting with the Treasurer on annual budgeting and providing support with stewardship initiatives

  • Providing connections to Mountain States Mennonite Conference, including encouragement of participation by Sojourn members

Compensation: This is a paid position with compensation provided according to Everence’s Pastor Salary Guidelines for Mennonite Church USA. Health insurance and retirement contributions are negotiable. Supportive professional expenses proportionate to the half-time nature of the position will be provided.

We will accept applications from interested candidates through June 1st.
Interested candidates should contact Conference Minister Amy Zimbelman at amyz@mountainstatesmc.org.