Qualities Desired in the Next Lead Pastor for the Mud Creek Campus

At Geist Christian Church, we are prayerfully seeking a Lead Pastor for the Mud Creek Campus who is both spiritually grounded and relationally gifted—someone who can help us grow in faith, deepen our community, and engage the world with Christ’s love.

We desire a leader with experience—someone who brings wisdom gained through ministry and life, yet remains open to learning, growth, and innovation. Our next Lead Pastor will balance spiritual maturity with genuine curiosity: asking thoughtful questions, exploring new ideas, and encouraging us to do the same.

Building relationships with children and families is essential. We believe children are not just the future of the church—they are the church now. We hope for a pastor who is present with our youngest members and supportive of their parents and caregivers, creating a church culture where all generations thrive together.

We value someone who brings joy, compassion, and a good sense of humor—traits that help people feel safe, welcomed, and at ease. Ministry is sacred work, but it’s also deeply human. A warm presence and a ready laugh go a long way in building trust and connection.

Our church has a meaningful tradition, and we are looking for someone who respects our past while helping us embrace the future—a pastor who will honor where we’ve been, listen deeply to who we are, and walk alongside us into what’s next.

Preaching matters here—not just as a weekly responsibility, but as a sacred moment of inspiration, teaching, and transformation. We seek a preacher whose sermons stir hearts, open minds, and encourage us to dig deeper into scripture and discipleship.

We also value someone who is fully present in the life of the church—not only on Sunday mornings, but in the everyday rhythms of fellowship and formation. From church dinners to children’s musicals to mission projects, we’re looking for a pastor who shows up with presence and enthusiasm.

Mission and outreach are in our DNA. We desire  for a leader who shares a heart for mission, service, and compassion—someone who can lead us into deeper engagement with the needs of our community and the world.

Pastoral care is a vital part of this role. We are looking for someone who can walk gently with people through every season of life—especially in times of illness, transition, and grief. Experience in supporting individuals and families through the stages of grief is especially valued.

Finally, we are a church that values collaboration. We seek a pastor who embraces a team-based approach—someone who can lead alongside others, empower lay leaders, and work with staff in a spirit of mutual respect and shared vision.

We seek a Lead Pastor who has a minimum of a Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary and is ordained in or has standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The successful candidate should have served 7-10 years in ministry, ideally with experience serving in a multi-staff congregation.

If you feel led to explore this calling, please submit a Letter of Interest to gccsearch@geistchristian.org and complete your Search and Call paperwork and submit it through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Indiana Regional Office. The search committee will send you the full congregational profile.

October 17, 2025 Update from the Search Committee

With our congregational profile completed and other Regional requirements fulfilled, our Search Committee is now ready to receive paperwork from interested candidates. All candidates will submit a Letter of Interest to Geist Christian Church and complete their Search and Call paperwork through the Regional Office.

We invite you to join us in prayer for our committee and our church as we seek God’s guidance in this important season of discernment. Your insights and reflections are deeply valued. If you feel led to share your thoughts, please email the committee at gccsearch@geistchristian.org.

Together, we trust that God’s Spirit will guide us as we seek to discover the next chapter in our church’s ministry.

With gratitude and hope,
The Search Committee