Join Us in Ministry at The Etna Church
Seeking a Christ-centered, Bible-grounded pastor for a congregation experiencing renewed spiritual vitality
"Helping people move toward God"
Learn About This OpportunityThe Big Picture
The Etna Church is seeking a Christ-centered, Bible-grounded pastor who will joyfully shepherd a congregation experiencing renewed spiritual vitality. The pastor will guide us toward deeper discipleship, gospel-rooted community, and bold witness in the Upper Valley and beyond.
"We are praying for a pastor who loves Jesus, loves Scripture, and loves people."
We believe God is calling us to grow, not simply in number, but in spiritual hunger, biblical literacy, discipleship, and mission. We are praying for a pastor who shares that vision.
1791
Founded
60-100
Weekly Attendees
Non-
denominational
Identity
$50K-$70K
+ Parsonage
Church Context
The Etna Church is located in the small but vibrant village of Etna, New Hampshire, a historic farming community just minutes from Dartmouth College and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in the wider Upper Valley region.
Our History
Founded in 1791, our church has a long history of gospel witness, community presence, and support for global mission. Our beautiful 1826 brick building adds permanence to the community.
Though our history includes Baptist roots, our congregation now includes believers raised in many Christian traditions—Catholic, Lutheran, Bible Church, Episcopalian, Charismatic, and more.
Nondenominational Identity
Today, we are an nondenominational, multi-generational, and biblically grounded church family. We maintain unity around the essential doctrines of the historic Christian faith, as expressed in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.
We hold to the essential truths of the faith and aim for gospel centrality over denominational distinctives.
Our worship team blending hymns and contemporary music
Warm fellowship after Sunday services
"In recent years, our church embarked on a new journey of spiritual revitalization. We have witnessed growth in both our deeper understanding of Scripture and its promises and in the number of new believers and baptisms."
Many are experiencing a renewed hunger for God's Word—some for the first time, others with fresh eyes after years away. The tone is expectant, humble, and eager to grow.
Our Community
Though on the map it might appear to be "in the middle of nowhere," Etna is actually in the center of a vibrant and full cultural area loosely defined as the "Upper Valley."
The surrounding landscape is quintessentially New England, with covered bridges, cows and sheep grazing on fields outlined in old stone walls near the barns and old farmhouses, produce stands, country stores and country roads, and the classic town common anchored by the steepled church at one end.
Education & Medical
Hanover is home to Dartmouth College, and the adjacent town of Lebanon is home to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center—both about 15 minutes from our church.
Top-ranked public schools, Mid-Vermont Christian School (25 min), and Montessori options nearby.
Culture & Arts
Substantial cultural venues including the Hood Museum of Art, Hopkins Center for the Arts, and the kid-friendly Montshire Museum of Science.
Professional NYC opera in August, local theater troupes, and world-class speakers at Dartmouth.
Recreation
Abundant opportunities from winter sports to all-season access to lakes and trail networks. Dartmouth Skiway for downhill and Oak Hill for Nordic skiing.
Camp Sentinel Christian camp offers year-round retreat for pastors and families.
Village Life
Etna is a small, friendly town where children play outside and neighbors visit at the Post Office or the Country Store. There is a much-used playground and playing field adjacent to the church (and across the road from the parsonage!).
In short, this is a wonderful place to live, thrive and share the gospel with our neighbors!
2 hrs
to Boston
5 hrs
to NYC
Welcome to Sunday Morning
"Come as you are… physically, emotionally, spiritually."
Our unspoken message to all who enter
Before the Service
Our doors are open: this is a place where all are welcomed. Soon, our devoted, outgoing greeter is stationed at the door, welcoming newcomers and regular attendees alike, greeting each by name with her friendly smile.
Folks are hugging, visiting and catching up on the week just past. Our worship team may be practicing while our technical team sets up both the visuals and our online livestream.
Worship & Music
Our services last about an hour. Our worship team offers a variety of ways to worship the Lord, from traditional hymns with a lively piano, to contemporary Christian songs accompanied by guitars, electric keyboard, and even a banjo.
Our choir may offer special music. Occasionally, the "EGGS" sing ("Etna Gospel Group") and often invite participation by the congregation. The various musicians span ages from young adults to our older generation.
On the first Sunday of the month, our Deacons assist the pastor in serving Communion to anyone who wishes to partake.
Youth Classes
Partway through the service, we pray for our youth and they proceed to their classes: a nursery, an elementary age class, and a group for high schoolers, led by volunteer teachers. Our Youth Group meets two evenings a month for fellowship.
Preaching
Clear, Scripture-rooted preaching is our lifeblood. We avoid political commentary and focus on the gospel. Practical, Spirit-sensitive application is deeply appreciated. We value unity in essentials and charity in non-essentials.
The "Second Service"
Every week, the service is followed by a well-attended fellowship hour in Trumbull Hall. Coffee and treats brought by church-goers. Our pastor dubbed this time the "Second Service" because of the fellowship, connections and ministry of love that happens there.
Ministries & Missions
We have a strong and committed Missions Committee devoted to discovering missionary outreaches and supporting them both financially and emotionally—with letters, gifts, and prayer—keeping the congregation updated on their individual needs.
Many of the missionaries we support have visited our church in person, sharing a short message during the service and giving a more in-depth presentation during our fellowship hour.
Ministries & Missions We Support
Showers of Grace
Cru Military
Stand With Me
Rise Again Outreach
Camp Sentinel
Bryan & Lynette Smith
Global Servants
Tim & Marketa Southerland
Latin America
Christian Union Vox
Dartmouth College
Adult & Teen Challenge NH
Salvation Army
Berlin, NH
Fall Fest
Our popular annual community event
Community Suppers
Fellowship meals for all ages
Creche Display
Annual community nativity exhibition
Church Committees & Groups
Trustees
Oversees the physical assets of the church—buildings, grounds, and invested funds. Assisted by the Church Treasurer and members trained in finances. The church is financially secure and stable.
Deacons
Besides preparing and serving Communion monthly, this group of men and women care for members of both the church and community with prayers and practical help—delivering meals and visiting those in need.
Technology Team
A devoted team of tech-savvy congregants keeps our audio-visual and online presence up-to-date. Weekly volunteers run the online livestream and maintain our website and weekly email communications.
Outreach
Our church enjoys a reputation for friendliness and community activities—from Alpha sessions and Bible Studies to community suppers, the annual Fall Fest, and our Christmas creche exhibition.
Desired Pastoral Profile
We are seeking a pastor who embodies the following qualities:
Biblical Conviction
- • Christ-centered, confident in the gospel, and deeply rooted in Scripture as the authoritative Word of God
- • Demonstrates humility, spiritual maturity, and dependence on the Holy Spirit
- • Models prayerful discernment and godly decision-making
Character
- • Warm, approachable, and authentically engaged with others
- • Displays a positive, encouraging, and hopeful spirit
- • Not political in tone or agenda
- • Humble servant-leader
Discipleship
- • Passionate about cultivating personal and corporate faith growth within the congregation
- • Encourages curiosity, deep learning, and practical application of biblical truth in daily life
Leadership
- • A missionary, not a maintainer: eager to reach those who do not yet know Christ
- • A true evangelist with a heart to grow the church through relationship and witness
- • A team-builder who equips and delegates
- • Comfortable providing pastoral care in varied circumstances
Pastoral Duties & Compensation
Pastoral Duties
Preaching & Teaching
Prepare and deliver biblically faithful, Christ-centered sermons that encourage spiritual growth and daily application.
Worship Leadership
Lead and shape worship services in partnership with the worship team, centered on Christ, Scripture, prayer, and praise.
Discipleship & Formation
Foster personal and communal spiritual growth through mentoring, small groups, and teaching.
Pastoral Care
Provide compassionate presence, prayer, and counsel during times of need, sickness, grief, and life-change.
Administration
Offer guidance for church ministries and activities in partnership with leadership teams.
Special Services
Administer baptisms and communion; officiate weddings, funerals, and infant dedications.
Mission Support
Encourage prayerful support and active participation in local and global missions alongside our Missions Committee.
Compensation & Benefits
Annual Salary
$50,000 - $70,000
Commensurate with experience and education
Housing: The Parsonage
- ✓ Attractive, recently renovated 4-bedroom, 2-bath home
- ✓ 2-car garage, located across the street from the church
- ✓ All utilities and repairs paid by the church
- ✓ Internet service included
Additional Benefits
- ✓ Partial reimbursement of Social Security and Medicare taxes
- ✓ Medical insurance
- ✓ Contributions toward retirement plan
- ✓ Continuing education reimbursement
- ✓ 3-4 weeks paid vacation
- ✓ Relocation expenses paid
What We Believe
We are a Christ-centered, biblically grounded, nondenominational church.
We are home to a congregation comprised of people with rich and diverse spiritual backgrounds and at various points in our walks as Christians. We consider ourselves an nondenominational church, keeping central those truths that are central to the gospel.
Our gospel ecumenicism is rooted in the truths expressed in two ancient creeds of the church: the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.
"In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all else, charity."
— Nicolaus von Zinzendorf
This isn't easy and we don't do it perfectly. Nevertheless, by the grace of God, this is our aim.
Baptism—a celebration of new life in Christ
The Mission
The mission of our church is the same mission Jesus gave his followers:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
— Matthew 28:19
The Vision
The vision of our church is to create a community of authentic believers and to witness people transformed by the life-changing reality of the gospel, as they come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Our Church Covenant
This covenant, written in the 1970s, is recited by our members in unison every year at our Annual Meeting.
✦ To shun the ways of sin and pursue the ways of holiness.
✦ To walk together in love, to exercise mutual care and watchfulness, to be slow to give or take offense, and to be tender of each other's persons, characters, and estates.
✦ To sustain the meetings of the church, not unnecessarily forsaking the assembling of ourselves on the Lord's day.
✦ To study the Word of God, to pray for ourselves, for our Church, and for the world.
✦ To live circumspectly, being just in our dealings, generous in our sympathies, benevolent in our actions, charitable in our judgments.
✦ To bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, the children entrusted to our care.
"Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, to Him be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ, to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
United in prayer and faith