Rector Search
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Chicago is NOW accepting applications for our next rector.
To learn more about the rector position, please download our parish profile.
To apply, please complete the Clergy Form for Transitions by October 8, 2025.
St. John’s is an energetic, welcoming, and thriving congregation with a deep passion for authentic and transformative spirituality, community engagement, and inclusion of all who come through our doors. With numerous lay led initiatives and ministries, St. John’s has experienced steady growth. Our top priorities include navigating the transition from pastoral to program size, strengthening formation for all ages, and deepening community partnerships. We seek a rector who is a motivational preacher as well as a strategic and savvy thinker, demonstrates empathy and care, and has a joyful spirit and wants to laugh and dream with us.
St. John’s is located on the northwest side of Chicago in the beautiful and diverse Old Irving Park neighborhood. Shopping as well as numerous restaurants are within walking distance, and downtown Chicago with all of its amenities is a short drive or train ride away.
Our Rector Search Committee is:
Christina Calvit
Rich Gage (co-chair)
Frank Gaytan
Chris Horlacher
Melissa Kanter
Jason Martin
Amy Meadows
Laura Singer (co-chair)
The rector search process began with a period of Self-Assessment. In the next phase, we enter a time of Discernment, in which the search committee interviews candidates and recommends one candidate to the vestry. The vestry will spend some time with the candidate and if they agree, call the candidate as our next rector.
In the Spring, we collected information from the CAT (Congregation Assessment Tool) – that 141 parishioners completed – and the seven Small Group Meetings – attended by 41 parishioners – and used that information over the summer to draft the Parish Profile (description of our parish and our ideal rector) and OTM (Office for Transition Ministry) Portfolio for the Congregation (rector salary/benefits, congregation statistics, and responses to a number of questions). Our rector position was opened for applications on August 8, 2025.
For more information, contact the search team chairs.
Almighty and everliving God,
source of all wisdom and understanding,
be present with those who will take on the work
of searching for the next rector of St. John’s.
Teach all of us in all things to seek first your honor and glory.
Guide us to perceive what is right,
and grant us both the courage to pursue it
and the grace to accomplish it;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
-Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer