Associate Pastor in Cairns, Queensland
The Lakes Church in Cairns, Queensland, is seeking applications for an Associate Pastor to join our team. We’re looking for someone to make a leadership contribution, focusing on one or more of the areas below, to help us love people and invite them to join us in a growing relationship with Jesus.
We’re looking for someone who loves Jesus, loves people, and will bring their gifts to serve with joy and diligence. Whether you’re an experienced pastor or just beginning your leadership journey, we’d love to hear from you to explore what contribution you could make to our team.
This is a three or four day per week role with remuneration following Churches of Christ in Queensland guidelines. Relocation costs will be negotiated for those outside of the Cairns region. Applicants must already have the right to work in Australia, hold or be eligible for a Queensland Working With Children Check (Blue Card) and Police Check, and be willing to be endorsed as a Ministering Person with Churches of Christ in Queensland.
As an Associate Pastor, you will contribute to the wider pastoral and leadership life of The Lakes Church. We are casting a wide net during the application phase, and we will work with you to clarify leadership responsibility in at least one of the primary areas below. Depending on gifting and capacity, there are additional opportunities to contribute in areas such as preaching, service hosting, event management, graphic design and communication.
Connections & Hospitality
A warm and intentional leader, you are passionate about helping people feel seen, welcomed, and connected into the life of the church. You will lead our Connections and Hospitality ministries, equipping teams who serve across welcome, info desk, hospitality, and midweek follow-up. With a people-focused and systems-aware approach, you will help ensure guests and regular attenders alike are supported to take meaningful next steps in community and discipleship.
Generations & Families
A relational leader with a heart for people of all ages, you are passionate about seeing faith formed, nurtured, and passed on from one generation to the next. You will provide leadership across our Generations ministries, supporting children, young people, parents, and carers, and equipping volunteer leaders to create safe, welcoming, and faith-shaping environments. You bring pastoral sensitivity, organisational clarity, and a clear vision for how families can grow together in their life with Jesus.
Worship & Creative Arts
A creative and collaborative leader who models authentic worship, you are passionate about helping people encounter God through gathered worship. You will provide pastoral and strategic leadership to our Worship and Creative Arts ministries, investing in musicians, singers, technicians, and creatives, and building healthy, sustainable teams. You bring leadership capacity with a heart to develop others and a desire to see creativity serve the mission of the church and shape meaningful, engaging Sunday gatherings.
HOW TO APPLY
Send your application for this role by Monday 16th March, 2026 to geoffs@thelakes.org.au. Applications will be assessed as they are received. Please limit your cover letter to one page and attach your resumé along with the contact details of three referees (including a church pastor).
ABOUT THE LAKES CHURCH
The Lakes Church (www.thelakes.church) is a vibrant, multi-generational church with a 55 year history in Cairns. We are part of Churches of Christ in Queensland. We are a community of over 400 people with a heart for loving people and inviting them to join us in a growing relationship with Jesus. The successful applicant for these roles will work with our small team of pastors, team leaders and interns.
ABOUT CAIRNS
Cairns is a friendly tropical city with a casual, relaxed atmosphere. A two-hour flight from Brisbane, it is a nature-lover’s paradise, situated perfectly between the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree and Wet Tropics rainforest and the Atherton Tablelands. Cairns is a modern city of approximately 180,000 people with a vibrant arts and cultural scene and thriving café and dining precincts. |
