Scope of the ministry 

The pastor will establish and lead a new English-language worship community in Espoo. Responsibilities include conducting worship services and church ceremonies in English, organising baptism and confirmation instruction and other parish activities, and participating in school cooperation. The work also includes ministry at the multicultural community centre Chapple, located in the Iso Omena shopping mall. 

The pastor will work closely with local parishes in English-language ministry and be part of the wider multilingual ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Helsinki region. A central aspect of the work is building relationships with people from diverse cultural backgrounds who use English as a shared language, and helping them find a spiritual home within the church. 

Requirements 

Applicants must be confirmed members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and eligible for appointment to the office of pastor.

The position requires: 

• excellent spoken English and good written English 
• good written and spoken Finnish 
• knowledge of church and parish work 
• leadership skills 
• experience in intercultural contexts 
• strong intercultural communication and teamwork skills.   

Terms of employment 

The position is classified in salary group 602, with a basic monthly salary of €3,900. A personal salary component based on work experience will be added. Other employment benefits include comprehensive occupational health care. The position is permanent. 

Application process 

The application period ends on 22 January 2026 at 15:00 p.m. Applications must be submitted in Finnish via the online KirkkoRekry: 
Englanninkielisen työn pastorin virka / Pastor for Ministry in English - Espoon hiippakunnan tuomiokapituli - KirkkoRekry 

Interviews will take place on 27 January 2026 in Chapple, the community centre of the Olari parish, located in the Iso Omena shopping mall.  

The appointment will be made by the Espoo Diocesan Chapter. 

Further information:  

Matti Peiponen, Expert in multicultural and international work, tel. +358 50 381 7629, matti.peiponen@evl.fi 

Antti Malinen, Vicar of Olari Parish, tel. +358 41 539 8778, antti.malinen@evl.fi 

Pilvi Keravuori, Notary of the Diocese, tel. +358 50 462 8616, pilvi.keravuori@evl.fi 

Olari Parish is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Parish Union of Espoo. The parish employs over 50 staff members, organised into multidisciplinary teams, serving over 26,500 parishioners in a diverse and constantly evolving urban environment.