Associate Pastor of Groups and Church Revitalization

Position Summary

We believe Jesus is the hope of the world and God’s primary means of spreading this good news is through the Church. Therefore, we want to disciple people to both follow Jesus and make other disciples. We also desire to be a part of what God is doing broadly in our community through church revitalization and replanting efforts. The Associate Pastor of Groups and Church Revitalization serves both ends. We believe group ministry is an ideal training environment to develop a leader, and it provides a relational context to build a core group; therefore, we see a twofold strategy for this role. This role will provide direct leadership and oversight for our groups ministry and also has a goal of being sent out, with a core group of our members, to help revitalize or replant another church in our community within a 2–5 year window. We consider this a developmental role, where the hope is that the actual leadership of the groups ministry provides a context for training and equipping of the pastor with the skills and abilities they will need to lead a congregation.

This position requires the ability to manage and direct a large system, lead leaders, welcome people not familiar with the Christian Faith, initiate conversations, provide counsel, assess and respond to immediate needs, think strategically, teach, communicate compelling vision, identify and develop new leaders, cultivate a healthy culture, resolve conflicts, steward resources, and lead courageously. In addition, the position requires a desire to grow, be trained, and be sent out of our current context to be part of a new and revitalizing work in our community.

Groups Responsibilities

• Provide vision and directional leadership for groups in keeping with Hope’s vision and values.
• Oversee the structure and operations of groups ensuring that our strategies cultivate transformation and health in line with our mission.
• Provide and/or produce resources for groups (i.e. curriculums, discussion guides, etc.) that move people toward our discipleship target.
• Oversee the process of multiplying new groups that both welcomes new people into our community and trains them to practice our goals for community (currently articulated as study scripture together, prayer, practicing honest unburdening/confession, and reminding each other of our identity in Christ).
• Identify, assess, train, and launch new group leaders in order to multiply groups.
• Produce and/or provide leader resources that equip and empower our group leaders to lead their people in discussion and application in their group.
• Communicate with other staff, pastors, and lay leaders in order to coordinate care for individuals through our groups.
• Work with other staff and leaders to develop the Annual Plan. This includes ensuring that the vision and strategy for groups is integrated with the larger needs and focus of the church.

Revitalization Responsibilities

• Participate in general pastoral responsibilities and duties (i.e. leadership, teaching, counseling, etc.) both to shepherd our people and to provide a context for growth and development.
• Participate in the preaching on Sunday mornings.
• Participate in the teaching of equipping classes.
• Grow in personal awareness and perspective for church revitalization and replanting.
• Develop a core group to help revitalizing efforts (this would be something that happens around the second year, but the initial relational investment can and should build towards this).
• Develop a strategy within our city and associational network to identify opportunities and needs for revitalization and replanting.

Staff Expectations

• Growing relationship with God marked by personal transformation.
• Meet the qualifications of an elder from 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9.
• Meet regularly with the Lead Pastor for coaching and accountability to accomplish stated goals.
• Participate in staff development.
• Help support and fulfill the mission, values, and goals of Hope Community Church.
• Adhere to Hope’s membership commitments and doctrinal statement.
• Regular presence during Sunday services.
• Conduct membership interviews.

Pay and Benefits

• Full time salary commensurate with experience and education.
• Benefits will be in accordance with our staff policies for full-time employees.
• Vacation time, Personal Days, and Ministry Days will be in accordance with the staff handbook and procedures for the church staff. Personal Development funds and opportunities will be available based upon approval from the Personnel Team.

Qualifications

• MDiv or educational equivalent
• 3+ years of ministry experience