Associate Pastor

Waters Edge Family•Grand Rapids, MI

1d•$63,000

About The Position

The Associate Pastor of Formation shares leadership and oversight of the church’s discipleship and spiritual formation efforts with the church’s other Associate Pastor of Formation. Together they guide our community in the way of Jesus through intentional practices and meaningful biblical community. Both Associate Pastors will bring a deep passion for transformation and disciple making while providing vision, leadership, and support for formational initiatives across the church. This Associate Pastor of Formation role provides oversight and leadership for the specific responsibilities listed below. Each Associate Pastor of Formation will aid the other in there areas of oversight and leadership as needed, but will have the responsibility to lead and execute their specific roles within the Discipleship and Formation Department. As a member of the TLC Pastoral Staff, the Associate Pastor of Formation works closely with the Lead Pastor, Executive Pastor, and other Associate Pastor of Formation to ensure alignment with the church’s mission. This role also oversees church communications by leading the Communications Coordinator to ensure clear, compelling, and mission- aligned messaging and design.

Requirements

A personal relationship with Jesus Christ that results in a life lived in obedience to the will of God as described in the Word of God, evidenced by the Fruit of the Spirit
Is supportive and loyal to staff members and the church body
Displays genuine servant-hood, faith-centeredness, and spiritual maturity
Spiritual gifts of teaching, leadership, shepherding
Desires to be around people and develop relationships with others
Expresses flexibility, cooperation and teach-ability
Forward thinker; self-directed; team oriented; organized
Sense of humor, trustworthy and exhibits wise discretion
Embraces the vision, direction and beliefs of The Local Church GR and has a heart for the Kingdom
Self-starter, willing to run with projects and assignments, thinking ahead and planning accordingly
Demonstrated ability to create sermons/series and teach regularly.
Demonstrated ability to recruit, lead, and manage people (especially volunteers).
Demonstrated ability to learn new software/technology and utilize it appropriately.
Experience of 5-7 years of relevant ministry experience (with 2-3 years regular teaching experience).
Experience working with teams and overseeing groups of people.

Nice To Haves

Preferred Seminary education.

Responsibilities

Local Groups
Coach, care, and cast vision for the flourishing of Local Group leaders.
Recruit and train new group leaders and launch new groups twice a year (50-100 people).
Invest in, equip and resource current groups and leaders (currently 25-30 groups).
Develop, cast vision for and train leaders in spiritual practices (Local Group curriculum/focus).
Oversee the Formation Pathway and how it is implemented within the church (growing and changing it where needed). Partner with other Associate Pastor to ensure alignment for all formation and disciple making initiatives throughout the church.
Plan and implement various electives for the congregation that focus on discipleship and formation and be the gatekeeper to decide what and who should lead and teach these groups.
Baptism preparation and follow up.
Pastoral Care (weddings, funerals, premarital counseling, ministry congregational care)
Responsible for oversight and development of the Ownership Pathway
Part of the teaching team to help develop sermon series (help organize, research and write series overviews, maintain yearly teaching calendar plan).
Provide input and help implement sermon series design work (with Live Design).
Meet with Lead Pastor (and others as needed) for sermon review and input.
Preach for main services at TLC and/or Beloved Church 3-6x per year.
Oversee the creation of weekly, simple, sermon based Local Group discussion guides.
Provide teaching, coaching and encouragement to Local Group leaders.
Provide teaching and training as part of the Ownership Pathway.
Oversee Ownership process; maintain and develop where needed.
Organize and execute the annual survey and share results.
Oversight of resources and special events for Church Calendar Seasons (Advent and Lent/Ash Wednesday specifically)
Other ministry initiatives as needed.
Oversee Missions with an eye for strategic implementation of Local and Global Missions.
Oversee and direct the Communications Coordinator role
Oversee branding and design direction, refine current brand/style guide
Provide regular support through meetings/conversations/planning/trouble-shooting.
Provide overall vision and give input and direction for ministry work.
Provide guidance for growth and development in the role.
Provide design and graphic art projects (as needed).