Next Steps Pastor (SLK)

Gateway Community & Technical College•Southlake, TX

About The Position

The Next Steps Pastor owns the pathway people walk at one campus, from first-time guest to connected, serving member. The role designs and leads the local Next Steps experience, including its plan within the campus operating plan, budget, Serve Team, and team members, while ensuring alignment with Gateway’s church-wide Next Steps standards. The pastor makes each step clear and accessible, helping people understand where to go next and encouraging meaningful steps as they grow in faith and become more connected to Gateway’s life and mission. The role leads and develops staff and volunteers, stewards the ministry budget, pastors people through care, prayer, and presence, and uses ministry metrics to guide decisions. It oversees the campus assimilation path, Starting Point, baptisms, membership, new-member onboarding, guest follow-up, connection-card responses, and follow-up for salvation decisions and other next steps. The pastor partners with Groups and ministry leaders to help people find community. The position requires a ministerial license, or eligibility to be licensed upon employment, and carries spiritual authority within the church. The pastor serves the congregation through ministry services, weekend services, churchwide events, pastoral care, biblical teaching, and other duties as assigned. As a Gateway Church team member, the position is expected to support, recruit, and develop Serve Team members and serve alongside the broader team as ministry and organizational needs arise.

Requirements

A clear passion for Jesus and a strong biblical foundation.
Clear and effective communication with large and small groups.
Demonstrated ability to gather, develop, and deploy staff and volunteers.
Strong critical-thinking skills and ability to manage ambiguity and lead others through change.
Systems-minded, with the ability to design and maintain a path people move through.
Warm and approachable manner with guests and new members.
Comfort with holding others accountable with clarity and care.
Demonstrated emotional and relational intelligence.
Willingness and ability to engage in courageous conversations.
Strong time-management skills and ability to manage several priorities at once.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn and use new software and systems.
Four or more years of ministry experience.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Licensed as a minister, or eligible to be licensed upon employment.
Ability to meet the listed physical demands: sit or stand for extended periods, occasionally kneel or crouch, frequently lift and/or move up to 10 lbs., and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a multisite church environment.

Responsibilities

Lead Next Steps at one campus and own its plan within the campus operating plan.
Deliver the church-wide Next Steps standard locally, adapting its expression without changing the standard.
Recruit, hire, lead, train, develop, and provide accountability for the Next Steps Team.
Build and steward the ministry Serve Team, including recruitment, training, retention, and appreciation.
Own the ministry budget and spend within the approved threshold.
Pastor people reached by the ministry through care, prayer, and presence.
Participate in the cross-campus ministry meeting led by the Area Leader Pastor.
Review ministry metrics and make decisions accordingly.
Own the campus assimilation path from first-time guest to connected and serving member, tracking individual movement through each stage.
Lead Starting Point at the campus, including its sessions, environments, and volunteer teams.
Oversee baptisms, membership, and new-member onboarding at the campus.
Own first-time guest follow-up and connection-card responses, ensuring requests reach the appropriate person.
Follow up on salvation decisions and next steps with timely, personal contact and connect people to the appropriate next step.
Partner with Groups and ministry leaders so people taking a next step can find community.
Hold a ministerial license to minister, preach the gospel, and serve God's kingdom; maintain it for the duration of pastoral ministry at Gateway Church.
Serve the congregation by officiating weddings, funerals, baby dedications, communion, and other ministry services.
Be present and serve at weekend services and churchwide events as required by the ministry calendar, and be available for pastoral care as needs arise.
Teach through biblical principles and lifestyle example.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Support, recruit, and develop Serve Team members and serve alongside the broader team as ministry and organizational needs arise.