Groups Pastor (SLK)

The Groups Pastor leads the Groups ministry at one campus. They own how the Groups ministry is run locally, including their plans within the campus operating plan, their budget, their team, and the Serve Team who deliver them, while holding to the church-wide standards for Groups. This role supports Gateway’s vision for a church where people belong in authentic community rather than simply attend. Because Groups are the first line of care, the Groups Pastor also carries the day-to-day care of the campus, escalating needs that are beyond what a healthy Groups team can hold.

Principal Job Responsibilities:

• Leads Groups at one campus, owning its plan within the campus operating plan
• Delivers the church-wide standard for Groups locally, adapting the expression without changing the standard
• Recruits, hires, leads, trains, develops, and provides accountability for Groups team
• Builds and stewards the Serve Team for the ministry: recruiting, training, retention, and appreciation
• Owns the ministry budget for the area and spends within the approved threshold
• Pastors the people the ministry reaches, through care, prayer, and presence
• Participates in the cross-campus meeting for the ministry, led by the Area Leader Pastor, and raises local realities into it
• Reviews the measures for the ministry and acts on what they show
• Owns the campus's groups strategy: launches, terms, and the mix of group offerings
• Recruits, trains, and launches new group leaders, and grows the campus's group count
• Develops and sustains a co-leader and coach structure for cultivating new group leaders
• Leads leadership orientation and ongoing development for group leaders
• Develops a culture of belonging at the campus
• Partners with Campus Pastor on local outreach opportunities which will be expressed through groups
• Ensures care happens in groups, and coordinates with Care when needs run past what groups can carry
• Performs one-on-one pastoral care and counseling for congregants as needed
• Holds a ministerial license to minister, preach the gospel, and fulfill the work of serving God's kingdom, valid for the duration of pastoral ministry at Gateway Church, and carries spiritual authority within the church
• Serves the congregation by officiating weddings, funerals, baby dedications, communion, and other ministry services
• Is present and serving at weekend services and churchwide events as the ministry calendar requires, and is available to the congregation for pastoral care as needs arise
• Teaches through precept and by lifestyle example
• Performs other duties as assigned.

As a member of the Gateway Church team, this position is expected to support, recruit, and develop Serve Team members, and to serve alongside the broader team as ministry and organizational needs arise.

General Skills & Qualifications:

• A clear passion for Jesus and a strong biblical foundation
• Clear and effective communicator with both large and small groups
• Demonstrated ability to gather, develop, and deploy staff and volunteers
• Strong critical thinking, and the ability to manage ambiguity and lead others through change
• Able to recruit and develop volunteer leaders at volume, not just one at a time
• Understands how care is carried inside community, and when a need must be escalated
• Comfortable 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 the ability to hold several priorities at once
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn and function within new software and systems

Education/Certification(s):

• Four or more years of ministry experience - required
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience - required
• Licensed as a minister, or eligible to be licensed upon employment - required
• Prior experience in a multisite church environment - preferred

General Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit or stand for extended periods of time
• Occasionally kneel or crouch
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 10 lbs.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.

*This description is not all inclusive, and other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Gateway Church does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law as it applies to churches. However, Gateway Church does discriminate on the basis of religion.

Employment Requirement: Must be a member or become a member of Gateway Church upon employment.