Position Summary:
The Care & Connections Pastor helps people find and follow Jesus by developing an expanding network of group leaders, coaches, and care volunteers. This pastor oversees both the Community Groups ministry and congregational care, creating environments where people pursue healthy relationships and spiritual growth, and also ensuring that we have effective connections pathways as people are taking steps in their faith. This role also leads the execution of short-term group experiences and ensures that every person at Real Life has a place to belong and someone to walk alongside them through every season of life.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

Groups Leadership & Development

Work with the Groups Pastor to recruit, train, and develop Group Leaders, Coaches, and Short-Term Group Leaders
Meet with prospective leaders, identify apprentices, and guide them through the launch process
Interview potential leaders and prepare them for launching and leading healthy groups
Regularly cast the vision for Groups engagement to all RLC attendees
Help lead the planning and execution of Group Launch environments throughout the year
Connect people into Community Groups and Short-Term Groups
Coach Group Leaders through their community group life cycle
Monitor health, effectiveness, and duration of Community Groups
Oversee registration, promotion, and placement for all Community and Short-Term Groups

Congregational Care

Provide pastoral care and oversight for people in crisis, grief, illness, or significant life transition
Develop and lead a lay care team or equivalent volunteer care structure
Partner with staff and group leaders to identify and respond to care needs within the congregation
Coordinate hospital visits, crisis response, and follow-up pastoral care
Collaborate with outside counseling resources and make referrals when appropriate
Serve in pastoral responsibilities including Pastor on Call, funerals, weddings, and premarital classes

Connections

Develop, implement and oversee an effective baptism follow up plan
Oversee a first-time guest experience that is exciting, unique and welcoming
Own Discover events, focusing on an effective follow up process that helps people take the proper next step in their faith journey
Ensure that all departments are working together so that no one falls through the cracks and we are connecting people to their purpose at every opportunity

Team & Systems Development

Contribute to the vision and direction of Groups and Care
Help develop and oversee the writing of all Group curriculum
Create new systems and strategies to develop Group Leaders
Implement the Community Playbook and Leadership Pipeline
Work with Group Leaders to keep group data current in the website and church database
Oversee group communications and help manage the Groups budget
Work in partnership with the Groups Pastor
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Adult Ministry Pastor

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):
Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree or higher in ministry, theology, counseling, or a related field AND/OR a minimum of 3 years' experience in pastoral-level leadership
Licensed, commissioned, or ordained as a minister strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience recruiting and developing volunteer leaders
Background in small groups ministry, congregational care, or equivalent pastoral role

Knowledge & Skills:

Authenticity, strong moral character, and integrity
Ability to galvanize volunteer-predominant teams to operate at a high level of excellence
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to speak effectively before groups, volunteers, and church attenders
Passion for fostering community and inspiring others in their faith
Openness to consistently connecting with new people
Growing knowledge in theology, biblical studies, evangelism, and discipleship
Humility, timeliness, flexibility, and adaptability
Diligence in holding team members accountable
Successful completion of an extensive background check including professional and character references

Spiritual Requirements:

Regular involvement in RLC activities and events
Signed acknowledgment of Real Life Church's Statement of Faith and Staff Covenant/Lifestyle Agreement
Exhibits a personal devotional life that is consistent and meaningful
Practices biblical stewardship in personal finances
Certified and trained to lead funerals, premarital classes, and officiate weddings
Ability to assist and guide people through various life stages and transitions

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Real Life Church

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Care & Connections Pastor