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…