Job Summary:
The Next Steps Pastor owns the pathway people walk at one campus—from first-time guest to connected, serving member. This role is responsible for designing and leading the local Next Steps experience, including its plan within the campus operating plan, budget, Serve Team, and team members who bring it to life, while ensuring alignment with Gateway’s church-wide Next Steps standards. The Next Steps Pastor makes each step clear and accessible, helping people know where to go next and encouraging them to continue taking meaningful steps as they grow in their faith and become increasingly connected to the life and mission of Gateway.
Principal Job Responsibilities:
Leads Next Steps at one campus, owning its plan within the campus operating plan
Delivers the church-wide standard for Next Steps locally, adapting the expression without changing the standard
Recruits, hires, leads, trains, develops, and provides accountability for Next Steps 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
Reviews ministry metrics and makes decisions accordingly
Owns the campus's assimilation path from first-time guest to connected and serving member tracking individual movement through each stage
Leads Starting Point at the campus, including its sessions, environments, and volunteer teams
Oversees baptisms, membership, and new-member onboarding at the campus
Owns first-time guest follow-up and connection card response, and ensures requests reach the right person
Follows up on salvation decisions and next steps, ensuring anyone who makes a decision for Christ or indicates a next step receives timely, personal contact and is connected to the appropriate next step
Partners with Groups and with ministry leaders so that people who take a next step find community
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 biblical principles 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
Systems-minded, with the ability to design and hold a path people actually move through
Warm and approachable with guests and new members
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…