Pastor/Director of Next Steps & Connections

PASTOR/DIRECTOR OF NEXT STEPS & CONNECTIONS JOB TITLE

Pastor/Director of Next Steps & Connections

REPORTS TO

Executive Pastor

HOURS/WEEK

Full-time, Salaried

FLSA DESIGNATION

Exempt

STAFF CATEGORY

Pastoral Staff

ILLUMINATE'S OVERALL MISSION

We are called to love all people, make disciples, and empower them to be on mission for God.

ILLUMINATE'S OVERALL VISION

Our vision is to be a "city on a hill" where the broken, hurting, and searching are drawn to the light and love of Jesus.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Illuminate Community Church is seeking a relational, systems-minded leader to serve as the Pastor/Director of Next Steps & Connections. This role is responsible for leading how people enter into and engage with the life of the church, from first-time guests to fully engaged members of the congregation. This includes oversight of all First Impressions and Guest Services environments, as well as the development of clear and effective pathways for individuals to connect, serve, and grow as disciples of Jesus. The goal is to ensure that every person who attends feels welcomed, known, and clearly invited into deeper community and next steps. In partnership with ministry leaders, this role will design, implement, and continually improve systems that move people from attending to belonging, and from belonging to active participation in the church's discipleship pathway. This includes leading volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and development, while building scalable processes that support engagement across the entire congregation. The ideal candidate combines relational warmth with strong leadership and organizational ability, and success in this role will be demonstrated by measurable movement of individuals into connection, service, and ongoing spiritual growth.

STRENGTHS AND ABILITIES

Interpersonal Effectiveness:

Relates exceptionally well with others and responds quickly and appropriately to their needs and feelings. They are warm and inviting, drawing people in.

Systems Thinker:

Ability to design, implement, and improve scalable systems that move people from first-time guest to fully engaged disciple. Understands how processes, people, and environments work together to create clear and effective next steps.

Strategic Mindset:

Able to think beyond individual events or tasks to build long-term strategies that improve guest engagement, volunteer development, and discipleship progression.

Volunteer Developer:

Passionate and effective at recruiting, training, and developing volunteers and leaders. Builds teams that are engaged, equipped, and empowered to lead others.

High-Capacity Executor:

Thrives in fast-paced, high-demand environments. Able to manage multiple priorities and deliver excellent results under tight deadlines, particularly in weekend and event settings.

Ownership Mentality:

Takes full responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks. Follows through on commitments and ensures ministry areas are executed with excellence and consistency.

Collaborative Influencer:

Works effectively across teams and departments, building alignment and trust while influencing others toward shared goals and ministry priorities.

Detail Oriented:

Appreciates the importance of details and attends to details that affect quality, timeliness, and goal achievement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to: Hospitality & Guest Experience Own and lead the full Sunday and church-wide event hospitality from the parking lot to the worship center to next steps Ensure every guest experiences a welcoming, organized, and engaging environment Design and continually improve environments and processes that help guests feel seen, known, and invited into community Oversee all First Impressions teams including parking, greeting, ushering, food, and guest services Maintain excellence in physical environments, signage, flow, and overall guest experience Next Steps & Assimilation Own the assimilation process from first-time guest to fully engaged participant Work with the Discipleship Pastor to design and execute clear pathways for guests to take their next step (connection, membership, serving, discipleship) Oversee guest follow-up systems including communication, tracking, and engagement Ensure timely, intentional, and relational follow-up with all new guests Evaluate and improve processes to increase guest retention and engagement Ensure clear ownership and execution of all Next Steps environments and processes (e.g., welcome lunch, connection events, membership pathways, onboarding experiences) Volunteer Engagement & Development Build, lead, and grow volunteer teams across hospitality and Next Steps environments Create a clear onboarding process for new volunteers, including recruitment, training, and placement Develop leaders within volunteer teams to ensure scalability and sustainability Foster a culture of ownership, excellence, and servant leadership among volunteers Ensure volunteer teams reflect the diversity and culture of the church body Discipleship Pathway Integration Partner with the Discipleship Pastor to move people into groups, classes, and spiritual formation opportunities Ensure alignment between guest experience, Next Steps, and discipleship environments Help congregants navigate clear and compelling pathways for individuals to grow in their faith and engagement Identify and remove barriers that prevent people from progressing in their spiritual journey Systems & Process Development Build and maintain scalable systems for hospitality, assimilation, and volunteer engagement Track and analyze data related to guest retention, volunteer engagement, and pathway movement Continuously evaluate and improve processes for clarity, effectiveness, and efficiency Utilize church database and tools to ensure accurate tracking and communication Leadership & Collaboration Lead, develop, and care for volunteers and team leaders within assigned ministry areas Collaborate with staff and ministry leaders to align efforts with the church's mission and vision Contribute to a unified staff culture that values excellence, teamwork, and spiritual growth Communicate clearly and consistently with staff and volunteers regarding expectations and initiatives Church-Wide Event Support Oversee hospitality systems and volunteer coordination for church-wide events Ensure a consistent and excellent guest experience across all major events Collaborate with ministry leaders to support event execution and engagement strategies

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

Increased percentage of first-time guests returning within a defined timeframe Growth in volunteer engagement and retention across hospitality and Next Steps Increased participation in connection opportunities (Next Steps, membership, groups, serving) Clear and measurable movement of individuals through the church's discipleship pathway High level of guest satisfaction and positive first-time experiences Clear and consistent follow-up with 100% of first-time guests

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and skills in Adobe InDesign desirable) Basic knowledge of the Bible and theology Comfortable with learning new database systems and virtual platforms Meets the character qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

Demonstrated competency in:

Leading groups of volunteers in significant ministry activities. Leadership in periods of organizational transition; ability to move culture in a new direction. Multi-tasking and organizational skills. Relational skills, including a high value of people, aspiring to serve others, fostering a healthy and amiable spiritual environment, being approachable and accessible, working collaboratively with others and in team environments, and appreciation for one's own and other's giftedness. Strong and effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Ability to:

Ability to communicate effectively in group settings in small (1-150 persons), medium (150-300 persons), and large venues (300+ persons). Maintain a high degree of professionalism and accuracy. Be flexible. Work in a multi-faceted environment with little supervision. Forecast as well as attend to weekly details. Handle confidential information.

Personal Qualifications:

Dynamic and growing faith in Christ. A desire for individual & professional growth. Positive can-do attitude; takes initiative. Consistently strives for excellence. Integrity of work habits and results. Team Player. Personable in working with staff and volunteers. Aspires to serve others with a servant's heart.

Education and/or experience:

Bachelor's degree required; theological training (M.Div. or equivalent) preferred 5-10 years of relevant ministry leadership experience, preferably in a multi-staff church environment Demonstrated experience leading and developing volunteer teams at scale Experience building or improving systems related to guest engagement, assimilation, or ministry operations preferred

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

Maintains strict confidentiality and sound judgement when handling sensitive information related to church operations, staff, and congregants. Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills. Works effectively in a team-oriented environment, collaborating with staff, volunteers, and ministry leaders. Displays effectively in a team-oriented environment, collaborating with staff, volunteers, and ministry leaders. Able to manage multiple responsibilities while maintaining attention to detail and professionalism. Functions effectively both behind the scenes and in public-facing situations, depending on ministry needs.

SPIRITUAL & CHARACTER QUALIFICATIONS

A committed follower of Jesus Christ whose life reflects biblical character and aligns with Illuminate Community Church's Statement of Faith, Position Statements and Staff Handbook. Demonstrates a high level of personal and professional integrity, striving to live above reproach in both personal life and ministry responsibilities. Supports and promotes a Christ-centered work environment, contributing positively to staff unity and the mission of the church. Serves as a Christlike example to the church body, fellow staff and the broader community through conduct, attitude, and relationships. Demonstrates humility, teachability, and a servant-hearted approach to ministry.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

Supports and participates in the overall ministry and mission of Illuminate Community Church. Attends required staff meetings and church events (including Easter and Christmas) as requested. Performs other duties as assigned to support the effectiveness of the ministry and staff team.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Constant sitting, standing, moving and viewing of screens. Occasional lifting of 20 pounds or more.