God has also provided an opportunity for us to partner closely with the pre-school which meets on our campus. This school has operated for 38 years and provides part-time early childhood education to 153 children ages 18 months to 5 years. Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, the school will operate under the new name of “Grace Day School” and be governed by a Board made up of Grace Church Lake Highlands members.

Our Next Assistant Pastor
We are looking for a detail-oriented self-starter, who is highly organized and excels at fostering strong interpersonal connections. This person must operate out of their love for Jesus and have a passion for helping us scale our ministries, disciple our congregation, and pursue our Vision. We can competitively compensate the right candidate with a full-time salary (range based upon experience and available on request) plus benefits.

Purpose of This Role
As a family being transformed by God’s grace, Grace Church Lake Highlands exists to help our friends and neighbors find and follow Jesus for the flourishing of Lake Highlands.

Grace Church Lake Highlands seeks to advance our Vision by introducing or re-introducing our neighbors to Jesus, welcoming them into life-changing community and tangibly working for the good of the people and places in Lake Highlands.

The Assistant Pastor will support the Lead Pastor in pastoring the congregation; he or she will also execute and oversee the program ministries of the church, aided by the volunteers and staff who serve those ministries.

Desired Impact of This Role
• Worship is warm and Scripture-infused; the confession and prayer time is fresh and thoughtful.

• Ministry Programs are marked by growth and authenticity; easy to join; lay leaders are well-resourced; communication is consistent; new Community Groups are regularly formed; growth courses are available to adult members.

• Sunday Morning Logistics are efficient and effective; volunteers are present and well-resourced; visitors experience the warmth and helpfulness of our greeters.

• Serving Lake Highlands is a consistent and visible part of our church culture, evidenced by regular serving opportunities and intentional partnerships.

• Pastoral Care is proactive and responsive; members and visitors feel known and loved.

Key Program Leadership Responsibilities (60% of Role)
Community Groups
• Recruit, resource, and train Community Group leaders
• Develop an efficient process to connect people into existing groups and regularly form new groups
• Write and send weekly discussion guides to leaders and group members
* We currently have 205 adults participating in 14 community groups.

Sunday Volunteer Teams
• Work with volunteer team leaders and the Ministry Coordinator to ensure that Sunday morning logistics run smoothly and that we have a welcoming and safe environment.
• Current Sunday volunteer teams include: Start Here Team (Greeters); Clean Team; Safety & Security Team; Communion Team; and Hospitality Team (for special lunches/events).
*We currently have 83 people serving across these Sunday volunteer teams.

Kids Ministry
• Work with staff (Kids Ministry Coordinator & Family Ministry Coordinator) and volunteers to provide pastoral oversight to Kids Ministry team.
• Oversee Kids Ministry curriculum to ensure alignment with church theology and values.
* We currently have 74 adults serving on our rotation of Kids Ministry volunteers across 6 class ages (Nursery 1; Nursery 2; Toddlers (18 months – 3 years); Pre-K; Kindergarten/1st Grade; Elementary).

Serve Lake Highlands
• Work with Ministry Coordinator and Serve Lake Highlands Team (including attending all meetings of the team) to manage and grow partnerships (Stults Road Elementary, Network of Community Ministries, more TBD).
*We currently have more than 30 adults serving regularly at Stults Road Elementary School and Thurgood Marshall Mobile Food Pantry.

Key Pastoral Responsibilities (40% of Role)
Worship Leadership
• Assist in weekly worship services through corporate confession, pastoral prayer, etc.
• Preach as assigned (4-10 times per year, depending upon interest/ability)

Teaching Classes
• Assist the Lead Pastor in teaching the new member class offered twice a year
• Teach at least two growth courses per year (3 – 6 weeks in length) and facilitate other growth courses taught by lay leaders or external speakers/presenters

General Pastoring
• Intentionally schedule breakfast/lunch/coffee meetings (2-3 per week) to encourage church members.
• Assist the Lead Pastor in visitor follow-up, hospital visitation, and crisis response
• Officiate weddings, funerals, and baptisms for members as requested
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and monthly Leadership Team meetings
• Build relationships with unchurched people and seek to share Jesus with them

Education/Ordination, Experience, Skills/Abilities Requirements
• Education: Master’s degree from an accredited seminary required
• Ordination: Ordained in ECO or open to completing ordination in ECO
• Experience:
o Teaching and leading in both large and small group settings
o Proven experience in starting and leading ministries, groups, events, etc.
o At least 3 years of relevant full-time work experience (preferred)
• Skills/Abilities
o Highly organized and able to create e]icient systems
o Decisive and able to manage time well
o Relational, able to draw others in
o Clear communicator both in speaking and writing
o Detail-oriented self-starter who is able to work independently

Expectations
• Embodies the mission of the church through a lifestyle of hospitality and evangelism
• Acts as an advocate of the culture and Vision of Grace Church Lake Highlands
• Christian faith aligned with the beliefs of Grace Church Lake Highlands and the ECO denomination
• Commits to and exhibits the values of Grace Church Lake Highlands
o Jesus-centered
o Mission-Driven
o Neighborhood-Focused
o Family-Connected