Area Pastor

Summary

While we gather on Sunday mornings for worship and teaching, most of our ministry to adults needs to be built out in a model that supports our smaller communities across the city.

This role will be responsible for shepherding people in the West region of Nashville while maintaining a “global” care role. This includes, but is not limited to, launching and supporting community groups, training and equipping leaders to disciple people in their groups, facilitating groups, and ensuring there is pastoral care for the people in their area.

This role collaborates closely with the Community Life team - especially the East Area Pastor - in providing holistic care for the COTC Downtown community.

This role carefully maintains pastoral alignment with other COTC TN congregations through a close connection with other area pastors of all TN churches.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned):

Area Pastor Responsibilities (West Region):

The West Area Pastor manages and directs pastoral oversight for the West Nashville area (west of I-65) in the following ways:

COMMUNITY GROUP (CG) LEADERSHIP

• Ensure all CG leaders are vetted through a proper onboarding process that includes a background check, in-person interview, and ensuring that they are a Stakeholder.
• Train, equip and empower CG leaders. This includes, though is not limited to, helping create large group training experiences and 1:1 coaching with individual group leaders.
• As the growth of their area dictates, the AP should develop volunteers who report directly to them and help shepherd sub-groups of CGs.
• Collaborate and execute a strategy to identify and recruit new leaders for their area, working closely with the Community Life team.
• Specific numeric goals may be set seasonally within the Community Life team to include:
  • Number of groups
  • Average attendance per group
• Partner well with the Communications team to ensure that it is easy for the congregation to get information about groups, and ensure that the language is clear and consistent.
• Partner with other key staff members to leverage any church-wide men’s and women’s gatherings to facilitate connection into their community groups.

CARE

• Partner with the entire Community Life team (across the global COTC church) to develop pastoral care infrastructure. The AP should carry the responsibility that people in their area feel cared for in times of need.
  • Provide presence, empathy, encouragement, connecting, and biblical guidance. Counseling is not the goal as it also requires an active license.
  • Process benevolence requests
• Connect congregants to Support Communities (e.g. Restore Small Groups, Celebrate Recovery etc.).
• Recruit and train Pastoral Care volunteers.
• Serve as a support resource to COTC staff in areas of pastoral care and working with high challenge people.
• Refer congregants needing professional mental health support to the COTC Counseling Referral Network

DISCIPLESHIP

• Lead midweek discipleship classes (e.g. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality)
• Provide leadership in: Men’s Ministry, Marriage Ministry, Pre-Marriage Ministry.

GENERAL PASTORAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a Pastor on Sunday mornings. This includes being present to meet or pray with people.
• Serve in an “all hands on deck” capacity with any Global (meaning applies to all areas) Community Life initiative. This includes, though is not limited to- Stakeholders classes, baptisms, and Learning Communities.
• This role will officiate weddings, funerals and lead the church in the sacraments.
• Build a culture of prayer
• Be available to assist in set-up and tear down of mobile church as required

Membership Requirement:

Church of the City employees are required to become a Stakeholder of the church within the first 6 months of employment and agree to the beliefs, standards and responsibilities outlined in the Stakeholder Agreement.

Required Competencies and General Skills:

A successful candidate possesses competency and demonstrated experience in leadership, effective communication, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution.

Must possess general computer skills, including proficiency with Google Suite. Maintains confidentiality and demonstrates strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail. Capable of adhering to deadlines, managing multiple diverse assignments, and executing tasks effectively. Exhibits practical time management skills and works well in team settings. Demonstrates innovation by suggesting improvements within the scope of work, anticipating needs, and creating efficient, effective processes. Self-motivated, takes ownership of tasks, and shows flexibility and adaptability in dynamic situations.

• Model and share COTC vision and beliefs.
• Qualified for spiritual leadership as described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
• Ability to network with and recruit potential leaders.
• Strong listener, as this person needs to be a sounding board and confidant for their CG leaders. Enough experience with participating and leading groups that they can model and lead a healthy group when necessary.
• Strong theological foundation. The incumbent will represent the church as a pastor to the people in the designated area.
• Skilled at working cross-departmentally.

Qualifications

A Christian in submission to the authority of the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit, as evident in lifestyle. Subscribes to and is in full agreement with the Church of the City’s Statement of Faith. Represents and upholds the mission, vision, and culture of Church of the City by demonstrating a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and learning posture.

The criteria listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Qualifications include but are not limited to:

Education: A High School Level education, or its equivalent, with a baccalaureate degree preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lift or carry up to 20lbs

Ability to sit for extended periods

Ability to work at a keyboard and other related equipment

Ability to move about to accomplish tasks related to role