Pastor of Discipleship and Community Engagement

Wake Forest United Methodist Church, Wake Forest, NC
Pastor of Discipleship and Community Engagement 

Position Description: In collaboration with the Lead Pastor, the Pastor for Discipleship and Community Engagement will shape, guide and empower the congregation’s spiritual formation as well as grow our engagement with community partners and ministries. This pastor serves as the representative to church committees whose ministry involves Christian education, spiritual formation and local outreach/missions. An emphasis will be on creating an intentional plan for Christian discipleship, building relationships with current small group leaders, developing additional small group leaders and creating clear entry points for discipleship.  As ordained clergyperson, the Pastor will assist with worship leadership. This ¾ time position (30 hours/wk) is under the direct supervision of the Lead Pastor and is overseen by the Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee (SPRC). We anticipate this position’s time allocation being 50% Discipleship, 30% Community Engagement, 20% Worship.  

1. Qualifications:

• Deep personal faith in Jesus Christ that is growing and sustained by spiritual practices. 

• An advocate for United Methodist theology and beliefs.

• Organized leader who can recruit and equip laity for servant ministry. 

• Must be trust-worthy and a self-starter with the ability to lead others through innovation and change. 

• Ability to facilitate spiritual growth through worship, small groups, personal studies and service opportunities.  

• Experience in church ministry, especially discipleship development.

• Experience and desire to work in a collaborative environment to develop ministries. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience with social media platforms.

• Experience working with community partner organizations (local schools, non-profits, food security groups, etc). 

• Master’s level education in practical theology.  An ordained deacon or candidate is preferred. 

2. Responsibilities: 

• Develop and implement an intentional discipleship plan for WFUMC.  Coordinate and guide the congregation's Christian formation and education to deepen children, youth and adults' love of God and neighbor. 

• Collaborate discipleship planning with the Family Ministry Director who will implement children and youth spiritual formation plans. 

• Identify a core group of laity to form a Discipleship Team to lead WFUMC’s Adult Discipleship. Equip and empower this team for success in growing our discipleship ministry. 

• Identify and develop new adult small group leaders and small group opportunities with clearly defined entry points. 

• Create and provide resources to connect worship content to personal discipleship and group life. 

• Help small group leaders choose and develop content that is in line with Methodist beliefs. 

• Maintain up-to-date schedule, data and communication of all spiritual formation groups to track engagement and growth. 

• Lead a short-term study on occasion in conjunction with the liturgical year. 

• Serve as the staff liaison with the Little Chapel Preschool. 

• Create an affinity group of laity who are connected to community service. Through this team, help WFUMC grow in community engagement through community partnerships and connections. Build and articulate the story of the congregation’s service to others in the name of Jesus Christ.

• Assist in liturgical planning and leadership for Sunday and other worship celebrations. 

• Develop, implement and maintain the budget for Discipleship and Community Engagement. 

• Maintain regular office hours, attend staff meetings and other relevant church committees.

• Assist with other items as needed. 

3. Position

• This is a 30 hours a week, ¾ time position, imagined as being filled by an ordained deacon or candidate for deacon. 

• This is a new position that reimagines a position formerly held by a ¾ time associate pastor position. 

• The compensation for this position will include salary, health insurance, travel reimbursement and continuing education costs. 

Please send resume or inquiries to Rev. Jim Littleton, jlittleton@nccumc.org.