PASTOR OF NEXT STEPS
Are you passionate about raising up new leaders and volunteers, encouraging people to get connected in the church while challenging them to grow in their faith?
Do you believe that every believer has spiritual gifts that could serve the church and are you passionate about seeing people mobilized to serve the church and God's kingdom?
Are you able to work with our team to increase the number of people serving in ministry, improve our care/follow-up to new believers and create systems that see even more people taking the step to be baptized and becoming members of the church?
Do you enjoy recruiting volunteers and mentoring them to personally experience the fullness of life in Christ and help a church expand God’s kingdom.
Are you passionate about follow-up and seeing people assimilated into the church (from first-time guests to fully developed followers of Jesus)?
Willow Hills Baptist Church in Prescott, Arizona is seeking a pastor of Next Steps. The pastor will be responsible for the development and oversight of the process for taking people from the Foyer (Worship Services) to the Living Room (Sunday School/Small Groups) to the Kitchen (Place of Ministry and Service) to the Street (Personal Witness and Evangelism). This is not a position for someone who simply wants to do ministry, but for someone who is willing and able to equip others to do the work of the ministry.
Willow Hills Baptist Church has been making an impact for Christ across northern Arizona for over 70 years. Her strong heritage of spreading the kingdom of God has been demonstrated by helping start over 20 churches across the state and a strong support for missions. In 2011-2012, the church went through a difficult season when 75-100 people, including many of the young families left the church. In the aftermath of this, the church recommitted to becoming an intergenerational church by reaching children, youth, and families. This led to hiring an associate pastor to lead this effort. Over the past five years, Willow Hills has continued this focus through our hiring of a children’s director and youth pastor. Currently, Willow Hills averages around 400 people in weekly worship in two services. This past February, Pastor Walters transitioned from our associate pastor to our Lead Pastor. We are currently looking for someone to help us become more effective in helping our people grow both spiritually and personally as they fully embrace their identity and calling in Christ. Willow Hills is situated in Prescott, Arizona. Located in the central highlands, Prescott and the surrounding area have continued to explode with growth over the past decade. Four seasons of weather and a reasonable drive to Phoenix, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon have made the area popular for retirees and those desiring a great place to raise a family.
Education:
A bachelor’s degree or seminary in religious studies, ministry or a related field is required. Further theological training would be ideal for this situation but is not required.
Responsibilities:
Skills and Attitudes Needed:
TO APPLY:
The cover letter should be personalized for this position and should answer 4 questions:
*Also – if you have a recent video/audio of you teaching in front of a group (large or small) – please include that along with your resume and cover letter.
Do you believe that every believer has spiritual gifts that could serve the church and are you passionate about seeing people mobilized to serve the church and God's kingdom?
Are you able to work with our team to increase the number of people serving in ministry, improve our care/follow-up to new believers and create systems that see even more people taking the step to be baptized and becoming members of the church?
Do you enjoy recruiting volunteers and mentoring them to personally experience the fullness of life in Christ and help a church expand God’s kingdom.
Are you passionate about follow-up and seeing people assimilated into the church (from first-time guests to fully developed followers of Jesus)?
Willow Hills Baptist Church in Prescott, Arizona is seeking a pastor of Next Steps. The pastor will be responsible for the development and oversight of the process for taking people from the Foyer (Worship Services) to the Living Room (Sunday School/Small Groups) to the Kitchen (Place of Ministry and Service) to the Street (Personal Witness and Evangelism). This is not a position for someone who simply wants to do ministry, but for someone who is willing and able to equip others to do the work of the ministry.
Willow Hills Baptist Church has been making an impact for Christ across northern Arizona for over 70 years. Her strong heritage of spreading the kingdom of God has been demonstrated by helping start over 20 churches across the state and a strong support for missions. In 2011-2012, the church went through a difficult season when 75-100 people, including many of the young families left the church. In the aftermath of this, the church recommitted to becoming an intergenerational church by reaching children, youth, and families. This led to hiring an associate pastor to lead this effort. Over the past five years, Willow Hills has continued this focus through our hiring of a children’s director and youth pastor. Currently, Willow Hills averages around 400 people in weekly worship in two services. This past February, Pastor Walters transitioned from our associate pastor to our Lead Pastor. We are currently looking for someone to help us become more effective in helping our people grow both spiritually and personally as they fully embrace their identity and calling in Christ. Willow Hills is situated in Prescott, Arizona. Located in the central highlands, Prescott and the surrounding area have continued to explode with growth over the past decade. Four seasons of weather and a reasonable drive to Phoenix, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon have made the area popular for retirees and those desiring a great place to raise a family.
Education:
A bachelor’s degree or seminary in religious studies, ministry or a related field is required. Further theological training would be ideal for this situation but is not required.
Responsibilities:
- Leading WHBC in moving first time guests to becoming fully developing members. This includes the Sunday experience, follow-up to first time guests and next step decisions, new believer follow-up and care, leading people to take the step of baptism followed by attending our Membership Class and into a life of personal ministry and witness.
- Requires the ability to lead teams effectively, to raise up new leaders and to communicate/teach.
- Preach in our Sunday Services when designated by the Lead Pastor. Possibly as often as 8-10 Sundays annually.
- Develop, along with the Senior Pastor and other staff, clear steps to lead people through a growth process. Then implement and oversee this process.
- Oversee our adult Sunday School ministry
- Start and lead small group ministry (We currently are strongly considering starting a small group ministry. We plan to wait until this position is filled so the Next Steps Pastor can have input on the decision and, should we decide to move forward, can help design the ministry.)
Skills and Attitudes Needed:
- Be able to work in a team environment with the other staff and church leaders.
- Be able to recognize the gifts in others. Recruit, train, and release others to ministry.
- Understanding of and ability to develop and maintain church systems.
- The ability to lead volunteers is a must.
- Strong organizational and administrative skills are a must.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills are required.
- Able to solve problems and overcome obstacles
- Self motivated and a strong work ethic
- A vibrant and growing personal relationship with Christ
- Consistently express a Christlike character and the manifestation of the Fruits of the Spirit.
- A track record of personally reaching people with the gospel and making disciples.
- Biblically Qualified –Must meet the requirements of a Pastor as set forth in the Scripture including those found in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9
- Ministry Alignment –Must have a commitment to align with the vision, values and doctrinal statement of WHBC (the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message)
- Must be an individual of integrity
- Must be willing to relocate and live in the greater Prescott area (Prescott, Prescott Valley, or Chino Valley)
- A passion for the Bible and innovation
- The ability to manage a large and growing ministry & volunteer system
- An ability and desire to teach, lead classes and lead meetings (volunteers/staff)
- Oversee the budgets assigned to the designated ministries
- A team player with a positive attitude
- A passion for helping people take spiritual next steps
- A desire to not let anyone fall through the cracks
- A passion and drive for evangelism and reaching the unchurched
- A love for all people regardless of race or age
- A high commitment to both the local church and to the Kingdom of God outside the local church
- Comfortable in a non-charismatic worship environment
- Must be comfortable working 45-50 hours a week on a normal week and 60 or more when ministry requires it.
- Provide Pastoral Care as needed (Hospital visits, home visits, counseling, funerals, weddings, etc.)
- Other responsibilities as assigned by the Lead Pastor
TO APPLY:
- Please send your cover letter (see below) and resume to willowhillsfsbc@willowhills.com
The cover letter should be personalized for this position and should answer 4 questions:
- Why are you interested in this position?
- How do you see God having been preparing you for this particular ministry opportunity?
- Are you more task or relationally oriented. Please explain why you see yourself this way.
- Explain why you feel you would be a great fit for this position (Training, gifts, talents, experience, personality...).
*Also – if you have a recent video/audio of you teaching in front of a group (large or small) – please include that along with your resume and cover letter.