Purpose of the Role
The Associate Pastor of Family Ministries will partner with the Lead Pastor, staff, and congregation in cultivating a community where people experience belonging, healing, growth, and discipleship.
This role provides leadership in family ministries, volunteer development, and discipleship while supporting the other ministries including congregational care and worship. The Associate Pastor will help strengthen relationships across generations while nurturing a culture where people discover and live into God’s calling for their lives.
The Haven is seeking a leader who is relational, collaborative, spiritually grounded, and excited to help shape ministry for the future. We are grateful for the ministries that have brought us to this point, and we are also looking for someone who can listen to God, build meaningful relationships, and help us discern what faithful ministry looks like in this new season.
Desired Outcomes
The person serving in this role will help:
● Cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment where people feel known, valued, and loved.
● Strengthen ministries with children, youth, and families.
● Expand opportunities for discipleship and spiritual growth.
● Develop and support volunteers and ministry leaders.
● Provide pastoral care and encouragement to the congregation.
● Share in worship leadership and occasional preaching.
● Build bridges between generations and encourage inter-generational relationships.
● Help create sustainable ministry systems that empower others to participate in ministry.
Primary Areas of Responsibility
Family Ministries
● Provide leadership, vision, and support for ministries involving children, youth, and families.
● Partner with parents and caregivers in the spiritual formation of children and youth.
● Encourage inter-generational relationships and experiences within the church.
● Recruit, equip, encourage, and support volunteers serving with children and youth.
● Ensure compliance with Safe Sanctuaries and child protection policies.
● Collaborate with volunteers and staff to develop meaningful discipleship opportunities for families.
● Support and guide seasonal events, outreach opportunities, retreats, mission experiences, and special programs as appropriate.
Leadership Development
● Identify, recruit, mentor, and encourage volunteer leaders.
● Equip others for ministry and leadership.
● Help foster a culture where every person is encouraged to use their gifts in service to God and others.
● Support healthy communication and collaboration across ministries.
Congregational Care
● Offer pastoral presence, encouragement, and spiritual support to individuals and families.
● Participate in visitation, pastoral conversations, prayer, and care ministries.
● Help cultivate and strengthen a lay-led congregational care ministry.
● Support the Lead Pastor in responding to pastoral needs and crises.
● Encourage spiritual practices and relational connection throughout the congregation.
Worship and Discipleship
● Participate regularly in worship leadership.
● Share in preaching responsibilities as scheduled.
● Assist with pastoral prayers, liturgy, communion, baptisms, and other worship elements as appropriate.
● Encourage participation in discipleship opportunities including small groups, studies, and spiritual formation experiences.
● Collaborate with staff and volunteers to create meaningful worship experiences.
Community Engagement
● Build relationships within the church and surrounding community.
● Help connect newcomers and guests into the life of the congregation.
● Encourage outreach, hospitality, and opportunities for service.
● Support The Haven’s mission of being a place of belonging, healing, and refuge.
Qualifications
Qualifications include:
● Active Christian faith and commitment to spiritual growth.
● Alignment with the mission, values, and culture of The Haven.
● Experience in ministry, discipleship, pastoral care, family ministry, or related leadership.
● Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
● Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and church leadership.
● Strong organizational and relational leadership abilities.
● Demonstrated ability to recruit, equip, and encourage volunteers.
● Licensed, ordained, or pursuing ministry credentials within a Wesleyan tradition preferred but not required.
Ministry Posture
The Haven believes ministry is a shared calling.
The person serving in this role will be encouraged to bring their own gifts, experiences, passions, and creativity to the ministry. Existing programs and ministries may be continued, adapted, or re-imagined as the congregation discerns God’s leading together.
Rather than simply maintaining programs, this leader will help cultivate a culture where people encounter God’s love, grow in faith, discover their gifts, and participate in God’s work in the world.
Compensation
To be determined based on experience.
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
