Communitas is a church planting organization with 50 years experience working in Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and North America. Our leading edge ministry is looking for the right person to help lead us into greater Kingdom ministry. Our current mission family of over 200 includes full-time, bi-vocational employees, as well as affiliates, with many of that number being non-Americans. Communitas operates in over 20 different countries as we start new initiatives and nurture churches and church-planting projects toward reproducible maturity.
Communitas is rooted in missional theology. Our three core values center on being Kingdom seeking, Grace oriented and People focused. Our church planting methodology is not tied to a specific formula, but rather the spirit of serving others and the embracing of a progression of actions that lead to a healthy, maturing church, making our approach very adaptable to unique contexts (see www.TheDynamicAdventure.com for details). We are pioneers and risk takers. We value honesty and encouragement. We collaborate well, within our global regions, as well as with partner organizations.
The Need and Opportunity
Across post-Christian secular culture people have largely given up on church, but spirituality remains important to them. Communitas International is at the forefront of sparking that spirituality with mission and helping people ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’. Our church planting organization offers the following:
- A firm commitment to expressing the passionate love of God for the world in word and deed.
- Substantial experience in reaching people in post-Christian culture.
- Strategic coaching for planters and churches by experienced cross-cultural practitioners.
- Robust training for team leaders and members via online cohorts, on-site events and regional/global seminars and conferences.
- Rigorous assessment experiences and tools that can form the basis for strategic coaching and healthy team building.
- Partnership in innovation with those looking for new ways to declare the timeless message of the Gospel.
Missionary Team Leader
Reports to:
Regional Advancement Director
Works closely with:
Local and/or cross-cultural clergy and lay ministry leaders
Location:
Typically outside USA
Classification:
Exempt
Clergy Status:
Yes, upon commissioning or ordination
Position Scope:
This pastoral role provides leadership, coaching, and mentorship to a team of missionaries while also serving as a lead church planter/missionary. The role is responsible for establishing and cultivating a missionally focused community of faith, guiding its growth from initial launch through long-term sustainability.
The planting pastor will utilize the proven methodology of the Communitas network of churches—embedding, initiating, practicing, maturing, hubbing, and extending—to shape the church’s formation, rhythms, and community life. This framework provides a foundation for healthy church development while allowing flexibility to adapt to the unique cultural context, needs, and opportunities of the local community.
The specific scope of responsibilities will vary according to the location, stage of church development, and ministry needs of the area served. The role requires both strategic leadership and contextual adaptability to foster a thriving, multiplying community of faith.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities:
- Provide spiritual leadership, mentorship, and encouragement to team members while cultivating a culture rooted in faith and purpose.
- Model a life of service, demonstrating a commitment to following Christ and embodying biblical principles in personal, relational, and ministry contexts.
- Lead and support ministry decisions through prayerful discernment and alignment with biblical teachings, values, and the mission of the church.
- Identify, recruit, develop, train, equip, and empower emerging leaders for effective ministry engagement and future church leadership.
- Create and implement intentional evangelism strategies and outreach initiatives designed to engage the target community, build relationships, and support the launch and growth of a new church plant.
- Perform additional responsibilities and ministry assignments as directed by the supervisor.
General Responsibilities:
- Demonstrates spiritual maturity and a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Aligns fully with the mission, vision, values, and Statement of Faith of Communitas.
- Demonstrates professionalism, discretion, and integrity in all matters.
- Maintains a collaborative, learning-oriented, and positive leadership posture.
- Commits to excellence in communication, stewardship, and organizational representation.
Qualifications:
- A committed follower of Jesus Christ with a demonstrated personal faith, spiritual maturity, and a passion for advancing God’s mission.
- Theologically grounded and in full alignment with Communitas’ Statement of Faith and positional papers.
- A deep passion for sharing life with others through an incarnational, missional approach to ministry, with an understanding of group-based ecclesiology and emerging models of church.
- An ability to understand, engage, and connect with the next generation of church communities while adapting ministry practices to diverse cultural contexts.
- A strong awareness of the issues, needs, and worldview of contemporary postmodern culture, with the ability to communicate effectively and build meaningful relationships within that context.
- Flexible, adaptable, and resilient, with the ability to navigate changing environments, evolving ministry needs, and new challenges.
- A self-directed leader who demonstrates initiative, accountability, and the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
- Proficiency with technology and digital tools, including Microsoft Office applications (Word and Excel), Zoom, Google Workspace, and other ministry-related platforms.
- Prior church planting experience preferred, or significant training and experience in missional theology, church multiplication, and ministry practice.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Advanced theological education, seminary training, or equivalent ministry development experience is a plus.
- Demonstrated success serving as a collaborative member of a high-functioning team, with the ability to build trust, contribute strategically, and support shared mission outcomes.
Funding:
This position is funded through personal ministry partnership development (support raising), which covers both salary and ministry-related expenses. Communitas provides onboarding, training, coaching, and ongoing support to help team members build and sustain a healthy ministry partnership team.
