OVERVIEW:

• Job Title: Small Groups Pastor
• Leadership: Leadership Team
• Classification: Exempt/Full time
• Currently Reports to: Director of Ministry Development - Nate Sickler
• Effective Date: April 3, 2025

EDUCATION, SKILLS, ABILITIES, SPIRITUAL GIFTS:

• BA or BS degree in ministry or related field required. Seminary training preferred.
• Meets Biblical qualifications for pastoral leadership (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)
• Organizational skills, detail-oriented with an ability to multi-task
• 5-10 years of pastoral leadership experience
• Preferred experience with direction, planning and administration of large scale ministries
• Effective communication skills: written, verbal and interpersonal
• Demonstrated ability to understand, relate to and develop multiple generations
• Demonstrated success in mobilizing (recruit, motivate and equip) and casting vision for volunteer coaches, leaders, interns and residents to minister through Small Groups and Care
• Considers pastoral ministry as a life vocation
• Spiritual gifts of leadership, teaching, and administration/organization

RIVERSIDE COMPENENCIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• Fully embraces Riverside’s mission and core values of “Experience Grace, Grow in Love, Give of Yourself”.
• Pursue a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ through the regular practice of spiritual disciplines including prayer, Bible reading and study, and worship
• Be reliable, take initiative, and be self-motivated
• Embrace and live out the BIG3; believing Small Groups to be the primary method of discipleship and initial provider of care for the body.
• Embrace and adapt to growth, change, innovation and creativity
• Use appropriate judgment in the areas of discretion, sensitivity and confidentiality
• Have a cooperative, healthy and motivating relationship with supervisors and coworkers, and subordinates. (Matthew 18:15-17)
• Maintains flexible working hours as determined by the needs of the ministry
• Regular attendance at worship services and availability to the congregation at such
• Full support of spouse, if married, to the ministry of Riverside Church.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (This is a working list and may be adjusted at any time):

Leadership

• Develop, implement, evaluate church wide SG growth strategies which measure SG growth as a percentage of Sunday morning worship attendance averages. These strategies would be in a cycle of continuous improvement.
• Cast vision for groups in all ministries (including kids, student, and care) by developing consistent and unified experiences.
• Responsible for recruitment, training and supervision of paid staff, volunteer leaders and, if applicable, interns within the Small Group/Care ministry area.
• Manage Small Group/Care ministries budget.
• Ensure all group information is current and accurate (MyRC–Riverside’s online database).

Small Groups

• Responsible for executing small groups and leadership care through a team of coaches.
• Provide input on the effectiveness of ministry plans and suggestions for enhancements for future development.
• Responsible for developing and implementing strategies that promote spiritual growth, discipleship, mentoring, equipping of people for ministry and small groups.
• Create and oversee a leader development concept that helps “test-drive” hosts become leaders over time. This will include:
  • Communication strategies to leaders and small group participants
  • On-site, decentralized and web-based leader development opportunities
  • Coaching
• Develop weekly small group content for adults to live out Riverside’s core values, including message-based content.
• Work with the Leadership Team and other staff to develop the church-wide strategies surrounding small groups. This may include:
  • Assimilation and connection events
  • Care, serving, discipleship, and annual church-wide campaign groups
  • Mid-size events forming steps that lead to small groups
• Design, implement and manage strategies that make it easy to join a group. This includes:
  • Creating consistent opportunities for new small groups to begin.
  • Strategic church-wide communication enabling people to join a group.

Care

• Execute care ministries by equipping and empowering volunteers to provide care in their small group context.
• Participate in the general pastoral care of the congregation as directed in areas such as biblical counseling, pre-marital counseling, performing weddings, funerals and Sunday worship.
• Oversee and coordinate benevolence requests with care pastor.

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to and receives leadership from the Director of Ministry Development.
• Works under the direction of the Executive Team
• Works with Small Groups/Care Team
• Accountable to the Board of Elders
• Receives support from peers on Leadership Team
• Contribute to a dynamic staff team with shared vision and ministry goals.
• Ability to work as part of a multiple staff team while integrating Small Group/Care with the entire church ministry.
• Any philosophical or directional changes will only be made in conjunction, or in cooperation with the executive leadership, because small groups are a critical piece of helping Riverside Church accomplish its mission of reaching people and helping them become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

To be considered for this position, please complete the application to include your testimony, resume and other background information related to the position.

If the district office has reviewed your application and they think you may be a potential match for the position, that the hiring manager will reach out to you for next steps.

This position requires licensing with The Christian & Missionary Alliance. To learn more about The Alliance and requirements for licensing, please visit our website

Please do not contact the church directly.