Hybrid Next Steps Pastor bei Gateway Church

Job Summary

The Next Steps Pastor will champion a culture where every congregant understands their next step toward following Jesus. Next Steps is about making it simple for people to get connected, experience spiritual growth, and find their purpose. We believe people want to be known and needed — groups help them feel known, and serving helps them feel needed. This role will provide pathways for congregants of all ages to take their next step, whether that means salvation, baptism, joining a group, serving on a team, or engaging in outreach. By connecting people to community, purpose, and care, we help them become part of something bigger than themselves. The Next Steps Pastor will ensure these opportunities are accessible and clearly communicated, so the church is mobilized to carry out its mission both inside and outside its walls.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Champion a clear, simple Next Steps strategy that helps people know how to get saved, connected, and involved, empowering them to become part of something bigger than themselves.
• Develop and oversee systems that help people move from first-time guests to fully engaged members, providing opportunities for salvation, baptism, groups, serving, and outreach.
• Cultivate a culture where every person feels known through authentic relationships (groups) and needed through meaningful service (volunteer teams).
• Ensure that Next Steps opportunities are accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, both within the church and through community outreach and care initiatives.
• Mobilize the church body by creating pathways that equip and release people to serve, lead, and live out their faith in practical ways.
• Lead, train, and develop Next Steps staff and volunteers to champion this vision, building a team that models a lifestyle of discipleship and connection.
• Partner with other ministries to align Next Steps with Gateway’s overall mission, integrating processes across age groups and ministry areas.
• Provide oversight for Next Steps-related events, classes, and processes (e.g., membership, group launches, volunteer onboarding).
• Serve on rotation to assist with pastoral duties including hospital visits, biblical counseling, officiating weddings, funerals, baby dedications, communion, and other ministry services.
• Teach, lead, and inspire from both the platform and by personal example.
• Steward the Next Steps budget responsibly, ensuring resources are effectively used to fulfill the mission.

Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of Next Steps initiatives, using data and feedback to improve clarity, accessibility, and engagement.

Ensure all processes