Spiritual Formation Director/Pastor

Summary

The Spiritual Formation Director/Pastor (SFD/P) is primarily responsible for developing leaders, groups, and ministries in a congregation, as well as the formation and care of congregations toward Kingdom impact in Austin. The successful SFD/P will serve to optimize our spiritual formation ministries and by God’s grace see stories of growth, transformation, and salvation particularly in designated spiritual formation environments. The SFD/P will report to the Congregation Executive Pastor/Operations Director or Congregation Pastor depending on the congregation.

Essential Responsibilities

• Ensure the faithful execution and development of ministry aimed at the spiritual formation of our partners, including execution and oversight of new partner training, annual partnership renewal, quarterly partner gatherings, and partner communications. 
• Implement existing and new strategies that connect and move the people of a congregation into a deeper relationship with Christ. 
• Oversee the development of overall congregation ministry performance, including providing leadership development, management, execution, and launch of groups ministry. 
• Provide care, development, and coaching to leaders and groups
• Oversee the development and execution of the equipping ministry, including The Austin Stone Development Program, classes, bible studies, and seminars.
• Execute, oversee, and support spiritual formation activities to deliver Women’s Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Local Mission, Global Mission, and Soul Care Ministry at the congregation.
• Collaborate with other Directors, Resource Team, Global and Local Missions Teams and other interdepartmental groups for coordinated efforts and to support central equipping events and programs.
• Develop new and needed discipleship efforts for the congregation.
• Participate in the discipleship of partners and multiplication of leaders.
• Provide leadership, care, development, and coaching to Groups staff.
• Effectively manage ministry budgets.
• Attend, serve, and lead at all required events and activities for The Austin Stone and congregation, including all Sunday services, staff meetings, prayer meetings, special events, and staff development days.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferred
• 3 years experience in a director level ministry role or as a pastor, leading a ministry team
• Proven capacity to disciple and develop leaders in a variety of relational contexts 
• Foundational understanding of Systematic and Biblical theology 
• If the employee is eligible and confirmed as an ordained elder through the elder confirmation process, the title will be changed to Spiritual Formation Pastor

Competencies

In order to lead effectively at The Austin Stone, a Spiritual Formation Director/Pastor must have the following competencies:

Pastoral effectiveness - Desire and ability to understand and meet people where they are emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Strong grasp and alignment with The Austin Stone’s convictions in pastoral applied theology.

Administration - Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and implement ministry programming. Contribute to strategic planning, resource allocation, and assessment. Ability to show sensitivity and confidence in leading, serving, inspiring, managing, and equipping the staff in their tactical implementation of ministry goals.

Organizational Intelligence - Demonstrated ability to screen Kingdom opportunities, assess risk, formulate strategies, and implement tactics toward sustainable ministry. Understanding of The Austin Stone’s ministry strategy and competency in application of strategies in equipping and mobilization.

Communication - Demonstrated capacity to inspire, instruct, and encourage through effective communication in various settings. Collaborate across the organization and with various ministry partners. Cultivate purpose-driven, relational networks.

Performance Management - Skilled in assessment of ministry effectiveness and supporting decision making through data acquisition and analysis. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully and can efficiently execute on multiple priorities/plans/ideas. 

Collaborative Leadership - Strong complementary leadership skills and capacity to lead in concert with other leaders. Demonstrated ability to network and connect with leaders toward Kingdom outcomes. Ability to integrate multiple perspectives and synthesize them into a cohesive plan.

Leadership Development - Ability to lead, recruit, resource, and mobilize volunteer teams to scale. Ability to recruit, manage, and lead resident/intern teams. Proven capacity to multiply leaders (staff, deacons, volunteers, etc.) who hold and can communicate the church's values. Able to teach and to generate content and curriculum. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Occasional lifting of objects up to 30 pounds.
• Subject to standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling, pushing and pulling.
• Manual dexterity and coordination are required over 50% of the work period while operating equipment such as a computer keyboard, mouse, and similar machines.

Disclaimer

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Culture and Character       

Employees of The Austin Stone are expected to become Partners (our term for members) of the church, fully embracing the values, mission, and purpose of our church. Additionally, all employees of The Austin Stone are expected to understand, affirm and adhere to our Affirmation of Faith, Bylaws, Culture Map, and other documents defining the beliefs, culture, and mission of The Austin Stone Community Church.

Employees also possess the character qualifications of biblical leadership in the church. At a minimum, each employee must agree and aspire to maturity in these qualifications, invite the authority of church community and leaders as a means of growth in them, and pursue them humbly and faithfully by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As part of our child safety program, employees in this role will be required to participate in a child safety screening and training process upon hire.

Please read Attributes of Leaders as Employees at The Austin Stone for a greater description of cultural, character, and other aspects of joining our team at The Austin Stone. 

The Austin Stone Community Church is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Women, Minorities, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.