Next Steps Associate Pastor (NFW)

Job Summary:

The Next Steps Associate Pastor supports the Next Steps Pastor by overseeing the day-to-day delivery of the campus assimilation path. While the Next Steps Pastor provides overall vision and ownership of the path, this role leads its key touchpoints—including Growth Path sessions, guest follow-up, baptisms, and membership—and pastors the people moving through each step. This role exists to ensure that every person who takes a next step is personally seen, supported, and connected.

Principal Job Responsibilities:

Supports the Next Steps Pastor and manages the delivery of Next Steps at the campus

Leads, manages, and pastors the Serve Team and congregants they serve

Builds and stewards the Serve Team for their area: recruiting, training, retention, and appreciation

Conducts weekly one-on-one oversights with direct reports for spiritual, relational, and professional development

Builds and sustains a pipeline of leaders so that every position has a back-up

Carries budget responsibility for their area of ministry where assigned, and spends within the approved threshold

Ensures completion of all reporting for their area, including attendance, salvations, prayer requests, incidents, and budget

Runs Starting Point sessions at the campus and builds the Serve Teams that deliver them

Manages first-time guest follow-up and connection card response, and ensures requests reach the right person

Coordinates baptisms, membership, and new-member onboarding at the campus

Follows up on salvation decisions and next steps, ensuring anyone who makes a decision for Christ or indicates a next step receives timely, personal contact and is connected to the appropriate next step

Partners with Groups and ministry leaders so that people who take a next step land in community

Tracks movement through each stage of the path and reports what the measures show

Holds a ministerial license to minister, preach the gospel, and fulfill the work of serving God's kingdom, valid for the duration of pastoral ministry at Gateway Church, and carries spiritual authority within the church

Serves the congregation by officiating weddings, funerals, baby dedications, communion, and other ministry services

Is present and serving at weekend services and churchwide events as the ministry calendar requires, and is available to the congregation for pastoral care as needs arise

Teaches through biblical principles and by lifestyle example

Performs other duties as assigned.

As a member of the Gateway Church team, this position is expected to support, recruit, and develop Serve Team members, and to serve alongside the broader team as ministry and organizational needs arise.

General Skills & Qualifications:

A clear passion for Jesus and a strong biblical foundation

Clear and effective communicator with both large and small groups

Demonstrated ability to gather, develop, and deploy staff and Serve Team

Builds effective teams and drives engagement of staff and Serve Team

Systems-minded, with strong follow-through on a path people move through

Warm and approachable with guests and new members

Comfortable holding others accountable with clarity and care

Demonstrated emotional and relational intelligence

Willingness and ability to engage in courageous conversations

Strong time-management skills and the ability to hold several priorities at once

Proficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn and function within new software and systems

Education/Certification(s):

Two or more years of ministry experience — required

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience — required

Licensed as a minister, or eligible to be licensed upon employment — required

Prior experience in a multisite church environment — preferred

General Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to:

Sit or stand for extended periods of time

Occasionally kneel or crouch

Frequently lift and/or move up to 10 lbs.

Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.

*This description is not all inclusive, and other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Gateway Church does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law as it applies to churches. However, Gateway Church does discriminate on the basis of religion.

Employment Requirement: Must be a member or become a member of Gateway Church upon employment.