Associate Pastor – Leadership Development & Care

Hope Community Church); Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Hope Community Church in Columbus, OH, is seeking a pastor whose greatest joy is equipping others to do ministry. You’ll lead with humility and authenticity, invest in leaders, and help shape a healthy church culture.

This role calls you to preach, mentor, and foster collaborative teams that multiply leadership and serve with kindness. The position emphasizes building leaders who empower others, nurturing volunteers, and launching new ministry initiatives alongside a supportive staff.

Qualifications

• Pastoral leadership experience in a church setting.
• Ability to equip and develop volunteers.
• Credentialing within the Church of the Nazarene preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build Leaders: coach ministry leaders, recruit volunteers, create pathways for spiritual gifts development.
• Build Healthy Teams: develop environments where volunteers serve with confidence and joy.
• Care for People: walk with families through joys and challenges with Christ-centered care.
• Help Shape the Future: contribute to vision, strategic planning, and new ministry initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Team building

People care

Vision coaching

Adaptability

Job description

This isn't just another ministry position. It's an opportunity to help shape the future of a growing church.

Hope Community Church is a thriving, growing congregation in the Church of the Nazarene, rooted in Wesleyan theology and passionately committed to helping people know Jesus, experience life change, and discover their purpose.

We believe the local church changes the world when ordinary people are empowered to live extraordinary lives through Christ. That's why we're looking for a pastor whose greatest joy isn't simply doing ministry—but equipping others to do it.

We're praying for a leader who loves people, believes in teams, dreams about what could be, and gets excited watching others step into their calling.

If you're energized by building leaders, multiplying volunteers, caring deeply for people, and helping create a healthy church culture, we'd love to meet you.

The Opportunity

Hope Community Church is entering an exciting season of growth. New people are finding Christ. Families are getting connected. New ministry opportunities continue to emerge. We believe God is opening doors that require us to raise up more leaders than ever before.

We're looking for someone who doesn't just want to maintain ministry—they want to build it.

You'll have the opportunity to influence the culture of our church, help shape our future, preach, dream, innovate, and work alongside a healthy staff that genuinely enjoys serving together.

Most importantly, you'll help develop people into the leaders God created them to be.

What You'll Do

• Build Leaders: Your primary calling will be investing in people. You'll coach ministry leaders, help them develop vision, encourage them through challenges, and provide the accountability they need to thrive. You'll identify new leaders, recruit volunteers, and create pathways that help people discover and use their spiritual gifts. We believe ministry is healthiest when leadership is multiplied—not centralized.
• Build Healthy Teams: Healthy churches are built on healthy teams. You'll work alongside ministry leaders to strengthen volunteer cultures, create sustainable systems, and develop environments where people love serving together. Rather than carrying every responsibility yourself, you'll equip others to lead with confidence.
• Care for People: Pastoral ministry is personal. You'll share in the pastoral care of our church by walking alongside people during life's greatest joys and deepest challenges. Whether celebrating victories, praying with families, visiting hospitals, offering counsel, or simply being present, you'll help people experience the love of Christ through authentic relationships.
• Help Shape the Future: You'll serve as a trusted voice on our pastoral team. There will be opportunities to preach, contribute to church-wide vision, participate in strategic planning, and help launch new ministry initiatives. We value creativity, innovation, and leaders who aren't afraid to ask, "What if?" If God gives you an idea that could help us reach more people, we'll want to hear it.

Who You Are

• You love Jesus deeply and your life reflects it.
• You believe people are always more important than programs.
• You're the kind of leader who celebrates others more than yourself.
• You work hard without needing recognition.
• You lead with humility, confidence, and authenticity.
• You enjoy collaborating with others and believe the best ideas often come from the team.
• You aren't threatened by developing leaders who may one day surpass you—you celebrate it.
• You see potential in people before they see it in themselves.
• You don't need all the answers, but you're eager to learn, willing to adapt, and excited to try new things if it helps people encounter Jesus.

What We Believe

Hope Community Church is part of the Church of the Nazarene and joyfully embraces Wesleyan theology. We are committed to the authority of Scripture, the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, holy living, and making Christlike disciples in the nations.

Applicants should affirm these beliefs and either hold or be willing to pursue credentials within the Church of the Nazarene.

Why Hope?

Because we believe the best days of Hope Community Church are still ahead.

We're building a culture where faith is bold, leadership is multiplied, generosity is contagious, and people are equipped—not just entertained.

You'll join a team that genuinely enjoys serving together, laughs often, dreams big, and isn't afraid to innovate for the sake of the Gospel.

This is a place where your ideas will be heard.

Where your leadership will matter.

Where your gifts will be stretched.

Where you'll have the freedom to build, experiment, and help write the next chapter of what God is doing.

If that excites you, we'd love to start a conversation.

Reach out to [e-mail] with questions.