Associate Pastor of Discipleship

Evangelical Free Church of America; Midland (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Midland Evangelical Free Church in Michigan seeks an Associate Pastor of Discipleship to lead the discipleship ministries and develop a clear pathway for growth in Christ. The role provides vision, oversight, and collaboration with the lead pastor and staff to equip volunteers, strengthen outreach, and foster gospel-centered community across all ages.

Compensation ranges from $65,000 to $85,000 per year with benefits.

Qualifications

• Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent.
• Minimum of five years of ministry experience including discipleship or pastoral care.
• Affirmation of EFCA Statement of Faith.
• Ability to develop and implement discipleship strategies.
• Strong biblical and theological foundation.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to recruit, train and mentor leaders.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive discipleship pathway for growth in Christ.
• Lead adult discipleship ministries and coordinate staff/volunteers.
• Oversee Care Ministries, visitation, counseling and crisis care.
• Partner with lead pastor and elders to align outreach and church growth.
• Participate in preaching, worship leadership and church-wide vision.
• Lead staff meetings and leadership development.

Skills

Pastoral leadership

Discipleship

Communication

Team leadership

Counseling

Education

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Job description

We are seeking a dynamic, relational and compassionate Associate Pastor of Discipleship who is passionate about helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus.

The associate pastor of discipleship will provide leadership, vision, and oversight for the discipleship ministries of Midland Evangelical Free Church. This pastor will cultivate a culture of spiritual growth and gospel-centered community by developing and implementing a clear discipleship pathway and overseeing the ministries that support it.

Our heart is to partner with people—walking alongside them as they learn to enjoy God more deeply, embrace His Word more fully and engage His world more intentionally.

Compensation for this position ranges from $65,000–$85,000, plus benefits.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, develop and implement a comprehensive discipleship pathway that helps individuals grow from first-time connection to full maturity in Christ.
• Collaborate with the lead pastor and ministry staff to ensure all ministries align with and support the pathway.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all adult discipleship efforts within MEFC.
• Plan and implement adult education opportunities (classes, workshops and seminars) that foster biblical literacy, spiritual maturity and missional living.

3. Care Teams & Congregational Care

• Oversee MEFC’s Care Ministries, including Stephen Ministry, care teams, visitation and support.
• Equip and empower volunteers and lay leaders to provide compassionate, Christ-centered care.
• Partner with the lead pastor and elders to ensure consistent and comprehensive pastoral care.
• Personally engage in counseling, visitation, weddings, funerals and crisis care as needed.
• Oversee MEFC’s Go Local and Go Global ministries, serving as the primary pastoral contact for the lay leaders from those ministries.
• Partner with the lead pastor and ministry staff to strengthen outreach and community engagement efforts.
• Serve as an active member of the pastoral team, contributing to preaching, worship leadership and church-wide vision implementation as needed.
• Participate in staff meetings, strategic planning and leadership development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Education: Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent degree from an accredited evangelical seminary.
• Experience: Minimum of five years of ministry experience, including demonstrated leadership in discipleship, small group ministry or pastoral care.
• Doctrinal Alignment: Agreement with and affirmation of the EFCA Statement of Faith and commitment to the mission and values of Midland Evangelical Free Church.
• Proven ability to develop and implement effective discipleship strategies.
• Strong biblical and theological foundation with a passion for spiritual formation.
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to recruit, train and mentor leaders, with demonstrated examples of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
• A collaborative spirit and a shepherd’s heart.

Personal Characteristics

• Deep and growing relationship with Jesus Christ, marked by humility and authenticity.
• Spiritually mature and committed to prayer, Scripture and community.
• Relationally warm, approachable and empathetic.
• Passionate about helping people take next steps in faith.
• Team-oriented, teachable and supportive of MEFC’s vision and leadership.

Midland Evangelical Free Church is a gospel-centered and vibrant church family committed to enjoying God, embracing His Word and engaging His world. Everything we do flows from a desire to make disciples who are being transformed by the gospel, growing in faith and actively living out that faith in everyday life.

Midland Free is a growing congregation of 600+ people, representing all stages of life and spiritual maturity—from those exploring faith to long-time followers of Jesus. We are known for our engaging worship, strong teaching ministry and intentional focus on discipleship. Our church is deeply invested in local outreach and global missions, seeking to reflect Christ’s love both near and far.

Our vision is to be a gospel-centered family where everyone we encounter moves closer to Jesus every day.