Connections Pastor

River Valley Church; Shakopee (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

River Valley Church in Shakopee, MN is seeking a Connections Pastor to lead and grow the campus connection programs, including Small Groups, Dream Teams, Serve Our Community, and Welcome Home initiatives.

You will recruit, train, and care for volunteers, coordinate guest services and communications, manage the campus database, and partner with central ministries to execute the vision across River Valley campuses.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of related experience preferred.
• Pastoral leadership experience is desirable.
• Experience with church databases and event management is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Champion and manage campus connection programs (Small Groups, Dream Teams, Serve Our Community, Welcome Home).
• Recruit, develop, and coach volunteers and leaders.
• Oversee Welcome Center, Dream Team training, and Guest Services operations.
• Ensure campus administrative elements are handled timely (weekend follow-up, emails, calendar coordination, registrations).
• Collaborate with Central Ministries to align on strategy and communications across campuses.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal communication

Active listening

Administrative skills (G Suite & DBs)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in ministry or related field

Pastoral license preferred

Assemblies of God credentials preferred

Job description

Position Summary

The Connections Pastor is responsible for building, managing, and growing the connection specific programming and participation at the local campus level, specifically the Shakopee Campus. This position is responsible for leading both high capacity volunteers as well as new attendees or new dream team members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Champion and Manage the expression of all Central Connection strategies at the campus level

  • Be the campus leader for all connection related programs: Small Groups, Dream Teams, Serve Our Community (based on campus need), Welcome Home groups, and guest services

  • Continually identify, recruit, and develop new Small Group and Dream Team leaders and coaches

  • Work with the campus staff to strategically grow campus involvement in all Connection expressions: Small Groups, Dream Teams, Serve Our Community projects/events, etc.

    • Oversee and encourage small group and dream team ownership of Serve our community projects in the local community

    • Champion involvement in Welcome Home groups with guests and disengaged attenders

• Manage Welcome Center resources, Dream team training, and overall operations of Guest Services

• Ensure all administrative elements of Connection ministries are conducted in a timely manner

  • Ensure all weekend connect card follow up and requests are attended to

  • Monitor and respond to Connections related emails and phone calls, as applicable.

  • Assist in sending out communication emails from the ministry to either internal or external recipients

  • Assist with ministry specific calendar appointments

  • Scheduling meetings or training for volunteers serving in connections

  • Reserve and order room space, refreshments, etc. as necessary for Connections events and initiatives

  • Own the Church Database for tracking of Connection related participations

  • Setting up and managing ministry specific event registrations

  • Track ministry spending in relation to budget. This may include:

    • Processing reimbursements by handling check requests, purchase orders and receipts

    • Tracking expenditures directly related to the ministry

• Demonstrate Leadership among campus teams, volunteers, and within the Connections team at River Valley

  • Be intentional about building relationships with the campus deacons, coaches, leaders, and small group and dream team members

  • Train and CARE for small group and dream team coaches so they are developing and coaching other small group and dream team leaders.

  • Work Lobby and serve team areas before, after, and occasionally during service, making it a priority to connect and encourage dream team members, leaders, and coaches

  • Work closely with central staff to strategize and implement the vision for connection strategies across all River Valley Church campuses

  • Provide Feedback to the Central Connections team on proposed strategies.

  • Aid in the communication to and from the Central Ministries department(s) related to ministry needs, resources, challenges, wins, etc.

  • Work closely with Central connections team on curriculum improvements, marketing efforts, Welcome Home attendance reporting, etc. for all applicable connections’ programs

• Help provide pastoral care (if a licensed pastor) to the campus by assisting in care needs

  • Rotate as the Pastoral point of contact for walk-in requests

  • Attend to pastoral care and counseling needs, as directed

  • Perform weddings, funerals, and other services as needed

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead leaders
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to listen attentively and communicate with empathy
• Strong administrative duties, including work with G-suite and database software, preferred

Education

Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from a four year college or university in a ministry related degree and Pastoral license is preferred. Qualified candidates should either have ministerial credentials or be working towards obtaining credentials. Credentials with the Assemblies of God are preferred.

Experience

Preferred candidates should have at least 3-5 years related experience.