Who Are We? The Alpine Church of Christ is an established congregation of approximately 450 members in the east Texas city of Longview. Alpine is a growing body of Christ-followers who are currently experiencing a season of renewal and re-visioning. We are grateful for our heritage in the Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement and we recognize the importance of rethinking what it means to live as Christ’s body in our contemporary culture. Alpine believes that our call is not just to believe in Jesus Christ, but to serve as living examples of God’s grace and truth in the world. Here at Alpine, we believe that we exist to “Make and Grow Disciples Who Know, Live, and Share the Love of Jesus!”
Who Are We Searching For? The Alpine Church of Christ is prayerfully seeking a Connections Minister who will partner with our leadership in encouraging spiritual growth and church engagement through participation in our Discipleship Process. Our new Connections Minister will be a deeply committed disciple of Jesus who loves people and desires to see them take the next step in their discipleship. Our new Connections Minister will be skilled in building collaborative ministry teams and designing effective ministry processes that are well-aligned with our Discipleship Statement and Process. The Connections Minister will oversee the movement of guests and new members through our Discipleship Process. In this role, the Connections Minister will support, assist, and guide members through the following steps of our Discipleship Process: 1) Coming to Know the Love of Jesus through regular participation in Sunday Morning Worship; 2) Living the Love of Jesus through regular participation in Sunday Morning Bible Classes; and 3) Sharing the Love of Jesus through participation in a small group or ministry team and participation in Christ’s redemptive mission in the world. Our new Connections Minister will fully embrace Alpine’s Mission and Discipleship Process. In short, the Connections Minister will play a pivotal role in helping move guests, new members, and new Christians toward mature discipleship and engagement in the Alpine Church of Christ.
Who Will The Connections Minister Report To? The Connections Minister will report to the Preaching & Administrative Minister who supervises our church staff.
What Is The Status Of This Position? As a full-time minister’s position, this exempt position qualifies for the ministerial exception.
SPIRITUAL AND PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS- Is a baptized believer in Christ
- Believes the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God
- Maintains a life of personal and spiritual development and accountability as a follower of Christ
- Is growing as a disciple and desires to disciple others
- Refrains from any social or private behavior considered or interpreted as unbecoming of a Christian
- Displays a positive, humble, and teachable spirit
- Maintains a strong prayer life and demonstrates respect and love for God’s Word
- Exemplifies the utmost integrity and demonstrates character that is “above reproach”
- If married, maintains a healthy marriage and family life
RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHURCH, MINISTERS, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS- Fully embraces the Mission and Discipleship Process of the Alpine Church of Christ
- Is passionate and gifted to lead and serve in Connections Ministry
- Is capable of leading, recruiting, training, and supporting ministry team leaders and volunteers
- Is capable of building strong, authentic relationships with ministers, elders, volunteers, and church members
- Communicates regularly and effectively with church staff, elders, and ministry team members
- Demonstrates effective problem-solving and conflict management skills
- Demonstrates an understanding of and willingness to integrate “Simple Church” principles (Clarity, Movement, Alignment, Focus) in the design and implementation of the Connections Ministry
- Demonstrates an aptitude for and/or skills in designing ministry processes
- Builds cooperative and collaborative relationships with church staff, elders, ministry leaders, and church members
- Maintains the highest level of confidentiality
- Willing to attend conferences and seminars to enhance knowledge and skills in Connections Ministry
- Actively participates in church staff meetings
- Participates in annual Ministry & Stewardship Planning Processes for Connections, Growth Track, & Life Groups
MINIMUM SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS- Possesses a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Bible and/or Ministry, or an applicable field
- Has a minimum of three years’ experience in Ministry, preferably in an area related to Connections, Small Groups, or Discipleship
- Is effective in teaching adults of various ages
- Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact with adult volunteers, guests, and church members in a professional manner
- Demonstrates initiative and a strong work ethic
- Demonstrates an ability to organize and manage multiple tasks and projects
- Is effective working with and leading ministry teams and small groups
- Familiarity with church health and church growth literature and resources
- Ability to balance the need for organization/structure with the need for flexibility
- Ability to use or willingness to learn how to use the church database (Realm) to collect and manage information
- Ability to sit for an extended time in an office environment
- Ability to lift medium sized objects associated with job duties
- Ability to be mobile around Alpine’s campus while performing job duties
CONNECTING PEOPLE THROUGH FIRST IMPRESSIONS & MEMBERSHIP- Recruit, train, equip, and support Connections Team leaders and members
- Regularly monitors the movement of guests and new members through our discipleship pathways
- Design a process for effectively welcoming and responding to guests and visitors on Sunday mornings that facilitates positive first impressions and lays the foundation for further engagement
- Participate with Connections Team members in welcoming guests to the Alpine campus on Sunday mornings
- Contacts and meets with guests, visitors, and new members to answer their questions and assist them in taking the next step (baptism, Bible study, encouraging participation in Growth Track, completing a New Member Information Form, Alpine Membership Covenant, etc)
- Engages in Bible Studies with guests who are interested in baptism or connects them to other church members are able to lead those Bible studies
- Encourages and invites guests, visitors, and new members to attend Growth Track Become 101 classes
- Works closely Growth Track Ministry leaders in managing all aspects of the Growth Track process, including the coordination and delivery of Growth Track classes and the recruiting and equipping of teachers and hosts
- Ensures that guest and new member information is put into our church database in a timely and accurate manner
- Works with the office staff to ensure that new members’ pictures are taken and uploaded into Realm
- Coordinates the announcements of new members on Sunday mornings in both written and digital forms
CONNECTING PEOPLE THROUGH BIBLE STUDY, GROUPS, & MINISTRY- Assists guests, visitors, and new members in finding a Sunday morning Bible Class to attend
- Works with Adult Education Ministry Team members to identify suitable Bible Classes for guests, visitors, and new members
- Assists guests, visitors, and new members in finding a Life Group that is a good fit for them
- Works with Life Group Ministry Team members to identify suitable Life Groups for guests, visitors, and new members
- Works with Life Group Ministry Team leaders to recruit, train, equip, and support Life Group Leaders
- Works with Life Group Ministry Team to coordinate the annual Life Group sign-up process
- Coordinates processes related to the ongoing support and maintenance of the Life Group Ministry in conjunction with the Life Group Ministry Team
- In coordination with the Preaching Minister, provide discipleship and spiritual formation resources for Life Groups
- Coordinate with Alpine Ministry leaders to provide ministry and service opportunities for new members
- Work with Growth Track leaders to deliver Growth Track Belong 201 and Body Building 301
- Monitors the assimilation and involvement patterns of new members through their first year at Alpine, responding to individuals and families who are having difficulties assimilating into the Alpine church family
CONNECTING PEOPLE TO DISCIPLE–MAKING AND MISSION- Provide resources, training, and support to individuals and groups who desire to equip themselves for disciple-making
- Work with elders and staff to cultivate a culture of discipleship and disciple-making in the Alpine church
- Mentors and disciples others who desire to grow in their ability to disciple others
