Executive Pastor

Position Summary

The Executive Pastor serves as a vital partner to the Lead Pastor, helping turn vision into reality through strategic leadership, ministry alignment, and relational discipleship. This role oversees church-wide systems, staff development, hospitality, and connections. With a heart for people, this pastor builds healthy teams, develops leaders, and fosters environments where individuals and families can belong, grow, and thrive in Christ. This position includes opportunities for preaching and teaching.

Key Responsibilities

1. Ministry Strategy & Execution

*Collaborate with the Lead Pastor to implement the church’s vision through actionable plans, systems, and initiatives.
*Ensure church-wide ministries operate in alignment with the church’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.
*Lead the development and improvement of processes that support long-term engagement and healthy ministry operations.
*Provide a bridge between vision and execution, ensuring clarity, momentum, and accountability.

2. Leadership & Team Development

*Provide supervision, support, and alignment for Children’s, Youth, and College-age church staff.
*Assist in leading weekly staff meetings and facilitate cross-ministry collaboration.
*Foster a healthy, accountable, and aligned team culture that supports the church’s vision.
*Identify and invest in emerging leaders within the congregation.

3. Hospitality & Connections

*Oversee first impressions ministries (greeters, welcome center, signage, etc.) to ensure a welcoming environment that reflects the grace and hospitality of Christ.
*Lead systems for guest follow-up, new attender engagement, and volunteer onboarding to foster connection and belonging.
*Identify, train, and empower leaders to serve in hospitality and connection ministries.
*Collaborate with the Lead Pastor in developing discipleship environments

4. Outreach & Community Engagement

*Assist the Lead Pastor in strategic efforts to engage neighbors, schools, and the broader community.
*Help people move from community engagement to church connection and discipleship.

5. Preaching, Teaching, and Pastoral Care

*Preach approximately 8 – 12 times per year in Sunday services.
*Teach as needed, as opportunities arise, or as appropriate to the context.
*Assist Lead Pastor with visitation & pastoral care as needed.

Qualifications

*A growing, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ and being in harmony with the mission, doctrine, and polity of the Church of the Nazarene.
*Proven ability to lead people, develop ministries, and implement systems.
*Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in ministry or leadership preferred.
*Minimum 5 years of ministry leadership experience (staff supervision preferred).
*Experience in a multi-staff church environment is strongly preferred.

Personal Characteristics

*Spirit-led and mission-driven
*Collaborative leader who enjoys building systems and teams
*Systems thinker who thrives in execution and follow-through
*Hospitable, encouraging, and approachable

If interested in applying, please send the following to josh@gracelifenaz.org

1. Resume with cover letter
2. 2-3 minute video introducing yourself and sharing your philosophy of ministry. (Optional)