Connections, Director

The Director of Connections exists to help people take meaningful next steps in their faith by creating welcoming, engaging, and intentional pathways for guests and attenders to become fully connected to the life of Grace Fellowship Church. This role provides strategic leadership for the Connections Ministry by developing systems, equipping volunteers, and fostering environments where people experience authentic hospitality, build relationships, and engage in discipleship.

The Director is a strategic leader with strong organizational skills, a heart for people, and a passion for developing teams. This position oversees the guest experience from first impressions through ongoing engagement, provides leadership for Growth Track and baptism, and collaborates across ministries to support Grace Fellowship Church’s discipleship pathway: Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, and Make a Difference. The Director also leads the planning and execution of major churchwide events that create meaningful opportunities for connection and engagement.

Primary Position Responsibilities

• Provide leadership that supports and advances the vision, mission, and values of Grace Fellowship Church.
• Develop, implement, and continually improve the overall strategy for the Connections Ministry, including Guest Services, Grace Café, Growth Track, and Baptism.
• Create welcoming environments that provide an exceptional first impression from the parking lot through the worship experience.
• Recruit, train, coach, disciple, schedule, and recognize volunteer leaders and teams serving within the Connections Ministry.
• Develop systems that help guests and attenders connect to groups, serving opportunities, and other next steps in spiritual growth.
• Establish effective follow-up processes that encourage first-time guests and returning attenders to become actively engaged in church life.
• Maintain accurate records of guests, attenders, volunteers, and engagement metrics using church management systems and other technology tools.
• Analyze ministry data, guest feedback, and volunteer input to evaluate effectiveness and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Adult Ministries, Children’s Ministry, Student Ministries, Pastoral Care, Worship, Production, Communications, and other ministry teams to ensure a seamless and unified guest experience.
• Provide strategic input regarding communication and promotional efforts that support Connections initiatives.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of major churchwide events and celebrations, including Easter, Christmas, Fall Kickoff, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, volunteer appreciation events, and similar ministry initiatives.
• Develop systems and processes that promote excellence, safety, hospitality, and operational effectiveness across all Connections environments.
• Ensure all ministry activities comply with Grace Fellowship Church policies, procedures, and safety standards.
• Participate in staff meetings, ministry planning, leadership development, and other responsibilities as assigned.

Candidate Criteria

• Vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus Christ, demonstrating spiritual maturity and Christian character.
• Fully supports and models the mission, vision, values, and doctrinal beliefs of Grace Fellowship Church.
• Passion for helping people connect with Christ, community, and their next step in discipleship.
• Demonstrated leadership experience building, developing, and leading volunteer teams.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to design and implement effective ministry systems and processes.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong relational skills with the ability to build trust across diverse groups of people.
• Ability to lead collaboratively while fostering unity across multiple ministries.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Proficient with technology, Microsoft Office, church management systems, and communication platforms, with the ability to quickly learn new software.
• Ability to analyze ministry data and use metrics to improve ministry effectiveness.
• Commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive, and engaging environments for guests and attenders.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in church ministry, nonprofit leadership, hospitality, volunteer management, or a related field preferred.
• Experience leading volunteers, coordinating events, and developing ministry systems is strongly preferred.
• Experience serving in a large church or multi-campus ministry environment is beneficial.

Success Outcomes

• Guests consistently experience a welcoming, engaging, and well-organized first impression.
• Effective systems move guests and attenders into Growth Track, groups, serving opportunities, baptism, and other next steps.
• Healthy volunteer recruitment, development, retention, and leadership growth within the Connections Ministry.
• Churchwide events are executed with excellence through strong planning, collaboration, and volunteer engagement.
• Ministry data demonstrates increasing guest engagement and connection into the life of the church.
• Cross-ministry partnerships strengthen a unified discipleship pathway and create a seamless experience for attenders.

Working Hours and Conditions

Business Hours / Exceptions

This position is full time with various hours, including evenings and weekends as required by ministry needs. Additional hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required during designated all-church events, including Christmas, Easter, and Fall Launch.

Working Environment

Church office and worship environments; fast paced, team-oriented ministry setting

Travel Requirements

Occasional offsite meetings and periodic travel for training, conferences, professional development, or multi/campus support may be required.

Salary

• Commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• This job description outlines primary responsibilities, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. Additional duties may be assigned as ministry needs and opportunities arise.