Heritage Church is looking for a Connections Pastor.
The Connections Pastor at Heritage Church will play a vital role in helping every person who walks through our doors feel seen, known, and welcomed into the life of our church family. This position exists to build bridges — from first-time guest to devoted member — through intentional follow-up, vibrant life groups, and a culture of genuine belonging. The Connections Pastor serves as a collaborative and enthusiastic team player who leads with humility, creativity, and a heart for people at every stage of their faith journey.
Key Responsibilities
First Impressions Ministry
Create and sustain a welcoming environment that reflects the warmth and love of Christ from the moment guests arrive on our campus.
• Recruit, train, and develop a volunteer team for all first impressions roles, including greeters, door holders, parking lot attendants, and hospitality teams.
• Design and oversee the full guest experience from the parking lot through the sanctuary, ensuring a seamless and warm arrival.
• Establish consistent training and standards for all guest-facing volunteers to ensure excellence and authenticity.
• Coordinate welcome areas, guest connection tables, and resource stations during each weekend service.
• Regularly evaluate and improve first impressions systems through guest feedback and team debriefs.
Visitor Follow-Up & Assimilation
Develop and manage a strategic, compassionate follow-up system that moves first-time visitors toward connection and long-term commitment.
• Oversee the collection and management of guest information through connection cards, digital check-in systems, and other touchpoints.
• Coordinate timely, personal follow-up outreach including handwritten notes, phone calls, text messages, and email sequences.
• Plan and host regular “Next Steps” gatherings, new member classes, and church tours to orient newcomers to our mission and values.
• Track guest retention data and report assimilation metrics to pastoral leadership on a regular basis.
• Partner with other ministry leaders to ensure guests are personally introduced to relevant next steps in community and service.
Social Media & Digital Communication
Leverage digital platforms to extend the reach of connection ministry, engage the congregation, and create an inviting online presence for prospective visitors.
• Manage and create content for church social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) with a focus on community life, event promotion, and storytelling.
• Develop a consistent content calendar that reflects the rhythm of church life and seasonal ministry priorities.
• Capture and share stories of life change, group highlights, and volunteer spotlights to inspire engagement.
• Respond to digital inquiries, comments, and messages promptly and pastorally.
• Collaborate with any communications or creative staff/volunteers to ensure brand consistency and quality.
Technology & Church Management Systems
Champion the effective use of technology tools to streamline communication, connection, and ministry data management.
• Serve as a key user and administrator of the church’s Church Management Software, such as Planning Center.
• Maintain accurate database records for guests, members, group participation, and volunteer engagement.
• Utilize digital tools for scheduling volunteers, sending automated communications, and tracking connection pathways.
• Stay current with emerging technology trends relevant to church connection and communication ministries.
• Train volunteers and staff on digital tools as needed to maximize effectiveness across the connections team.
Life Groups Ministry
Build a thriving small group culture that provides every person in our congregation the opportunity for meaningful biblical community.
• Cast vision for, organize, and oversee all adult life groups and small group ministry initiatives.
• Recruit, train, and provide ongoing support and coaching for group leaders.
• Create and maintain a simple, accessible on-ramp for new and returning attenders to find and join a group.
• Develop curriculum resources, leader toolkits, and seasonal group campaigns in alignment with church teaching themes.
• Regularly meet with group leaders for encouragement, problem-solving, and leadership development.
• Establish clear pathways for group members to grow into leadership roles within the life group ministry.
Leadership Within Other Ministries
Serve as a collaborative and supportive leader who actively contributes beyond the connections ministry to the overall health and mission of the church.
• Partner with children’s, student, women’s, and men’s ministry leaders to ensure connected pathways across all age and affinity groups.
• Participate in all-staff meetings, planning retreats, and church-wide events as a contributing team member.
• Assist in coordinating volunteers for special events, outreach initiatives, and seasonal services (Christmas, Easter, etc.).
• Serve as a point of pastoral care referral, connecting individuals and families to appropriate ministries and resources.
• Model servant leadership and a team-first attitude in all staff and ministry interactions.
Qualifications & Requirements
Required
• Genuine, growing personal faith in Jesus Christ and active involvement in local church life.
• 3+ years of ministry experience in a church setting, preferably in connections, discipleship, or pastoral care.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to warmly engage people of all backgrounds and life stages.
• Demonstrated leadership ability — experience recruiting, training, and developing volunteers.
• Proficiency with social media platforms and willingness to engage digital communication tools.
• Familiarity with church management or database software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in ministry, theology, communications, or a related field (or equivalent ministry experience).
• Agreement with the church’s statement of faith and core values.
Preferred
• Experience leading or coaching small group/life group ministry.
• Familiarity with assimilation strategies and guest follow-up systems.
• Musical ability — experience in worship leading or instrumental participation is a plus and may be utilized in ministry contexts.
Character & Competencies
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following qualities:
• Warm, approachable, and genuinely people-oriented.
• Highly organized with strong follow-through and attention to detail.
• A true team player who elevates those around them.
• Creative problem-solver who thrives in a dynamic ministry environment.
• Comfortable with technology and eager to learn new tools.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Spiritually grounded, emotionally healthy, and committed to personal growth.
• Humble, coachable, and enthusiastic about collaboration across ministry teams.
If interested, please reach out to us via email: jason@hfchurch.org