Job Descriptions of Executive Directors of Ministries

The following Executive Director of Ministries job descriptions have been collected by XPastor over the years. Learn from these examples and incorporate elements as they fit your church style and polity. All have been used by permission.

Pastor of Ministry Development of Olathe Bible Church in Olathe, Kansas

2,400 in worship

Position Focus Sheet

Executive Director of Bethany Community Church in Seattle, Washington

1,400 in worship

Purpose

The Executive Director will assist the Senior Pastor with the implementation of vision and spiritual direction of Bethany Community Church, so that the Senior Pastor can continue his main responsibility of teaching, vision casting, and shepherding.

Reports To

Senior Pastor

Resources

The Senior Pastor, Church Council, Finance Director, and Operations Director.

Areas of Responsibility

Execute the vision of the Senior Pastor throughout the Church Leadership Structure by:

• Meet regularly with the Senior Pastor for discipleship, prayer and planning.
• Attend the Church Council Meetings to bring updates and input for the church’s progress.
• Commit to the vision and become creatively involved in its development, articulation, and implementation.
• Develop the leadership structure of the church and oversee its effectiveness.
• Give oversight to the staff culture in such a way that culture increasingly embodies the ethics of servant leadership and commitment demonstrated by Christ.
• Commit to mobilizing and coaching, so that the ministry remains in the hands of the people (Eph. 4:12).
• Streamline job descriptions, communication, and authority paths to maximize personal creativity, strengths, efficiency, and effectiveness, while minimizing bureaucracy. Oversee the launching of new ministries that the Lord raises up, so that they are consistent with the church’s vision, values, and purposes.
• Direct the hiring of staff and also the formal procedure in dismissing or repositioning of staff.
• Handle personnel conflicts and troubleshoot program and ministry challenges.
• In cooperation with the Operations Director, establish church policies and procedures that effectively facilitate the vision.

Lead the Ministry Director Team by:

• Develop a streamlined, coordinated strategy for ministry for all ministries based on the church’s vision, values, and purposes.
• Guide the Ministry Director Team in setting and tracking specific, measurable goals to insure that the vision and purposes of the ministry are being achieved.
• Creat staff meeting agendas and lead those meeting in cooperation with the Senior Pastor and Operations Director so that the staff is informed, equipped, nurtured and a cohesive direction for ministry is provided.

Lead the Ministry Staff by:

• Setting and tracking specific, measurable goals to insure that the vision is being achieved.
• Equipping Ministry Staff for leading their Ministry Team meetings with volunteers.
• Oversee the budget development, budget adherence, and cash flow in conjunction with the Finance Director.
• Perform semi-annual performance reviews on direct reports and follow through with Senior Pastor.

The Executive Director will also assume other responsibilities as directed by the Senior Pastor subject to the approval of the church council.

Position Requirements

• The top two professional requirements for this position are that the individual needs to be an exceptional manager and that they have the ability to lead a large organization.
• Significant experience in administration of a church or a business is required, with specific human resources, project management and/or financial background a plus.
• Minimum of ten years managing multiple staff of at least 6-8 people in a church and/or non-profit setting required. Experience working on a church staff is helpful but at least five years of marketplace experience is required.
• Work history on or with a church staff is preferred, so that the candidate has an understanding of the requirements and demands of a pastoral staff, staffing issues, church budgets and ministry development.
• A Bachelor’s degree is required and a MS, MBA or M. Div preferred.
• Spiritual gifts of leadership and administration with the ability to encourage others are required.
• Proven ability to provide strong input into an organization’s strategic direction. Ability to translate vision and mission into staffing, budget, and facilities plans.
• Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills and proven presentation skills.
• Proven ability in successfully serving as overall staff leader, developing policies and procedures, and hiring, developing, and terminating staff members.
• Background in organizational development with abilities to coach and develop staff and volunteers.
• Proven ability to develop and implement a plan to completion.
• Proven track record of getting projects and tasks completed on time and on budget while also working well with others in the process.
• Proven ability to excel while working in a rapidly changing, dynamic environment of diverse scope and constituencies.
• Background working with and developing annual budgets of at least $1 million, facilities management, financial management and administrative functions.

Specifications

Full Time: 40 hours
Compensation: Full medical and dental benefits package, auto and expense account, and continuing education reimbursement.
Salary: Dependent upon experience

Permission by Jim McClurg

Executive Director of Ministries of Beechwood Church in Holland, Michigan

500 in worship

This position is responsible for:

1. Day-to-day administration, management and operations of the church.
2. Continuing development of a strategic vision process which is endorsed by the leadership and the congregation.
3. Execution of an effective and efficient means for supporting the church’s ministries, resources and personnel.
4. Assistance to the pastoral staff as needed for the ministry of the church.

Position: Executive, Ministry Support

• Accountable to: Senior Pastor
• Ministry target: Church in general
• Position is: Paid staff
• Position may be filled by: Church member or non-member
• Minimum maturity level: Solid, very mature Christian
• Spiritual gifts: Administration and Leadership
• Talents or abilities desired: Good organizational skills, ability to lead others, strategic thinking, proven business experience including finance, solid Bible interpretation
• Best personality traits: Leader-dependable, Expresser, Team Builder
• Passion for: Assisting the pastoral staff and Consistory in leading the church
• Length of service commitment: Two years minimum

Anticipated Time Commitments

1. Doing ministry/preparing for ministry: Full time, off on Saturday and one day during week, not to coincide with the senior pastor, except for emergencies and special occasions.
2. Participating in meetings/training: As required.

Responsibilities/Duties

1. Manage the daily operations of the church.
2. Conduct goal setting, performance reviews and staff training.
3. Implement church policies and procedures under direction of the Consistory.
4. Assist leadership in defining the dynamic vision for the church in accordance with Scripture and “The Purpose Driven Church.”
5. Assist the church’s ministries in developing ministry plans that provide for achieving the immediate, near-term and longer-term goals and objectives.
6. Together with the leadership (Elders and Deacons), provide oversight and administrative support to all established and new ministries of the church.
7. Pray for and support the pastoral staff. Assist in solving ministry problems.
8. Facilitate staff meetings and leadership training sessions.
9. Help develop and oversee ministry budgets and monitor ministry expenditures.
10. Develop and recommend strategies for ministry growth and program development.
11. Coordinate all aspects of the church’s internal and external communications and media efforts.
12. Assist the pastoral staff and Consistory so that foundational beliefs of Scripture are accepted, adhered to and promoted by all individuals in a position of leadership and ministry support.
13. Assist in orientation of church leaders regarding church ministries and operation.

Permission by Mike Gafa.

Anonymous Executive Director of Ministries

I. Title

Executive Director of Ministries (also known as Executive Pastor)

II. Reports to

Senior Pastor

III. Role

Operating as an extension of the Senior Pastor, sharing the vision and responsibilities to manage and direct the implementation of the vision and ministry plan of BFC; including coordinating all strategic and scenario planning, staffing of all personnel, goal setting, and formulation of operational policies and procedures.

IV. Scope of Ministry

Ministry Directors: Children, Youth, Care, Worship Arts, Community Life, Operations, Accounting, Human Resource, Preschool.

V. Approximate Time Requirements

Average of about 50 hours per week.

VI. Responsibilities

1. Vision
   • Assist Senior Pastor in developing and clarifying vision. Meet weekly with Senior Pastor.
   • Implement the vision with the staff (Ministry Directors).
   • Become chief spokesperson for implementing vision.
2. Strategic and Scenario Planning
   • Coordinate (strategic and scenario) planning process with Senior Pastor and Ministry Directors.
   • Work with Senior Pastor to develop and clarify major objectives and goals.
   • Manage progress of staff (Ministry Directors).
   • Assures development of volunteer (servant) leadership training and oversight of their ministries by Ministry Directors.
3. Ministry Staff
   • Works with staff team to implement vision (recruits, trains, develops, and directs ministry team).
   • Manages and evaluates staff by objectives and goals (evaluation).
   • Presides over Ministry Director’s (staff) meetings.
   • Gives support, encouragement and oversight to ministry team leaders to ensure their understanding of vision.
   • Assists in new staff positions and changes.
   • Creates an environment for all staff through their Ministry Director, to be creative, feel valued and cared for and to have opportunities to develop their S.H.A.P.E.
   • Meets at least twice monthly with each Ministry Director (staff), except monthly with the Preschool Director.
   • Incorporates staff recommendations for vision implementation.
4. Administration
   • Works with Senior Pastor and Ministry Directors to develop operational policies and procedures.
   • Responsible for ministry, finances, administration, and operations of the church.
   • Ex-officio member of the Board of Elders and Executive Committee of the Elders without a vote in 2008.
   • Meet regularly with Administrative Assistant for communication, planning and coordination.
5. Added Responsibilities Since Original Job Description.
   1. Small Group Leadership: Model leading and reproducing small groups by regularly leading a small group.
   2. Men’s Ministry: Attend the men’s special events as available and men’s retreat each year.
   3. Elders: Provide administrative support to the Elders. See that their notebook of meetings and minutes are kept accurate and that all policies are kept organized and available as needed.
   4. Teaching Pastor’s Team: Participate in teaching on weekends as scheduled.

VII. Primary Strengths and Abilities Needed

1. A passion for and commitment to the leadership of Jesus Christ and application of the Scripture.
2. A demonstrable prayer life that seeks God’s wisdom and direction in all decision making.
3. The ability to communicate a caring, loving heart, coupled with the skills of an effective leader and manager.
4. Organized, persuasive, skilled in delegation. Also needed is experience in master planning (strategic or situational planning).
5. Demonstrates faith by discovering solutions and investigating all ministry possibilities.
6. Enables us to develop an ethnically diverse ministry team.
7. Able to preach and teach with sufficient skill for weekend services.

Used by permission.