Associate Pastor

Brief Description

The Associate Pastor is a non-ordained pastoral leader at Sandals Church entrusted with the spiritual health, operational excellence, and strategic growth of their assigned campus. By balancing shepherding care with high-level organizational leadership, this role creates and maintain environments where people can be real with self, others, and God.

The Associate Pastor is a non-ordained pastoral leader at Sandals Church entrusted with the spiritual health, operational excellence, and strategic growth of their assigned campus. By balancing shepherding care with high-level organizational leadership, this role creates and maintain environments where people can be real with self, others, and God.

The role of Associate Pastor exists to recognize and affirm a staff member’s pastoral calling, character, and work. In this capacity, the Associate Pastor functions fully as a shepherd and leader—utilizing campus operations, volunteer development, and guest experience as their primary ministry field. This title is a developmental step toward pastoral ordination, reflecting the qualifications and spirit of leadership outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9, Acts 6:3–6, Hebrews 13:17, and 1 Peter 5:1–5.

• Reports To:
  
  Campus Pastor (or supervising Ordained Pastor)
• Role Context:
  Within the pastoral structure of Sandals Church, the Associate Pastor sits between the Licensed Minister and the Ordained Pastor. Associate Pastors are organizational members and licensed ministers who carry recognized pastoral authority.

• Pastoral Leadership & Shepherding
• Spiritual Care:
  Provide prayer, biblical counsel, and spiritual guidance to the congregation, staff, and volunteer teams.
• Sacramental Duties:
  Conduct baptisms, weddings, and funerals as a recognized licensed minister within Sandals Church.
• Teaching & Preaching:
  Teach or preach as approved by the Multisite XP and Campus Pastor, communicating truth in a way that helps people take their next steps.
• Pastoral Representation:
  Represent the heart and vision of Sandals Church pastorally within the ministry context and the local community.
• Strategic Campus Operations
• Culture & Environment:
  Proactively oversee and regularly monitor the campus culture and guest experience to ensure a thriving environment for newcomers and regulars alike.
• Growth & Retention:
  Lead strategies to increase attendance and improve retention, including playing a large role in the guest follow-up process for the campus.
• Guest Services Oversight:
  Build, equip, and develop a team of volunteers to own every element of the Guest Services ministry, from parking and seating to every detail in between.
• Community Outreach:
  Build relationships with other organizations in the community and help coordinate local outreach and mission trips.
• Team Development & Oversight
• Volunteer Mobilization:
  Love, lead, equip, and empower volunteers to "do what you do," ensuring all ministries within the campus are effective and thriving.
• Leadership Pipeline:
  Identify and develop emerging leaders, modeling the "Culture Stack" and moving people toward deeper engagement.
• Developmental Growth:
  Actively participate in the Pastoral Development Pathway, seeking growth in theological depth and pastoral maturity under the mentorship of an Ordained Pastor.

• Pastoral Character:
  Lives above reproach and models the vision of Sandals Church:
  To be Real with Self, Others, and God.
• Proven Leadership: A strong, proactive leader who can make decisions and has a track record of people willing to follow their spiritual and organizational guidance.
• Strategic Mindset:
  Future-minded and passionate about organizational health and growth strategies.
• Relational Connectivity: A deep connector of people who is full of energy, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for the local church.
• Theological Alignment:
  Displays a theological understanding consistent with Sandals Church doctrine and shows a commitment to continued learning.

The title of Associate Pastor represents a pastoral role held while employed and in good standing…