Heber Ticas, GCI’s national coordinator of Church Multiplication Ministries, offers advice on using ministry (job) descriptions in developing the ministry leaders within your congregation.
As Greg mentions in his letter this month, a “best practice” in developing each ministry leader in your congregation is to utilize a “Ministry Description” (or call it a “Job Description”) that outlines their responsibilities in a way that integrates what they are doing into the missional flow of your church.
As Greg recommends, you as lead pastor should sit down on a regular basis with each ministry leader and review the agreed-upon Ministry Description, looking for points of alignment and conflict. I have used this approach for several years in the congregation I pastor and it’s worked well. Here is one of the ministry descriptions I’m currently using—it’s for the leader of my congregation’s Assimilation Ministries:
MINISTRY DESCRIPTION:
assimilation ministries leader
Description and Purpose of Assimilation Ministries:
This ministry exists to fulfill various important purposes within the missional posture of the church (Colossians 4:5; Matthew 25:21) in accordance with these understandings:
- Assimilation is not the same as spiritual formation. Assimilation is the process used for integrating a person into the life of the church. It seeks to help a person journey from being an occasional visitor to an active, responsible and committed member of the local body of Christ. Spiritual formation is a journey of transformation by which the Spirit leads a person into greater conformity with the image of Jesus.
- God uses our Assimilation Ministries as a vital tool in helping people on this journey of spiritual formation as they are nurtured and “plugged into” our discipleship environments.
- Assimilation Ministries exists to help create an environment that is hospitable and friendly within the congregation—one in which visitors feel loved, welcomed, accepted and that they belong.
- It exists to provide a system by which we keep in constant contact with visitors with the purpose of participating in what the Lord Jesus is doing in these visitors’ lives.
- It exists so that first-time visitors have a powerful, positive first impression of our church.
- It exists to move first-time visitors to becoming second- and third-time visitors, and eventually to becoming active members of our church.
Ministry Vision:
Our vision for Assimilation Ministries is to assist the congregation at large in living out the Great Commission. It does so by fostering a hospitable environment in the congregation, with the overall purpose of participating with Jesus in his desire to save all people.
Ministry Strategy:
- Assimilation Ministries provides four points of contact with visitors and the church as a whole:
- Parking Greeter: This is the first point of contact in the parking lot—an initial welcome given with a great smile, offering to guide the visitor to the second point of contact.
- Door Greeter: This is the second point of contact, now at the front door. This greeter directs the visitor and points out the restrooms, children’s ministry, the sanctuary and refreshments.
- Friend: This person will intentionally look to befriend the visitor. They will offer refreshments, take the visitor to the information table and introduce them to others in the congregation. This person is available both before and after services.
- Usher: This is the last step in the greeting process. It’s the step where the visitor will be seated in a comfortable place, to their liking.
- Assimilation Ministries maintains the information table, paying attention to the table and making sure there is always someone there. This table is an important part of our process for gathering information. The table must have bulletins, connection cards and gift bag always available. The person manning the table must be sure to collect the vital information. At the end of the service, this person provides the ministry leader and lead pastor with a list of visitor information.
- Assimilation Ministries will follow up with visitors as follows:
- Send a personalized thank you letter to be received by Friday
- Make a phone call to them on Tuesday night thanking them for visiting our church and inviting them back.
Ministry Leader Responsibilities:
The Assimilation Ministries leader has these important responsibilities:
- General coordination of the ministry, and effective implementation of the ministry strategy.
- Coordination of the work of all ministry workers.
- Providing a monthly calendar with the specific functions of each ministry member.
- The effective functioning of the ministry within the church (with special emphasis on coordinating attractional events)
- Maintaining unity, motivation and fraternity within the assimilation team. Encourage the ministry workers to have a heart that aches for the community and for sojourners seeking a spiritual experience.
- Execution of the follow-up strategy with first and second time visitors.
- Oversight of the information table, making sure it is stocked with all needed items and making sure that those serving at the table are responsible and dressed properly.
- Recruit and train new ministry workers according to the need.
- Manage the ministry budget with wisdom and for the effective working of the ministry.
- Insure that all leaders in the ministry have an apprentice at all times.
