Are you comfortable with the status quo? Rather not see things change? Prefer the old-school way of doing things? If this fits you, then skip this ad.

But if you’re not happy with doing things the way they’ve always been done. If you know there’s more to developing disciples than just getting people in the pews on Sunday mornings. If you’ve got a passion for helping people on their Christian walk while building the Body of Christ at large, then read onward.

Pender United Methodist Church is a grace-filled, family-oriented, mission-committed, Bible-based and welcoming fellowship of more than 1000 families in Fairfax, VA, in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Our core spiritual objectives are: Knowing God, Loving God and others, Growing in God, Serving God and Sharing God.

Pender has a new position designed for the experienced and energetic ministry leader who can help us grow our church from the inside. The Director of Discipleship and Leadership Development will work across existing ministries and outside the traditional walls to encourage greater involvement in and depth of our adults as disciples. You will develop, and implement a discipleship plan that encourages all adults at Pender to become fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ. We’re looking for both the architect and the builder – someone to both dream and produce.

The right individual is one who’s not afraid to reach out, up, down, and across the church to find ways to help grow individuals through identification and utilization of their special gifts and graces. This new leader will be comfortable developing deploying, and coordinating a disciple-making system that includes the identification of adult spiritual growth needs along with strategic groups or classes for spiritual growth in all stages of discipleship development. You’ll lead strategy/visioning groups for spiritual growth. You’ll identify, train, and equip spiritual leaders for service throughout the church. You’ll assist in ministry placement to help members identify where they may most effectively and joyfully serve God.

You’ll recruit and train servant volunteers in support of existing, planned and projected ministries in accordance with the strategic plan. You’ll provide ministry resources for chairpersons for effective committee and ministry work. And you’ll resource the Education Committee in the training and development of teachers.

Along with clergy, staff and laity, you’ll help coordinate and develop the existing small group ministry (to include training/related programs) and provide insight for an overall philosophy of Christian education in the life of a disciple.

We are looking for someone with a strong and robust faith walk who’s ready to be that coach for others. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, is a team player, has both the desire and ability to pour into others, has a true passion for adult discipleship, strong people skills, will be highly organized, and will be energized by working with a broad variety of spiritual personality types.

It’s a big job, but also a hugely rewarding one as you encourage others on their walk and give them the tools they need to help expand the Body of Christ. Sound like you’re up to the challenge? Is God calling you to take part in this new and exciting challenge to help leader others to Christ in a loving and supportive congregation? If so, contact us today.

Submit a resume and a one-page personal statement telling us about you, your faith walk and your vision of adult discipleship to  debbie.m    @          penderumc.org.