Discipleship Team Lead

DISCIPLESHIP TEAM LEAD

Hillside Fellowship

Adult Ministries Department  |  Full-Time  |  Exempt

Anticipated Start Date: January 2027

Reports To: Director of Adult Ministries

Schedule: Sunday - Thursday, with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities

Benefits: As outlined in the Hillside Fellowship Personnel Handbook

ROLE SUMMARY

Hillside Fellowship believes that Jesus Changes Everything! Our mission is that we exist to worship God, by proclaiming Jesus, making disciples, rooted in the Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of God. Discipleship is a byproduct, as we know and make much of Jesus.

The Discipleship Team Lead serves under the direction of the Director of Adult Ministries to provide leadership, oversight, and support for adult discipleship environments at Hillside Fellowship. This role helps cultivate biblically faithful, relationally healthy, and well-supported spaces where adults experience the transforming power of the gospel, grow in spiritual maturity, and take intentional steps toward following Jesus.

This role oversees re:generation and the Journey discipleship program, ensuring each ministry is aligned with Hillside's mission, vision, core values, and discipleship pathway. Working closely with the Director of Adult Ministries, the Discipleship Team Lead develops staff and volunteer leaders, strengthens ministry systems, and helps create environments where adults experience healing, grow in their relationship with Jesus, and become increasingly equipped to live out their faith.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Discipleship Strategy + Alignment

• Provide leadership and oversight for Hillside's discipleship ministries, including re:generation and Journey, ensuring alignment with the church's mission, vision, teaching direction, and strategic discipleship priorities
• Partner with the Director of Adult Ministries to develop clear pathways that help adults move from spiritual need and brokenness toward healing, spiritual growth, and active discipleship
• Evaluate the health, effectiveness, and fruitfulness of discipleship ministries and recommend thoughtful adjustments as needed
• Maintain clarity around the purpose, audience, structure, and desired outcomes of each discipleship ministry
• Help ensure discipleship environments emphasize genuine spiritual transformation rather than program participation alone

Team Leadership + Development

• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and support to assigned Discipleship staff as positions are established and filled
• Establish and maintain clear expectations, responsibilities, and quality standards across Discipleship ministries
• Develop staff through regular one-on-one meetings, constructive feedback, and intentional leadership development opportunities
• Delegate responsibilities appropriately, building confidence, ownership, and leadership capacity while maintaining accountability
• Identify and support opportunities for staff growth and increased responsibility, preparing team members for future ministry leadership opportunities
• Foster a healthy team culture marked by humility, collaboration, accountability, emotional maturity, and genuine care for people

Volunteer Leader Recruitment + Development

• Provide oversight for the recruitment, training, development, and support of volunteer leaders serving within discipleship ministries
• Build a healthy volunteer leadership pipeline by identifying, inviting, equipping, and developing emerging leaders within re:generation and Journey
• Establish clear volunteer expectations, training rhythms, communication structures, and appropriate processes for responding to participant needs
• Provide ongoing coaching, encouragement, and care for volunteer leaders, helping them serve effectively and sustainably
• Encourage volunteer leaders to grow in spiritual maturity, humility, emotional health, and Christ-centered care for others
• Identify and recommend emerging volunteer leaders for broader ministry development opportunities

Ministry Operations + Communication

• Oversee ministry calendars and planning rhythms for re:generation and Journey in coordination with the Director of Adult Ministries
• Ensure discipleship gatherings, programs, and events are well-organized, clearly communicated, and effectively supported
• Provide oversight for registrations, curriculum coordination, volunteer scheduling, participant communication, and follow-up processes
• Collaborate with the Communications Team to ensure discipleship opportunities are promoted clearly, consistently, and accurately
• Maintain effective systems for tracking participation, leader involvement, program health, and ministry engagement
• Ensure appropriate confidentiality, care protocols, and escalation processes are maintained when participants share sensitive information or require additional support

Financial Stewardship + Ministry Oversight

• Assist in developing and managing budgets related to discipleship ministries
• Steward ministry resources wisely and in alignment with Hillside Fellowship's mission, priorities, and strategic objectives
• Monitor ministry expenses and resource allocation throughout the year, making adjustments as needed to support effective stewardship and ministry priorities
• Work with the Director of Adult Ministries to assess future resource needs for curriculum, volunteer development, leader training, and ministry activities
• Provide guidance to ministry staff and volunteers regarding approved spending, resources, and planning processes

Collaboration + Churchwide Alignment

• Collaborate with Adult Ministries staff, ministry leaders, and church leadership to ensure discipleship environments complement and support the broader ministry of Hillside Fellowship
• Participate in planning conversations related to discipleship, spiritual formation, leadership development, care integration, and ministry calendar alignment
• Help connect adults from discipleship environments into broader opportunities for community, service, care, and mission
• Partner with pastoral care and other appropriate ministry leaders to facilitate healthy referrals and transitions when participants need support beyond the scope of discipleship ministries
• Support churchwide initiatives and strategic priorities as requested by the Director of Adult Ministries

Additional Responsibilities

• This role may include additional responsibilities as needed to support the mission and leadership of Hillside Fellowship, with the scope of ministry growing and adapting as organizational needs change

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Faith + Character

• Demonstrates a maturing relationship with Jesus Christ and embodies the culture and values of Hillside Fellowship (Galatians 5:22–23)
• Must be a member of Hillside Fellowship or willing to pursue membership within six months of hire
• Demonstrates a commitment to Hillside Fellowship's mission, vision, and values
• Demonstrates a heart for gospel-centered discipleship and helping adults experience spiritual growth, healing, and transformation
• Approaches leadership with humility, wisdom, integrity, emotional maturity, and a servant-hearted mindset
• Exercises discretion, compassion, and appropriate confidentiality when serving individuals navigating sensitive personal and spiritual circumstances

Education + Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred; degree in ministry, biblical studies, theology, counseling, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of three years of ministry leadership experience in adult discipleship, recovery ministry, spiritual formation, small group ministry, or a related ministry environment
• Experience leading volunteers, teams, or discipleship environments required
• Experience supervising staff preferred or demonstrated readiness to lead and develop direct reports
• Familiarity with the re:generation ministry model, curriculum, and philosophy preferred
• Demonstrated ability to organize ministry systems, develop leaders, communicate clearly, and execute plans with consistent follow-through

Skills + Competencies

• Strong biblical and theological foundation, particularly in discipleship, spiritual formation, and gospel-centered approaches to healing and recovery
• Ability to lead through others and develop staff and volunteer leaders effectively
• Strong leadership, organizational, administrative, and communication skills
• Ability to think both strategically and relationally, with attention to detail and follow-through
• Ability to oversee multiple discipleship environments with clarity, consistency, and appropriate delegation
• Strong interpersonal skills, emotional maturity, and relational wisdom when serving individuals navigating sensitive circumstances
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with staff, volunteers, and ministry leaders across the organization
• Ability to evaluate ministry health, identify challenges, and make thoughtful recommendations that strengthen ministry effectiveness
• Demonstrates initiative, resourcefulness, and proactive problem-solving
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Planning Center, Asana, church management systems (ChMS), and other communication and collaboration tools
• Ability to pass a background check is required