Associate Pastor of Discipleship, Serve and Community Life

• 4800 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92604

• Full-time, Salaried, Exempt Position

• $90,000–$110,000 annually

Job Description

Good Shepherd is seeking a relational, visionary, and mission-driven leader to serve as our Associate Pastor of Discipleship, Serve and Community Life. This role provides leadership for adult discipleship, community engagement, and outreach, helping people take meaningful next steps in faith, belonging, and service.

The right candidate is a strong leader who can build systems, develop servant leaders, and create environments where people grow spiritually, build authentic relationships, and live on mission together. This person will oversee adult ministry pathways, community-building opportunities, and local outreach initiatives while helping cultivate a culture of discipleship across the life of the church.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide vision, leadership, and oversight for adult discipleship and community life

• Develop clear pathways for adults to move from attending to belonging to serving

• Lead and strengthen local serve initiatives and strategic community partnerships

• Recruit, equip, and shepherd servant leaders across multiple ministry areas

• Support pastoral needs through preaching, weddings, memorials, and pastoral care as needed

Discipleship & Community Life

• Develop and champion a cohesive vision for adult discipleship aligned with the mission of Good Shepherd

• Oversee Men’s, Women’s, Young Adults, Sharpies (55 ), and Journey Groups ministries

• Support ministry leaders through coaching, encouragement, and leadership development

• Ensure adult ministries are aligned, healthy, and producing clear discipleship outcomes

• Create meaningful connection points through retreats, gatherings, and ministry events

Serve & Outreach

• Champion the church’s vision for serving the local community

• Build and steward relationships with schools, nonprofits, shelters, and community partners

• Lead service initiatives, compassion ministries, and outreach events throughout the year

• Mobilize volunteers and servant leaders for local outreach opportunities

• Support a defined level of international mission engagement and partner relationships

Leadership Development

• Develop leadership pipelines and succession planning across ministry areas

• Create systems for volunteer onboarding, ministry tracking, and follow-up

• Oversee ministry budgets, calendars, and planning processes

• Collaborate with Communications, Worship, Kids, Youth, and Care ministries to strengthen church-wide engagement

• Share stories of life change and ministry impact with the congregation

Pastoral Support

• Provide preaching support as scheduled

• Officiate weddings, memorials, and funerals in alignment with church values and theology

• Offer premarital support and pastoral care as needed

• Assist with pastoral coverage during staff absences or high-demand ministry seasons

Organizational Structure

• Reports directly to the Executive Director of Church and Preschool

• Works closely with the EOS Team and ministry staff

• Collaborates with servant leaders across adult ministry and outreach areas

• Supports the overall mission and vision of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; seminary training and ordination encouraged

• Pastoral ministry experience strongly preferred

• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills

• Experience building volunteer teams and developing leaders

• Ability to think strategically while executing ministry details effectively

• Warm, relational presence with strong pastoral instincts

• Alignment with the mission, theology, and values of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Additional Information

All Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Staff:

• Love Jesus and call themselves Christians.

• Display Christ-like attitudes and behavior through personal conduct and lifestyle.

• Are Coachable and open to feedback and growth.

• Do Whatever It Takes to serve the mission of the church and support the team.

• Are actively Growing in Christ through their personal faith and participation in the life of the church.

• Create a Warm and Inviting environment for everyone who walks through our doors.

• Show accountability in their role and on the team.

• Exhibit a passion to build God’s Kingdom.