Overview

The Connect + Belong Pastor/Director leads First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa to help people move from attending to belonging by developing environments where adults build meaningful relationships, experience spiritual family, and grow together. This role oversees all groups and adult ministries (Men's, Women's, and Senior Adults) ensuring clear pathways that help every adult find connection, care, and community as they pursue Jesus.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the Connect + Belong Team (30%)

• Provide vision, direction, and alignment for all adult groups and ministries• Coach and support staff and volunteer leaders across Men's, Women's, and Senior Adult ministries• Foster a culture of warmth, care, and community throughout the church• Manage budgets, resources, and long-term planning aligned with the church's mission and values

Groups Ministry (50%)

• Lead the development of a healthy groups system for adults of all ages (Life Groups, Discipleship Groups, and specialty groups)• Recruit, train, and equip group leaders to cultivate biblical community, spiritual growth, and relational belonging• Partner with the Serve + Influence Team processes to ensure every adult has a clear path into belonging• Help new people connect quickly through groups, adults events, and relational environments• Ensure on-ramps for new people to join groups and find "their people"

Guide Adult Ministry Environments (20%)

• Oversee Men's, Women's, and Senior Adult ministries, providing vision, leadership development, and strategic direction• Help develop and meet regularly with volunteer leadership teams for men's and women's ministries• Support leaders in creating gatherings, events, and studies that deepen connection and foster discipleship• Strengthen pastoral care and relational support within each ministry• Provide direction for Wednesday night adult activities

Success in this role looks like:

Every adult at FBCT has a clear path to community—finding their people, growing together, and being cared for through healthy groups and adult ministries.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ• Agreement with the First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa Statement of Faith and commit to a lifestyle that is consistent with the same• First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa membership• Gift of encouragement and edifying others• Talent for administration, overseeing personnel and processes• Equipped with the ability to work without close supervision• Skilled in listening effectively and communicating clearly• Possess organizational skills• Computer and Tech savvy, proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Slack, Square, Jotform, Planning Center, Paycom, Adobe and Google applications (or possesses willingness and ability to quickly become proficient in these areas)• Hold the skills to plan, implement and analyze• Ability to lead teams and sub-teams on a large organizational level• Adept in handling moderate stress levels• Solid team player who can play role as servant, leader or peer in team dynamics

Requirements: (Preferred)

• BA or MA in a field related to Christian Education• Minimum of 7 years-experience as a staff member in a ministry leadership capacity• High degree of Emotional Intelligence (i.e., self-awareness, self-management, social-awareness, and social/relational management)• Regular and certain attendance

Ministerial Staff ADA Essential Functions:

• Reading and/or preparing written reports/memos/notifications• Hearing and communicating verbally with members, staff and others• Math, reasoning and problem solving• Contact with members and non-members• Maintaining confidentiality• Supervising staff and/or volunteers• Reaching, climbing stairs, walking, standing, sitting, use hands to manipulate, handle or feel• Lifting and/or carrying up to 25 lbs. and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee generally will function in a climate-controlled environment. The employee may occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions including periods of extreme cold or extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually mild.

*First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa in compliance with the Americas with Disabilities Act will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities