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Lay Ministry Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Train lay leaders who conduct religious education programs * Promote attendance at religious ... In what can be best described as a ministry of presence, they are there to offer guidance and ...

Train lay leaders who conduct religious education programs * Promote attendance at religious ... In what can be best described as a ministry of presence, they are there to offer guidance and ...

Train lay leaders who conduct religious education programs * Promote attendance at religious ... In what can be best described as a ministry of presence, they are there to offer guidance and ...

Train lay leaders who conduct religious education programs * Promote attendance at religious ... In what can be best described as a ministry of presence, they are there to offer guidance and ...

Train lay leaders who conduct religious education programs * Promote attendance at religious ... In what can be best described as a ministry of presence, they are there to offer guidance and ...

Lay Ministry information

What are some typical responsibilities for someone serving in lay ministry?

Individuals in Lay Ministry often support clergy by leading prayer groups, organizing community service projects, providing pastoral care to members, facilitating small group discussions, and assisting with worship services. They may also be involved in planning events, supporting educational programs, and visiting members who are sick or homebound. Collaboration with church staff, volunteers, and the broader congregation is common, making teamwork and communication critical day-to-day activities. The role offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact in the spiritual and practical lives of others within the community.

What is a lay ministry?

A Lay Ministry job involves serving in a church or religious organization without being ordained as clergy. Lay ministers often assist with pastoral care, teaching, worship services, outreach, and administrative duties. Their roles vary depending on the denomination and church needs. Some lay ministers receive formal training, while others serve based on experience and personal calling.

What is an example of a lay ministry?

An example of a lay ministry is a church member who volunteers to lead prayer groups, teach Sunday school, or assist with community outreach without formal clergy training. Lay ministers often work alongside clergy and may receive specific training or certification depending on their role and church requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in lay ministry, and why are they important?

To excel in Lay Ministry, you should possess a strong understanding of spiritual teachings, interpersonal communication, and basic pastoral care, typically supported by relevant religious training or experience within a faith community. Familiarity with scheduling tools, community outreach platforms, and possibly basic administrative software can be beneficial. Compassion, active listening, and strong leadership are essential soft skills for building trust and guiding congregations or groups. These abilities enable lay ministers to support spiritual growth, facilitate community engagement, and effectively serve the needs of their faith communities.

What are popular job titles related to Lay Ministry jobs in Minnesota? For Lay Ministry jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lay Ministry jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Lay Ministry jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Lay Ministry jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Lay Ministry job openings:
Infographic showing various Lay Ministry job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Groups and Engagement Pastor

Westwood Community Church

Excelsior, MN • On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Ministry Area: Adult Ministries
Location: Chanhassen
Reports to: Executive Pastor of Ministries
Supervises: Engagement Ministry staff and volunteers, as assigned
Westwood's Way of Life:
Be and love like Jesus
Westwood's Purpose and Mission:
To know God and share Jesus through loving others here, near, and far
Role:
The Groups and Engagement Pastor provides pastoral and strategic leadership to help adults move from attendance to belonging, from belonging to discipleship, and from discipleship to mission. This role exists to connect people into small groups, discipleship environments, serving opportunities, and relational pathways where they can be known, cared for, challenged, and formed in the way of Jesus.
This is a key pastoral role at Westwood. The Groups and Engagement Pastor champions small groups as a primary environment for adult discipleship, care, and community. This person helps ensure that no one falls through the cracks, that leaders are equipped and supported, and that Westwood continues to become a church where people are known, connected, and invited to be and love like Jesus.
Responsibilities:
• Serve as a Pastor at-large of Westwood Community Church, participating in staff meetings, retreats, all-church functions, pastoral care and counsel, teaching, officiating church ordinances, weddings, and funerals as assigned, and serving on a pastor-on-call rotation.
• Lead, develop, and manage Westwood's Engagement Ministry, with primary emphasis on small groups as a central environment for adult discipleship, care, and belonging.
• Build and strengthen a small group culture where people are invited into biblical community, spiritual formation, mutual care, and missional living.
• Recruit, equip, coach, and care for small group leaders, coaches, and other key lay leaders.
• Develop systems for launching new groups, strengthening existing groups, identifying new leaders, and multiplying healthy discipleship environments.
• Provide pastoral oversight and strategic alignment for men's and women's ministry, with an emphasis on connecting these ministries to ongoing small group engagement and discipleship.
• Provide strategic development, implementation, and oversight for Westwood's adult discipleship pathway.
• Design and lead large-funnel engagement experiences that help people move from worship attendance or initial connection into deeper community, discipleship, serving, and mission.
• Partner with campus pastors and ministry leaders to create clear next steps for new attenders, regular attenders, members, and those seeking greater connection.
• Develop systems that help identify, follow up with, and care for people who are new, disconnected, spiritually seeking, or in need of pastoral connection.
• Use data, stories, pastoral insight, and ministry feedback to evaluate engagement trends, group health, leader needs, and gaps in connection.
• Ensure ministry areas are using lay leaders who are trained in Volunteer Development and aligned with Westwood's Leadership Pathway.
• Assist in the development of the annual ministry plan through objectives, budgets, and measurable ministry goals.
• Collaborate with campus pastors as the central voice for groups and engagement ministry.
• Participate with ministry peers in implementing Westwood's mission, vision, and strategy.
• Serve on leadership teams, work groups, and carry out other responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor or Lead Pastor.
• Align to and live out the Westwood Staff Values:
o Head High
o Heart Soft
o Arms Linked
o Feet Forward
Relationships:
• Reports to the Executive Pastor of Ministries.
• Supervises and collaborates with ministry area staff, as assigned.
• Oversees ministry area volunteers and lay leaders.
• Works closely with campus pastors, adult ministry leaders, care ministry leaders, connections teams, and other pastor/director staff.
• Interacts regularly with Westwood staff, congregation members, small group leaders, volunteers, new attenders, and ministry participants.
Requirements
• Someone who lives a life that honors God in heart, actions, and relationships, with the goal of becoming more like Jesus
• Bachelor's degree required. Seminary degree preferred, in process, or equivalent theological training and ministry experience.
• Minimum three years of direct ministry leadership experience required; multisite church experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to pastor, shepherd, counsel, and care for people with wisdom, maturity, and grace.
• Ability to teach and preach the Word of God effectively.
• Demonstrated passion for discipleship, biblical community, leadership development, and helping people take next steps in following Jesus.
• Demonstrated results in building, leading, and multiplying small groups or adult discipleship environments.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement ministry systems, pathways, and scalable engagement strategies.
• Strong relational instincts and excellent interpersonal communication skills with a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to recruit, develop, supervise, coach, and care for employees, volunteers, and ministry leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a highly interdependent church ministry model.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office tools.
• Ability to handle confidential information in a professional and pastoral manner.
• Endorse and support Westwood's Statement of Faith and traditional orthodox evangelical theology.
• Remain a member in good standing of Westwood Community Church
Salary Description
60-70k annually