Family Ministry Pastor

Job Description

Job Description

The Family Pastor provides vision, leadership, and pastoral care for all ministries serving children, students, and families (birth–12th grade). This role is responsible for building a unified, scalable discipleship strategy that equips parents, develops leaders, and ensures alignment across Kids and Student Ministries. The Family Pastor leads through staff and leaders—not by executing weekly programming—and is responsible for developing the Kids Ministry Director and overseeing Student Ministry leadership.

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Why We Love This Opportunity

I love this opportunity because Ascent is at an inflection point. They are at a place where growth has been happening and with the right new leader, they believe substantial growth is happening. This person will have a chance to lead at a high level at a church with incredible growth and opportunity.

A great match for this position would be:

• Developer and Manager of Systems and People : Someone who can assess and know systems and the ability to develop systems and people to accomplish the vision of the church.
• Communicator : Someone who is able to communicate God’s Word to the congregation.
• Shepherd : someone who has a heart and passion to care for people and families. 
• Humility with Ideology and Theology : Someone who has a strong biblical theology but is also able to sit in the tension that others may be different and can sit at the table with all individuals and all beliefs.
• Multiplier of People : Someone who can inspire others and multiply people’s skills and gifts for the vision of the church.

About This Organization

Ascent Church started 13 years ago in an old Sam’s Club that had been left vacant for years in the community. Bill Stephens and Jim Candy founded the church, along with a team of about 40-50 people who helped lead all areas of ministry. The two founding pastors had over 40 combined years of experience in strong college, high school, and middle school ministry, and wanted to establish a church that would reflect the high value they put on relationships and walking closely with anyone who walks through our doors. The church grew to over 1200 people in the first 8 years, then COVID hit. We now have about 750-1000 people that call Ascent home, with roughly 500 in attendance on Sundays.

Using scripture as our guide, and the example Jesus set in all ways of life, we built a church with five distinct pillars; Personal, Inspiring, Generous, Risk Taking, and Accessible. We wanted to be a church that cared so deeply for the community that they would be disappointed if we were to leave. We set out to operate with no strings attached generosity, with great relationships and partnerships with all city entities, especially our local schools. We wanted to present the Gospel with great humility, understanding that it’s imperfect people presenting a perfect God in an imperfect way. We focused much of our efforts on intergenerational ministry, recognizing that the future of the church is dependent on our Vintage folks, our kids, and everyone in between.  

We deeply value racial justice, women in any and all areas of leadership in the church, and the ability to sit at the table with people of differing ideologies and theology, and find common ground under the umbrella of Jesus and His love and compassion. We seek to live out the call of Jesus to represent and re-present Him locally, regionally and globally. In this day and age of extreme division in our country and in our churches, we seek to be peacemakers and a church that will draw the unchurched to the love of Jesus, and those in the church to the unity that Jesus prayed for in the days leading up to the cross.

Location

Ascent Church is located in Louisville, Colorado, nestled between Boulder and Denver along the beautiful Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Our community is known for its exceptional quality of life, excellent schools, family-friendly neighborhoods, extensive trail systems, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Residents enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, and mountain adventures, while also benefiting from the cultural, educational, and professional opportunities found throughout the Boulder-Denver corridor. The area attracts people who are thoughtful, engaged, and passionate about building meaningful lives, families, and communities.

At the same time, our community presents a unique ministry opportunity. Many people in this area are highly educated, spiritually curious, and deeply interested in purpose, relationships, and personal growth, yet many have little connection to a local church or carry skepticism toward organized religion. Ascent seeks to be a church that genuinely loves and serves our city, creating a place where people from all backgrounds can explore faith, encounter Jesus, and experience authentic community. We believe God is at work in our region, and we are excited to participate in what He is doing.

Mission, Vision, and Values

At Ascent, we believe the church exists not simply in a city, but for the good of its city. We love our city and the surrounding communities, and we want to be known as a church that serves, supports, and contributes to the flourishing of the people around us. Rather than approaching our community as a problem to solve, we approach it as neighbors to love. We hope that through our care, generosity, and presence, people experience what Jesus is like: safe, loving, gracious, and life-giving.

We are a congregation made up of people from many different backgrounds, experiences, convictions, and perspectives. What unites us is not agreement on every issue, but a shared commitment to follow Jesus, study the Scriptures, and center our lives on Him. We believe spiritual growth happens in community, and we invite people to remain at the table with one another, even when they disagree, while staying anchored to Christ. Our desire is to present Jesus clearly, help people grow as His disciples, and participate together in bringing His Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven.

Key Responsibilities

Vision & Strategy:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive family ministry strategy (birth–12th grade)
• Direct and oversee Kids Ministry, including curriculum selection, establishing year-long program initiatives, developing parental wellness opportunities, and managing ministry budgets. Walk alongside new parents and serve as a pastoral resource for all families.
• Direct and support Student Ministry, including the school year program plan, mission trips and community service projects, and approving the ministry budget. Pastor families as they navigate raising older children.
• Ensure alignment between Kids Ministry, Student Ministry, and the broader church vision.
• Define clear spiritual growth pathways and key milestone moments.

Parent Discipleship & Engagement:

• Equip parents as the primary spiritual leaders of their children
• Develop and lead:
• Parenting resources
• Classes and events
• Communication rhythms
• Meet with and pastor families in all stages of their parenting
• Create meaningful milestone moments (dedications, transitions, etc.)

Key Qualifications

At least 5 years' experience working with the next generation.

For more information about this role, please contact Phil Christian at View email address on ziprecruiter.com