Minister of Discipleship and Connection

First United Methodist Church of Orlando

Orlando, Florida 32801

Full Time , On-Site

The First United Methodist Church of Orlando—a theologically progressive, service- and justice-oriented, LGBTQ+ affirming, historic downtown congregation—is seeking an energetic, creative, and entrepreneurial ministry professional to serve as our new full-time Minister of Discipleship and Connection.

This individual will be responsible for imagining, developing, and implementing innovative ministry initiatives that deepen engagement with current members, connect meaningfully with visitors, and attract new people into the life of our church.

Position Title:                  Minister of Discipleship and Connection

Ministry Area:                 Ministry

Reports To:                     Lead pastor

Status:                            Full-time, exempt

Summary

Develop new ministry initiatives that will bring people together to seek and love God, love and serve people. Reach out and connect with people new to First Church, hopefully leading to active and committed membership. Encourage adults to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ by praying together, building community in small groups, serving together, and sharing their stories.

Core Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions.

Ministry Leadership:

• Work with the Lead Pastor, ministry staff, and laity to innovate, create, plan, and oversee theologically appropriate opportunities for adults of all ages and abilities.

• Intentionally seek out and connect with people new/newer to First Church.

• Assimilate people into new and existing ministry opportunities where people can use their gifts in service to the church and to the world.

• Coordinate and lead new member classes.

• Lead and facilitate small group discipleship opportunities for adults.

• In collaboration for First Church Orlando’s LGBTQ+ attendees and allies, develop meaningful ministry and programs for the broader LGBTQ+ community.

• Create new ministry opportunities to minister to adults of all ages and across generations.

• Recruit/develop/mentor lay leadership teams to share the leadership of these new ministry initiatives.

• Resource weekly discipleship opportunities for adults as needed (i.e. Sunday School classes, small groups, Bible studies, etc.).

• Adhere to the Children and Youth Policies and Procedures.

• Seek ways to innovate, expand and broaden ministry opportunities beyond Sunday mornings.

• In partnership with the Lead Pastor and First Church leaders, develop actionable steps toward strategically fulfilling our mission and vision; imaging, dreaming, innovating and creating a new First Church for the 21st century.

Collaboration:

• Work with the Lead Pastor, lay leaders, Sunday School leaders, etc. to evaluate adult ministries with input from relevant people.

• Work with the Lead Pastor and staff members to plan ministry opportunities that minister to multi-generations of people.

• Refer able adults willing to serve with children and youth to the Pastors of Children’s and Youth Ministries.

• Attend and participate in staff meetings.

• Attend and participate in worship planning meetings as needed.

• Contribute to an environment conducive to positive interaction with pastors, staff members, lay leadership, church members, and the community.

• Demonstrate healthy and effective teamwork with pastors and staff.

• Assist with other programmatic needs of the church, as needed and/or assigned.

• Provide pastoral support for other church and/or community events, as needed and/or assigned.

Communication:

• Work with the Director of Communications to communicate events for adults at First Church.

• Work with staff and committee leadership to plan church events and ministries.

• Enthusiastically inform the Lead Pastor, staff, members of First Church about ministries happening at First Church.

• Ask for help when needed.

• Promote, communicate, and embody the vision, mission, and core values of First Church.

Preferred Qualifications

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year College or University and two years of related ministerial experience.

• Theological education and ordination preferred.

• Embodies and lives the Christian faith. Deeply committed to personal spiritual growth.

• Passionately desires to share and develop the Christian faith with youth and families.

Computer Skills:

• Working knowledge of internet tools including social media, spreadsheets, and word processing software.

Other:

• Strong commitment to Christian faith and theology of The United Methodist Church. Familiarity with the United Methodist Church structure and Wesleyan theology.

• Must be adaptable, innovative, cooperative, and communicative.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from other staff, lay leadership, children, parents, and the community.

• Ability to solve practical problems and effectively cope with the challenges that may arise from working with a variety of people in a church setting.

• Must be LGBTQ+ affirming.

• Must have a proven track record of developing new ideas, implementation, and successful outcomes.

• Must be creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial.

• Must be able to multitask, organize, and delegate.

• Must be able to work independently and with a team.

• Must pass a background, fingerprint, and reference check.

• Ability to occasionally lift 25 lbs or more.

Organization: First United Methodist Church of Orlando

Contact: Debbie Mitchell

Closing Date: 07/10/2026