CHARIS FELLOWSHIP

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 2,500+

Meet Grace Church

Grace Church has seen God’s faithfulness for 85 years! Our story is really God’s story as He’s carried us through every season. He’s enabled us to make Him famous and to love people in our community, Ohio, and the world. Today, Grace Church is one church with two campuses in Wooster and Medina, Ohio, and we look forward with anticipation to future campus expansion as God continues to open new doors for ministry. Browse our videos to get a better picture of how we began and how we’re aiming to continue our devotion to Jesus Christ and His mission. The power of the gospel was evident at the very beginning of Grace Church, as families sacrificed everything they had to start this church. They put everything on the line to further the Kingdom.

About the Next Steps Director

The position of Director of Next Steps requires the employee to perform essential ministerial functions as part of their employment. These include—but are not limited to— leading or participating in staff devotions and prayer, sharing the Gospel with visitors or others when called upon to do so, teaching biblical principles verbally or in writing, and providing pastoral guidance. The employee will be required to live on and off duty in accordance with the ministry’s Statement of Faith, code of conduct, and general beliefs.

PURPOSE OF MINISTRY: The Director of Next Steps provides directional leadership for Spiritual Formation, Grace Groups, Evangelism, Global Missions, Local Outreach, and Follow Up, ensuring these ministries work together to help people move from attending → belonging → growing → living on mission. This role integrates vision, shepherding, and systems to champion a unified discipleship pathway that supports the mission, values, and the strategy of Grace Church.

The Next Steps Director's responsibilities include:

• Champion and build systems to support a unified discipleship pathway for Grace
• Church, helping every person take their next step in spiritual growth from attending → belonging → growing → living on mission.
• Provide overall direction, coaching, and development for Next Steps ministry areas: Spiritual Formation, Grace Groups, Evangelism, Global Missions, Local Outreach, and Follow Up.
• Provide leadership and oversight of Grace Groups (strategy, curriculum, pathway, leader development, and health).
• Oversee Spiritual Formation environments, ensuring content aligns with church doctrine, vision, and adult-learning principles (Electives, Specialty Groups, Starting Point, Start Serving, etc.).
• Lead missions and outreach strategies that mobilize the church to serve locally and globally.
• Equip the church for evangelism through relational, practical, and biblical training.
• Evaluate ministry effectiveness through goals, metrics, and systems that measure spiritual impact and engagement.
• Work cross-departmentally with the Weekend Experience, Teaching, and Communications teams to integrate Next Steps into services and events.
• Develop and maintain volunteer pipelines and leadership multiplication across all Next Steps environments.
• Provide leadership and coaching to staff and volunteer leaders within all supervised ministry areas.
• Carry out any pastoral responsibilities as needed.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Administration

• Oversee guest and Next Steps follow-up systems to ensure timely and effective engagement.
• Maintain clear reporting structures and ministry dashboards to track spiritual engagement and pathway movement.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to ensure clear next-step pathways are communicated online, on campus, and in weekend services.
• Partner with the Operations team in annual budgeting and resource planning for all Next Steps ministry areas.
• Ensure ministry systems and databases are updated, accurate, and utilized effectively.

Spiritual Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a consistent and devoted walk with the Lord.
• Supports the mission, values, vision, and strategy of Grace Church.
• Models emotional and relational health, integrity, humility, and servant leadership.
• Exhibits a shepherd’s heart with a commitment to prayer, discernment, and the spiritual growth of others.

Time Commitment 

• This is a full-time, salaried, benefitted position.

Eternal Significance

• To develop fully devoted followers of Christ by helping every person take their next step in spiritual growth, community, and mission.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Next Steps Director:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Required; Master's Preferred (would be willing to assist)
• 5 - 15 years of experience
• Expected to pursue licensure and ordination within Charis Fellowship

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skilled Communicator (written and verbal)
• Quality Decision-Making
• Outcome-Focused Leader
• Crucial Conversation Skill

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• Key leadership traits identified:
• Emotionally Intelligent Shepherd/Leader
• Relational Connector
• Instills Trust
• Leader of Leaders
• Culture Multiplier
• Theological Clarity

Spiritual, Leadership, and Organizational Qualifications

• Demonstrates a mature and consistent walk with Jesus, marked by humility, teachability, and spiritual discernment.
• Evidences the qualifications for spiritual leadership found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
• Exhibits a shepherd’s heart-compassionate, prayerful, and committed to the spiritual growth of others.
• Prioritizes and cares well for family.
• Proven ability to carry out discipleship pathways and align multiple ministries toward unified outcomes.
• Experienced in leading and developing teams (staff and volunteers) across diverse ministry areas.
• Skilled in cross-departmental coordination, creating unity and alignment between weekend experience, teaching, groups, missions, and care.
• Able to define success, set goals, evaluate ministry effectiveness, and build systems that help people take clear next steps.

Professional Skills

• Strong communication, planning, and relational skills.
• Ability to manage and integrate discipleship pathways and engagement systems.
• Experienced in building volunteer pipelines, developing leaders, and fostering unity across teams.

What it's like to live in Wooster, OH

Living in Wooster, Ohio, offers a refreshing balance of small-town charm and modern opportunity. Often recognized as "America's Best Micropolitan," Wooster is known for its strong sense of community, family-friendly atmosphere, highly rated schools, affordable cost of living, and thriving local economy. Nestled among the rolling hills and farmland of northeast Ohio, residents enjoy a slower pace of life without sacrificing access to quality healthcare, education, and growing amenities.

Downtown Wooster serves as the heart of the community, featuring locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, farmers' markets, and year-round events. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the area's abundance of parks and recreation opportunities, including Wooster Memorial Park's scenic hiking trails, Secrest Arboretum, and numerous community parks. Home to The College of Wooster, Ohio State ATI, and a branch campus of the University of Akron, the city also benefits from a vibrant educational and cultural presence.

What truly sets Wooster apart is its welcoming, value-driven culture. Residents enjoy shorter commutes, meaningful community connections, and a quality of life that allows more time for family, recreation, and personal pursuits. For those seeking a place where opportunity and community go hand in hand, Wooster offers an exceptional place to call home.