Job Opportunities

Pastor for Discipleship and Community Life

Religious | Presbyterian Church in America

Forestgate Presbyterian Church
970 North Gate Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
https://forestgate.org

 

Full-Time

Posted: Nov 18, 2025

Application Deadline: May 6, 2026

Description

Pastor for Discipleship and Community Life Job Description

Purpose of FPC

Forestgate Presbyterian Church (FPC) exists to glorify God and make disciples of Christ in northern El Paso County:

  • By Exalting our Lord in joyful Biblical worship
  • By Encouraging each other to love and good deeds
  • By Equipping each other for service
  • By Engaging the culture around us

Position Summary

In general, the Pastor for Discipleship and Community Life (PDCL) is to help the Senior Pastor (SP) and the Session of FPC in shepherding the flock toward accomplishing the church’s stated purpose, with particular responsibilities to oversee Discipleship, Church Growth, Christian Education, Fellowship, and Family/Individual Care. 

The PDCL will work closely with the SP and Session in leading, evaluating, managing, and refining these areas along with other activities as directed by the SP.  In addition, he will work alongside the rest of the staff to complete designated day-to-day activities of the church while participating in long-range planning and program development. 

This Pastoral position is anticipated to be an Assistant Pastor position, however, candidates with appropriate experience and gifting may be considered for an Associate Pastor position.

Expectations

The PDCL must be a passionate Christ-centered leader who is a student of God’s word and a humble servant leader, as well as friendly and gentle towards those both within and outside the church.  He should be compassionate towards the weak and burdened, an attentive listener to all, and a good mentor with a genuine pastoral heart.  His personal actions and relationships must reflect godly character based on Biblical standards, including being trustworthy, approachable, and personable.

In the PDCL’s principal areas of responsibility, he is to work with and alongside existing Ministry Teams, and when deemed necessary, to develop new ministries or programs that engage, encourage, and equip FPC for its work of ministry (Eph 4:12) and its growth in conformity to the image of the Son (Rom 8:29). 

FPC affirms the priesthood of all believers and our need of one another in the body of Christ.   Each member of the body has unique gifts and contributions as well as unique personalities.  As a leader in the church, the PDCL must be able to work well with others and also be able to unite those with different gifts to accomplish common goals.  He must also be able to encourage those who are immature and teach those who are inexperienced so that the whole body might be built up in grace and love.  He must also be able to humbly deal with the ignorant and wayward.

The call to “grow together in Christ,” also defines the heart of the PDCL’s job to inspire unity, encourage fellowship, and nurture spiritual maturity in the flock at FPC.  In all things, the PDCL must demonstrate personal righteousness, faith, hope, and love for Christ and others.

Duties

The primary duties of the PDCL include, but are not limited to: discipleship ministries, community groups, Christian education, visitor and new member assimilation, and visitation of those in need. While these will take up the bulk of his weekly schedule, the PDCL should also devote regular time to prayer and growing in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord.  He is also expected to set aside time to step back from routine daily tasks in order to view the overall ministry of the church and subsequently provide suggestions for the staff and Session to improve and/or expand ministries to meet the evolving needs of the church.  He is encouraged to find individuals in the church with whom he can work as fellow-workers in the gospel.

Discipleship Ministries

The PDCL will work alongside the various Ministry Teams that are focused on discipleship in the church including: Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Community Groups, and Christian Education.  While these teams work through their own volunteers, he will be a crucial part of helping the teams know what the goals of FPC are in these areas and how critical their roles are in fulfilling them.  He will work in conjunction with the Assistant Pastor for Youth and Families, to ensure that similar philosophies of discipleship exist between the youth programs and adult programs.

Church

The PDCL will develop and implement a plan that takes people from being new visitors to FPC all the way through membership and full participation and involvement in church ministries, even to training for possible leadership positions at FPC to include the following:

  1. New Christian/New Member Connection and Integration
  2. Growth in Biblical Wisdom and Understanding, Maturity, and Devotion
  3. Training for Spiritual Leadership

The PDCL will regularly teach God’s word addressing these areas in venues such as Sunday School, community groups, Bible studies, and special meetings.

Preaching & Teaching

Although the SP’s highest priority is the regular weekly preaching of the Word of God, the PDCL is expected to preach at least six times per year as coordinated by the SP.  It is important that the PDCL have additional opportunities to develop and practice his own preaching skills.  The PDCL may preach up to 4 times per year, or once a quarter, as pulpit supply to develop his skills and fill the needs of other churches within the Presbytery, as long as the PDCL is not needed for preaching at FPC.  Filling pulpit supply opportunities will be approved by the SP, and the Session will be notified of such occurrences. 

New Member Class Administration

The PDCL will conduct membership/orientation sessions twice a year (Spring and Fall) that cover a range of topics to assist visitors and potential new members in understanding FPC – what we believe and why we believe it.  The PDCL is responsible for total coordination of all aspects of these sessions including but not limited to scheduling, recruiting teachers, and updating class content prior to the sessions.  After the class sessions, the PDCL will coordinate and schedule new member interviews with Session members, and he will schedule the congregational presentation of the new members after interviews are complete.

Hospital and Hospice Visitation

The PDCL will take the lead in making visits to members and regular attenders who are hospitalized, in extended rehabilitation care, or in hospice.  If he is not available to make a visit, he will ensure that another pastor or ruling elder is notified so that they can make the visit.  The PDCL should notify the SP of all needed visits in case the SP thinks he should make the visit himself.

Management Oversight

The PDCL reports directly to the SP.  The Session, with input from other church leaders, develops the vision for the church and the necessary strategies to carry out that vision.  The SP has primary responsibility for the overall management and leadership of the church on behalf of Session by overseeing and guiding staff and ministry teams to accomplish the vision set for them.  The PDCL is expected to work alongside the SP in these tasks by demonstrating servant leadership and by encouraging a spirit of respect, cooperation, and camaraderie.

Other General Responsibilities 

In addition to the above, the PDCL is to regularly pray for the congregation, staff, and leaders of the church.  Along with ruling elders, the PDCL is to lead worship and congregational prayer during church worship services on a regular basis.  The PDCL shall assist in the Session’s system of shepherding in which all teaching and ruling elders take proportionate responsibility for shepherding all member families or individual members of the church.  Shepherding occurs not just by visitation, but also through small group participation, classroom educational opportunities, and relational discipleship of members.  The PDCL may also be called upon by the Session to assist the SP in providing leadership and training for other elders in how to effectively shepherd.  General church administration is an important skill for the PDCL who will assist the SP with church administration duties as needed.

The PDCL will attend all stated and called Session meetings as well as all scheduled congregational meetings.  In addition, the PDCL will attend Session retreats to assess ministry effectiveness, review vision for the future, and establish annual objectives and priorities.  He must be ready to support and encourage all ministries of the church through prayer, involvement, and advice.

When possible, the PDCL should attend Rocky Mountain Presbytery meetings, and in consultation with the SP, he may serve on Presbytery committees and commissions.  With prior approval of and coordination with the Session and SP, the PDCL may attend General Assembly.  If attending General Assembly, the PDCL may participate on committees and commissions within those courts, time permitting and in consultation with the SP.

Accountability and Review

Since the PDCL’s responsibilities are demanding, it is expected that he will give priority to maintaining his personal walk with Christ, spending quality time with his family, carving out time for a restful Sabbath day every week, seeking personal accountability, and utilizing all vacation days.  The PDCL shall maintain regular accountability with the SP and collaborate with the SP in conducting quarterly and annual reviews of his ministry against this job description.  Although the PDCL reports directly to SP, he is accountable for his own time.  However, he must complete tasks assigned to him in a timely manner or explain to the SP why tasks have not been completed prior to their expected completion date.  It is estimated that his duties will require approximately 50 hours per week. 

Salary Range

$82-88k plus benefits; negotiable based on experience. 

Applicants

Please contact RE Dan Klute, Search Committee Chairman: pastorsearch@forestgate.org


Salary: $60K-$89K

Requirements


Pastor for Discipleship Community Life (PDCL)

Candidate Profile

October 2025

Candidates Shall

  1. Understand the unique role of an Assistant Pastor (AP): 
  2. An AP is not on Session, attends Session meetings, hired by Session, reports to Senior Pastor (SP) (Ordained by and a member of Presbytery). 
  3. Submits to implementing the vision of the Session even if he has lesser role in shaping that vision. 
  4. Most proposals by APs will be reviewed by SP before being presented to Session. (Another committee may review it instead of the SP.). 
  5. APs will invest in learning about church leadership and management during their residency before he prepares to launch a church and moves to a leadership role as the pastor of the new church. 
  6. The role of an Associate Pastor (ASP):
  7. An ASP is on Session, attends Session meetings, hired by Congregation, reports to SP and Session. (Ordained by and a member of Presbytery.) 
  8. Submits to implementing the vision of the Session. 
  9. Most proposals by ASPs will be reviewed by SP before being presented to Session. 
  10. ASPs will learn before he leaves and leads.  If he stays long-term, even better.
  11. Focus on healthy growth that leads to numerical growth.  
  12. See himself a missionary to Colorado’s beautiful-yet-Gospel-needy culture. (for more, see below).
  13. Comfortable ministering to the various subcultures within the church: military, Western-individualism, and more. This implies a willingness to learn the needs of any unique group. 
  14. Be able to support the following practices while pastoring at Forestgate:
  15. Consecutive, expository preaching as the main sermon diet.
  16. A church that prioritizes community and shepherding, where members can have access to a trained leader when they need it.
  17. Two identical worship services (8:30 am, 11:00 am) rather than a contemporary and traditional service to avoid the unintentional effect of creating two congregations, sanctuary-size constraints, the prohibitive cost of sanctuary expansion, and a desire for Christian Education time in-between for all ages.
  18. A desire to keep growing to enable church planting for the sake of the Kingdom.
  19. A desire to plant churches that plant other churches, Lord willing.
  20. Communion is monthly w grape juice only.
  21. Offering plate not usually passed on Sundays.
  22. Apostles Creed, the version used in worship omits the “descended into hell” phrase and uses the word “universal” in place of “catholic”. 
  23. Term Ruling eldership with sabbaticals after six years of consecutive service. 
  24. Conviction that the ordained offices of Elder and Deacon are exclusively for qualified men according to Scripture. 
  25. Worship Services are led by elders and other approved lay leaders. 
  26. Worship Music includes old and new songs with old and new tunes, featuring a small worship team of rotating congregational volunteers organized by our part-time Music Director. 
  27. Primary worship leaders will be male.  Women are encouraged to use their gifts in ministry, including teaching women and children, and a mixed-gender adult group if a male co-teacher is present .
  28. Basic Qualifications: 
  29. M. Div. from a Reformed seminary, however candidates will be considered with appropriate Master’s degree with additional applicable experience. 
  30. Ordained or ordainable in the PCA. 
  31. Alignment with visions and goals of Forestgate.
  32. Preferred Qualifications: 
  33. Some pastoral experience. 
  34. Experience in church revitalization or church planting. 
  35. To apply:
  36. Send the following to pastorsearch@forestgate.org.
  37. Current resume.
  38. Ministerial Data Form (MDF), which should include at least five references and a one-page statement of your personal philosophy of pastoral ministry. 
  39. Two sermons, at least one video and (if possible) One lesson taught in a small group setting.


How to Apply

For additional information please see https://forestgate.org/careers

Primary Contact: Dan Klute

Email: pastorsearch@forestgate.org

Phone: 719-495-5672

Apply Online: View