Layer 1

presents

Executive Director

for

VitalChurch Ministry

San Clemente, CA

vitalchurchministry.org

Our Vision

We envision many more churches, large and small, operating in unity and effectiveness through a movement of the gospel, creating pockets of blessing and changing the spiritual landscape for good.

Our Mission

Our mission is to see churches reconciled and restored to unity, with gifted leadership in place, gospel values embedded, effective governance established, an exciting mission agreed on, and discipleship pathways engaged.

Our Values

  • Christ Centered — We value Christ and the gospel and believe that the gospel changes everything
  • Formation Focused — We value wholistic health and cherish being formed into the image of Christ in all aspects of life - spiritual, emotional, intellectual, relational, and physical
  • Missional Ministry — We value missional ministry which involves a commitment to actively engage our culture with the gospel message
  • Teamwork — We value collaborative teams and teamwork where each team member submits to the counsel of other team members

HISTORY & PURPOSE

OUR HISTORY

VitalChurch started in 1994 inside the international missions agency, CRM, a division of The Navigators. The goal was to help churches who needed revitalization. The approach was led by experienced pastors working with churches in need following four key steps: Renew, Refocus, Restore and Rebirth. Over the initial years those steps evolved into Diagnosis, Surgery and Recovery. From the beginning the organization embraced a strong theological foundation in supporting revitalization.

In 2018 the organization became fully independent from CRM to support expansion and was renamed VitalChurch Ministry.

The ministry model is now centered around answering the following questions led by an experienced pastoral team:

· What are the real problems?

· What are God’s solutions?

· Who are God's leaders in that specific church?

· What are God's plans for that church?

In recent years Vital Church has served over 100 churches across 20 states belonging to a variety of denominations. VitalChurch is a 501c3 nonprofit who is funded by churches served and donor gifts.

OUR PURPOSE

Our ministry flows from a theological understanding of church revitalization and intervention.

We work to bring the church back to a place of intimacy with Christ, while at the same time addressing the systemic issues that keep a congregation from flourishing. We are pastors at heart. We care for and resonate with the church, rather than simply coming in as consultants.

VitalChurch Ministry is not for every congregation that finds itself in a difficult time. A church must be willing to surrender to God’s purposes and make some tough decisions. As such, we only work with church leaders and congregations who are aware of their need for change and are committed to long-term healing, wholeness, and vitality.

OUR TEAM

Tom Wilkens, Executive Director


Tom serves as Executive Director of VitalChurch Ministry. Prior to becoming the Executive Director at VitalChurch Ministry, Tom previously served as a pastor, a medical/counseling clinic director, and a university professor. He earned a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary in Pastoral Ministries and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver. Tom’s passion is to see marriages, teams, churches, and organizations develop and grow well—with a special interest in leadership. Tom has been married to his best friend, Jan, since 1982.

Laurel Schumacher, COO

Laurel leads many of the day-to-day operations for VitalChurch Ministry. Laurel has a background in education and has worked in various roles in the non-profit sector since 2007. She holds two Master’s degrees—one in Education from Adelphi University and one in Literature from Long Island University-Brooklyn. Laurel and her husband, Noah, have been married since 2006 and have two amazing daughters who keep them entertained! Together they strive to teach their children how to live authentic, grace-filled, and Christ-centered lives.



Mike Merwin, CFO

Mike manages the finance side of VitalChurch Ministry. Mike retired from the BIC Corporation after a 33-year career that allowed him to use his skills in business development in both the USA and overseas. He and his wife, Bev, have been married since 1982. They have three adult sons, three beautiful daughters-in-law, and have been blessed with several grandchildren. He enjoys golf, the beach, spending time with family, and watching his favorite soccer team (Arsenal) on TV.

Dave Miles, Director Intentional Interim Pastor Division

Dave Miles is the founder of VitalChurch Ministry. Dave has a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Dave loves the church and enjoys the challenge of working with churches in transition. He has pastored churches in New York, California, Hawaii, Washington, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. He likes to surf, run marathons, play golf, and read books. Dave and his wife, Jan, have been married since June 1980.


Gregg Caruso, Director Diagnostic Division

Gregg earned his M.A. in Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary and served as a “permanent pastor” for 16 years and then 4 years as the Director of Training for a Europe-based missions agency. Since 1998, Gregg has served as an intentional interim pastor in a number of cities across Europe and the Coastal United States. He has also participated in or led 70+ diagnostics. Gregg is a Trustee on the VitalChurch U.K. Team. He enjoys gospel-centered theology, trying to keep up with technology, cycling, paddle boarding, and really good coffee.

Additional VitalChurch Staff & Team Members

Under Dave Miles' leadership in the Intentional Interim Pastor Division, there is a pastoral team of 12 leaders serving local churches all over the country.

Additionally, within the Diagnostic Division that Gregg Caruso leads, there is a a team skilled analysts who manage the church diagnostic process.

Lastly, under the direction of Laurel Schumacher, COO, there is a small, but highly productive administrative, marketing, operations staff.

Board Oversight

The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors for VitalChurch Ministry. Click HERE to learn about the remarkable leaders who faithfully serve on the Board.

WHAT WE DO

WHAT WE DO

We work to bring the church back to a place of intimacy with Christ, while at the same time addressing the systemic issues that keep a congregation from flourishing. We are pastors at heart. We care for and resonate with the church, rather than simply coming in as consultants. We do this through providing the following services: Church Diagnostics, Intentional Interim Pastors, and Leadership Coaching.

Church Diagnostics

Church Assessments that Provide Insight

A church assessment is one of the primary tools we use in the revitalization of churches. Through these analyses, we provide churches with an accurate understanding of the current realities within the church, confirming what is working well and what needs attention. These assessments provide churches with a mirror (reflecting what your people say) and a map (outlining recommendations or ministry objectives for your transition season).

VitalChurch Ministry utilizes comprehensive data from over 100 churches that we have partnered with over the years.

As part of the diagnostic assessment, we also provide church leadership with congregational input they can use to make better-informed decisions and address revealed “blind spots.” Based on the information revealed in the analysis, we provide prayerfully considered recommendations for the church as they move forward. Often, after a church undergoes a diagnostic assessment they will use our pastors to help facilitate the recommendations revealed in the diagnostic.

Intentional Interim Pastors

Serving Churches & Church Revitalization

Change and transition are constant. Sometimes it is planned change and common transition. Other times it is crisis change and complicated transition. How a church navigates the season of leadership transition will significantly impact future ministry and gospel influence.

VitalChurch has a team of pastors called to and trained in the specific ministry of leading churches in times of transition. Our intentional interim pastors facilitate a biblical process of inviting churches into healing, hope, and revitalization. Our pastors love the church and serve as a team. Most interim pastorates conclude by assisting your church’s search committee to engage a process that results in recruiting and retaining a godly, high-caliber new lead pastor.

Intentional Interim Pastors (IIPs) serve for anywhere from 18-24 months to provide care, love and a season of stability during challenging seasons of transition. These IIPs are intentionally and carefully matched by the Executive leadership at VitalChurch through a process that this bathed in prayer, discernment, and understanding the dynamics and culture of the church as a body.

Leadership Coaching

Pastoral Guidance

We recognize that not every church needs an interim pastor, but many could still benefit from the services and expertise offered by the VitalChurch team. For churches with specific needs, we offer the following individualized resources: Church Coaching, Governance and Leadership Style System Upgrades, Focusing Process, and Strategic Planning.

When churches work with one of our intentional interim pastors, they receive more than just a pastor who will preach on Sundays. He will take the church through a process that addresses any areas of weakness and develops a plan for moving forward.

THE OPPORTUNITY

THE OPPORTUNITY

The VitalChurch team serves churches and church denominations that are undergoing transitions in leadership and/or need help in revitalization. The ministry is designed to lead churches into biblical vitality, to equip and train leaders, and to help churches successfully transition pastoral leadership.

VitalChurch helps a church discern its unique strengths to build on and identify its key areas to improve. Our team of experienced pastors facilitates a biblical process of inviting churches into healing, hope, and revitalization.  Our pastors love the church and serve as a team.  We often provide an experienced interim pastor and assist a church’s search committee in recruiting and retaining a godly, high-caliber new lead pastor.

VitalChurch Ministry strives to help churches achieve the following five outcomes:

1.    Gospel values are embedded

2.    Gifted leaders are empowered

3.    Good governance is established

4.    Mission and values are embraced

5.    Discipleship pathway is engaged

VitalChurch believes it is being led to grow the number of churches served and increase the tools we can provide to help churches provide greater impact for God's Kingdom. After many years of dedicated service, the current Executive Director, Tom Wilkens, senses a call to hand the baton to a new leader and move into a transitional supporting role.

VitalChurch seeks a new executive director that will lead the growth of the ministry by bringing additional expertise, fresh perspectives, relationships and vision.

THE NEXT SEASON OF LEADERSHIP

The ideal candidate is/has...

  • High Emotional Intelligence
    • Assesses complex interpersonal dynamics and knows how to come alongside strong leaders
    • Navigates conflict with grace and clarity
    • Culturally adapts and easily fits in across the country
    • Experienced with Founder Transitions
  • Proven track record in Fundraising & Development
    • Fundraising experience with multiple organizations
    • Experience in securing annual gifts of $10K-100K
  • Financially Savvy & Experienced with Budgeting
    • Understands & interprets a balance sheet and financial statements
    • Knows how to prioritize and focus on the right strategies to optimize the resources in place (current) and plan for future
    • Communicates the financial health of VitalChurch Ministry in a clear and easily understood manner
  • Pastoral Leader
    • Served in at least one Senior/Executive Pastoral role
  • Passion for Coaching & Developing leaders
    • Able to assess the leadership potential of the staff; passionate about coming alongside them to coach and develop
  • Cultural & Values Alignment with VitalChurch Ministry
    • At their core, they embody the cultural DNA as described in the values and mission (above) and the cultural alignment (below)
    • See the opportunity at VitalChurch Ministry as a calling rather than the next step in developing their own personal resume or career path

FIRST-YEAR WINS

The Executive director will:

  • Connect: Establish strong relational connections with the VitalChurch team, board, donors, client churches and denominations and ministry partners
  • Lead: Model a spirit led, mission driven leadership role in setting direction, making key decisions, supporting the team and infusing passion for serving churches.
  • Manage Change: Oversee the enhancements to the VitalChurch organization including adding new staff, growing the pastoral team, managing organizational changes and developments (including transition of key leaders to supporting roles), clarifying team roles/goals, implementing additional staff development programs and reviewing compensation structures.
  • Increase Funding: Lead fundraising efforts in partnership with the COO to support the 2024 goal of $250,000.
  • Build External Relationships: Increase awareness of Vital Church’s capabilities with churches, denominations and new potential ministry partners, including development of meaningful trusted external relationships.
  • Deliver Results: Oversee the successful execution of the plans set forth in the annual strategic planning and budgeting processes with a thoughtful sense of urgency.

OUR CULTURE

Culture Alignment

We are intentional about building a healthy, biblical culture and look for key supporting traits in our leaders.

Our leadership...

  • Respects and honors those with whom we work, displays genuine humility and honesty
  • Values teamwork at a high degree across the organization
  • Values holistic health (spiritual, physical, emotional, relational)
  • Love Jesus and His Church
  • Possess servants heart, finding joy in helping others succeed
  • Are lifelong learners
  • Leads and cares for family with biblical wisdom
  • Are not anxious or impulsive
  • Are spiritually and emotionally mature

LOCATION & TRAVEL

VitalChurch Ministry is a virtual organization. The executive staff team is spread primarily across California, Colorado and New York. With a desire to serve churches all across the country, the team operates remotely from where they live and the same will be true of the Executive Director.

The Executive Director will be traveling to participate in church assessments, network with denomination and church network leaders (new and current), fund raising with key donors and churches. It is important that the Executive Director be located near a major airport so that travel can be managed efficiently. It is estimated the Executive Director will travel 30% of the time on an ongoing basis, however travel could be closer to 35-40% in the first couple of years.

POSITION PROFILE

Executive Director

Oversees the administration, ministries, strategic thinking/planning, and day-to-day organizational activities of VitalChurch Ministry while working with the staff and leaders to implement the vision, values, and mission of the ministry. A critical responsibility is to create an environment in which the staff have the opportunity to become who God made them to be, so they can effectively help churches we serve become what God desires them to be, all by the grace of God.

REPORTS TO:  Board of Directors

PROVIDES OVERSIGHT TO: VitalChurch Ministry Staff, which includes 3 direct reports

  • COO
  • CFO/Finance Manager
  • Director, Intentional Interim Pastor Division

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. 1.Model effective leadership in encouraging focus on the mission of serving churches, planning, communicating, setting direction, decision making and timely response to key challenges and opportunities.
  2. 2.Intentionally uphold standards of conduct and values modeled by Christ and biblical requirements for elders/pastoral leaders. Embrace a personal practice of accountability/counsel with others and prayerful self-awareness.
  3. 3.Design, develop, direct and nurture a highly effective leadership team and staff who are passionately aligned with VitalChurch’s mission.
  4. 4.Oversee the team and systems needed to facilitate effective operations and high ministry impact.
  5. 5.Ensure sound and compliant practices and policies in the areas of human resources, financial/tax management, regulatory and contractual requirements.
  6. 6.Be an effective steward of all resources (funds, people, confidentiality, reputation, data, etc.) that have been put under the trust of VitalChurch.
  7. 7.In partnership with COO, meet or exceed annual fund-raising goal of $250,000 (or revised amounts set forth in annual planning/strategy processes).
  8. 8.Become well informed on challenges and changes facing churches and lead efforts that enable VitalChurch to continue to bring relevant solutions to the churches we serve.
  9. 9.In partnership with the leadership team (e.g. IIP Division Director, COO, etc.) actively participate in adding new tools/solutions to help strengthen churches clients, recruiting new church clients, building stronger denominational relationships, and building productive ministry partner relationships.
  10. 10.Collaborate with IIP Division Director to recruit new pastors, help equip pastors to increase effectiveness in serving churches.
  11. 11.Actively work with diagnostic team to increase the diagnostic tool types, improve the value of the tool, turnaround time and affordability. Participate with the diagnostic team in interactions with churches on a periodic basis.
  12. 12.Lead the effort to continually develop and evolve the strategic plan for VitalChurch with input from the team, clients, board and other ministry organizations. Foster the creation of long- and short-term goals with clear execution plans.
  13. 13.Help recruit and empower board members who will provide wise counsel, have relevant experiences, expansive relationships, are Christ followers and will objectively carryout fiduciary responsibilities for the ministry. Actively engage the board for help with approval on strategy/use of resources, key decisions, major challenges and application of their expertise to further the ministry reach and effectiveness. Be accountable and transparent to the board with regard to church engagement performance, changes, plans, status and need for help. Be familiar with and adhere to board policies (governance, approval authority, conflicts of interest, timely disclosures, etc.)
  14. 14.Serve in a pastoral capacity for the VitalChurch team as a minister of the gospel – administration of sacraments, baptisms, marriages, funerals, teaching – consistent with a calling to vocational ministry and what is appropriate for effective ministry with the organization and in churches.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • Previous experience as a pastor 3+ years. Leadership role in a comparable ministry working with churches and/or working as an interim pastor is a plus.
  • Advanced college degree from accredited school preferably in theology, ministry, etc.
  • Personal commitment to Jesus Christ, senses Christ’s calling to play a key role at VitalChurch
  • Successful track record as a leader who sets direction, gets things done, makes wise decisions, overcomes tough challenges, and genuinely seeks to contribute to making a high kingdom impact
  • Demonstrated ability to be a critical thinker and will explore ways to improve the ministry
  • Values continuing self-development, desires to receive wise counsel and feedback
  • Experience working within and with a variety of churches and denominations. Ability to synthesize denominational differences and church network nuances
  • Demonstrated passion and heart for the local church
  • Track record of recruiting, developing, nurturing and sustaining strong teams
  • Success in helping to raise funds in amounts comparable to the needs of VitalChurch
  • Working understanding of all key administrative and operations areas, including HR, finance/tax, reporting, marketing, operations, event hosting, creating industry alliances. Able to provide a level of hands-on leadership when necessary.
  • Demonstrated expertise in financial management and stewardship of a growing organization (budgeting, cost management, reporting, internal controls, financial systems, etc.)
  • Culturally sensitive and adaptive, understands how to effectively introduce change and connect with people impacted by change
  • Values collaboration, trust and respect among all team members
  • Excellent public and interpersonal communication skills

CONTACT

Ready to take the next step?

If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please contact:

Toni McEwan // 317.767.4654 // [email protected]