I've been with North Rock Hill Church for almost a year and a half. In that time we've seen a lot of transition pretty much in any and every area of our organization. My job is no different.
I came on staff as the Worship and Family Pastor. It was always the plan that I would eventually let go of the Worship Pastor responsibilities and focus on our Family Ministry teams. Of course that raises a question…"what is a Family Pastor and what does one do?"
An honest question considering that this kind of specialized position is rather new. To put it simply, I oversee ministries that specifically work with children and students. Sounds like a Minister of Children and Youth right? Yep, except that it's considerably more than just that.
You see at North Rock Hill Church we adopted a philosophy of ministry called Orange. This philosophy is purely methodological. In doctrine and theology we strive to be as Gospel centered as possible leaning toward a more Southern Baptist/Reformed alignment. Orange has to do with the way we carry out the Great Commision.
I do oversee SafariLand (Preschool), KidsCamp (Elementary) and Student Ministry. More acurately, I do whatever I can to support and encourage the incredible people that put these great environments together. What is a little different in my job though is that I also oversee the College and Married ministries. We're working hard to support the already ongoing ministry happening through the local college campus ministries. We have also launched our Married Life Ministry and are pushing forward to provide training and encouragement to married couples here in Rock Hill. We believe the first step to a great children or student ministry is a great marriage ministry.
So that's what I do. A lot of meetings, email writing, hand shaking, coffee drinking, dreaming, encouraging, apologizing, visioncasting, supporting and whatever the people on my teams need me to do. I am being challenged and streched more so than ever before. I'm in over my head, unqualified and will probably make more mistakes than success stories. In the end, I believe that there will be generations of believers who are stronger, more wise and more committed to Christ because of the work we do week after week. I wouldn't have it any other way.
For more on "Orange" check out the video below.
Orange Strategy from Orange on Vimeo.