About Sunrise Community Church

Sunrise Community Church is a small church with a huge impact in South Austin, TX. Sunrise was historically a part of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, but switched denominations to the Reformed Church in America in 2023 and is part of City Classis, a grouping of urban churches from across the United States. Sunrise shares its campus with two other churches and Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center’s Hub day center. Because the Navigation Center is the largest provider of homeless services in Travis County and the church has a large percentage of people in recovery from drug/alcohol addiction, Sunrise’s worshipping community is one of the most unique possible. Sunrise’s staff structure includes no full-time members, but rather multiple part-time staff people who lead the worshipping congregation on Sundays and then remotely during the week, working mostly from home.

Position Highlights

This position is designed to be 30 hours per week with Sunday mornings being mandatory and most other hours being flexible to the individual’s schedule. Sunrise is open to less hours, if the applicant so desires.

This position description is intended to provide a broad overview of the position. Additional duties may be assigned.

In partnership with the Lead Pastor, who works 20 hours per week, the Associate Pastor will lead in areas that are needed in our community and suited to their giftset. As each candidate will bring different gifts, the responsibilities could change, but currently would include portions of the following responsibilities:

Preaching
The Associate Pastor will be asked to preach every 3 or every 4 weeks, depending on worship leader capacity. Additionally, the Associate Pastor will work collaboratively with the Lead Pastor and elders to design, implement and evaluate sermon series. Preaching at Sunrise is a unique experience, given our congregation. The most important elements of good preaching for the Sunrise community are authenticity, relatability and engaging presence

Sunday Morning Coordination & Leadership
The Associate Pastor will help the Lead Pastor and Servant’s Council ensure Sunday morning worship and the surrounding activities happen smoothly and effectively. That may include opening/closing duties, oversight of volunteers, being a point person for questions and leading announcements/blessing on Sundays when they are not preaching.

Spiritual Programming Oversight
-Empower, equip and coordinate volunteers and leaders for the ministries below
-Children – Sunrise Kids
-Youth (Junior High, Senior High)
-Young Adult Small Groups (college aged singles, young families)
-Adult small groups  (resourcing small group leaders)
-Recovery ministry
-Prayer ministry

Supervision of Staff and Volunteers for service ministries
a. Recruit, train and supervise leaders for hospitality/ cafe/ greeters/ hosts

Pastoral Care 
a. Provide pastoral care to the Congregation as needed including visitations and calls
b. Promotes care-giving and prayer ministry, consistent with the goals of the church.

Congregation/ visitor communications
a. New member / visitor retention and follow-up
b. Monthly Newsletter
c. Coordinate congregational events, including seasonal events & decorations

Note

This position will be supervised by the Lead Pastor, but will work closely with the Elders and attend monthly elder meetings. While a background in Calvinist/Reformed theology is preferred, it is not required. However, submission to the theology and guardrails of the Reformed Church of America will be required during the period of employment. Previous ordination is not required, but a willingness to pursue ordination during the period of employment will be an expectation, either through education or credentialing. Additionally, alignment with Sunrise’s mission, vision and values - particularly our value of being welcoming to all people - will be a requirement.

Website

www.sunriseaustin.org