Church Planting Resident

City on a Hill began with a small team and a big vision to make a difference in our world for the glory of God. Since our inception in Melbourne in 2007, we have witnessed a special work of God’s grace as he has united hundreds of men and women around the mission of ‘knowing Jesus and making Jesus known’. City on a Hill now meets across nine locations in five cities.

While our story is characterised by constant change and growth, we have maintained an enduring commitment to Christ and his call on our lives in this generation. We are committed to raising up gospel hearted leaders, to build healthy churches, which will reach and serve cities with the gospel of Jesus. Specifically, we have a vision to reach 10 cities, by planting 50 churches, to keep engaging our world with the beauty, truth and relevance of Jesus.

Our Church Planting Residency is our primary pathway for raising up new church planters. A Church Planting Resident will be someone seriously considering the call to plant a City on a Hill church. They must be committed to the gospel and to our mission of knowing Jesus and making Jesus known. Inspired by the great commission, a Church Planting Resident will be both trained and tested over a 12-24 month program that equips them to plant a City on a Hill church.

This program includes a staffed position at one of the City on a Hill local churches, allowing the Resident to learn the culture and values of City on a Hill from the inside. While overseeing a particular portfolio at a local church, they will also engage in church planting specific training geared toward empowering them to be a Lead Pastor of a future City on a Hill church.

The hope is that our residents plant a new City on a Hill church at the conclusion of the residency. On occasion, the residency may reveal that a different leadership opportunity is better suited for them.

The Church Planting Resident will report to their local Lead Pastor while being supported by the Church Planting Pastor. They will work collaboratively with their local church staff team, and as part of the Movement staff team. The Church Planting Resident is a paid role, with full-time or part-time opportunities available for consideration.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide leadership to particular ministry portfolio(s) within the context of the respective local City on a Hill church.
2. Preach, teach and lead services as a means of both discerning and developing communication gifts for church planting.
3. Promote spiritual growth and maturity by genuinely pastoring an existing local church, as a means of developing ministry philosophy for future planting.
4. Provide leadership and development of staff (depending on context) and volunteers to ensure the health, vitality and gospel effectiveness of a future City on a Hill church plant.
5. Participate in church planting training, including short trips to other City on a Hill contexts for learning and experience.
6. Active contribution to the wider City on a Hill Movement.

KEY SKILLS AND GIFTING

• A demonstrated love for Jesus and his people.
• Willingness to commit to the vision and mission of the church as a member of City on a Hill.
• Fulfil the character qualifications outlined for elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
• Demonstrate a life that exemplifies a desire to know Jesus, shown through a growing relationship with Christ in prayer, devotion to the Word, worship and discipleship.
• Commitment to the centrality of the gospel in doctrine, life and ministry, and possess a clear understanding of sound doctrine.
• Demonstrated ability to cast vision, recruit, assess and deploy leaders and ‘equip the saints for the work of ministry’.
• A heart to make Jesus known shown through a deep love for the lost and a bold witness to share the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection to a perishing world.
• Called to be a church planter and possessing the necessary spiritual gifts.
• Competency in teaching and preaching.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate, manage time and self-direct to manage duties and responsibilities.
• A ‘gospel confidence’ that boldly trust in God’s saving power while seeking to innovate in order to mature existing people and reach new people through ministry.
• Completed theological training at an evangelical theological college (or in progress).
• Able to maintain trust and confidentiality when handling sensitive information.

CHARACTER

All City on a Hill staff must hold a current Working with Child Check in their respective state, complete a National Police History Check that returns no disclosed outcomes that would exclude them from the role, and uphold the standards outlined in the City on a Hill Code of Conduct.

To find out more about our church planting residency, discuss your suitability and to apply, please email planting@cityonahill.com.au