Upper School Pastor (NextGen) – Mount Zion Baptist Church, Nashville

Role Summary

The Upper School Pastor serves within the NextGen Ministry, providing pastoral leadership and spiritual oversight for middle school and high school students.

This role is responsible for the shepherding, discipleship, and spiritual formation of students while also providing leadership and direction for the Upper School Ministry as a whole.

Through intentional pastoral care, strategic leadership, and ministry oversight, the Upper School Pastor helps grow believers who love God and His Church and raise disciples who are equipped to change the world. This role carries both pastoral responsibility and managerial oversight, ensuring ministry environments are healthy, sustainable, and aligned with the mission and vision of the church.

Key Responsibilities

Spiritual Leadership & Pastoral Care

Provide consistent pastoral care, discipleship, and spiritual guidance for middle and high school students.
Teach and lead biblically grounded messages that foster love for God and commitment to His Church.
Shepherd students through key seasons, transitions, and spiritual milestones.
Create safe, relational environments where students are known, valued, and spiritually formed.
Partner with parents and guardians to support discipleship and faith formation at home.
Regular visits to middle and high school campuses to support students and deepen relational connections.

Clear pathways for students from school campuses to Mount Zion through services, small groups, events, mentoring, and outreach opportunities.

Vision, Strategy & Ministry Development

Implement the NextGen vision within Upper School Ministry by developing disciples who are rooted in faith and bold in mission.
Develop and execute strategic ministry plans focused on growth, development, and retention of upper school students.
Design and oversee discipleship pathways that guide students from middle school through high school graduation.
Cultivate ministry environments that inspire students to live out their faith and engage the world with courage and compassion.
Evaluate ministry effectiveness through participation trends, feedback, and pastoral insight, adjusting strategies as needed.
Other duties as assigned

Leadership, Team Development & Oversight

Recruit, train, equip, and pastorally support volunteer leaders who model love for God and His Church.
Provide clarity, care, and accountability for volunteer teams.
Foster a culture of discipleship, spiritual maturity, and leadership development.
Identify and develop student leaders, encouraging ownership of faith and bold engagement in ministry and mission.

Program & Operational Oversight

Oversee the planning and execution of weekly gatherings, small groups, events, retreats, and camps.
Ensure all programming aligns with NextGen values and supports spiritual formation.
Manage ministry calendars, schedules, and budgets in coordination with NextGen leadership.
Establish healthy systems and rhythms that support sustainable ministry and staff well-being.

Qualifications

A vibrant, growing relationship with Jesus Christ, marked by spiritual maturity, integrity, and a pastoral heart.

Bachelor's degree in ministry, theology, biblical studies, or a related field
3–5 years of experience in pastoral ministry with adolescents.
Demonstrated experience leading ministry teams or programs.
Strong biblical teaching and communication skills for middle and high school students.
Experience recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers or staff.
Alignment with the church's mission, vision, values, and doctrinal beliefs.
Availability for evenings, weekends, and ministry events.

Core Competencies

Pastoral Care & Spiritual Formation

Shepherding mindset focused on relational discipleship.
Ability to provide biblical guidance, prayer, and spiritual counsel.
Discernment in adolescent spiritual and emotional development.
Commitment to forming disciples who love God and His Church.

Leadership & Ministry Oversight

Ability to lead with compassion, clarity, and accountability.
Strong organizational and pastoral leadership skills.
Capacity to steward people, time, and resources well.
Ability to create healthy ministry rhythms and sustainable systems.

Strategic & Managerial Competencies

Experience developing and executing ministry strategies.
Ability to set goals, measure progress, and evaluate outcomes.
Comfort managing budgets, schedules, and operational details.
Adaptive leadership in a changing cultural and generational landscape.

Relational & Communication Competencies

Strong relational intelligence with students, families, volunteers, and staff.
Clear, compassionate communicator.
Collaborative team member within NextGen and church-wide leadership.
Ability to navigate challenges and care needs with wisdom and grace.