Waters Edge Church
Waters Edge Church is a multi-site church of over 1000 in the hampton roads area. There are opportunities in the following areas: Kids Ministry, and Guest Experience.
Expected Work Hours:
28 hours/week for Kids, Outreach, or Guest Experience
Expected Monthly Pay:
$1,000 per month for Kids, or Guest Experience
What are your greatest hopes and dreams for the next couple of years for your church?
We are looking to expand our influence even further, restructuring to accommodate the number of growing campuses, and grow the kingdom by reaching those far from Christ.
Why did you choose to do a residency & what are you hopeful will happen through this process?
We are using residency as a pipeline to develop the next generation of young ministry leaders within our church.
What is it like to work on staff there?
We work hard, and we play hard. We often say we are going to work as if it depends on us, and pray as if it depends on God. We value excellence - the details matter to God, so they matter to us as well. We also value fun - it’s not just what we do, it’s who we are. We are very much a family, and ministry is our lifestyle. This is not just a job.
Does your church’s website state the mission, vision, values and key distinctives of your church? Please paste the link: watersedgechurch.net/about
Please describe the current staff structure.
Our staff structure is led by our Lead Pastor, Stu Hodges, who oversees a team of Executive Directors. Executive Directors manage Campus Pastors and Ministry Directors, who in turn oversee our Managers. Campus Pastors are also responsible for our Pastoral Care Coordinators.
The Executive Team sets the overall strategy for the organization, while Ministry Directors focus on strategy and development within their specific areas. Managers handle the growth and development of volunteer teams and manage operational details. Campus Pastors focus on the unique needs of their campuses, including the care of our attendees and members.
What qualities does it take to “win” on staff at your church?
Trust, resilience and driving vision and purpose are three core competencies we expect from every team member. Our most successful employees, communicate effectively, work hard, and ask questions. They are owners of their actions and decisions. They have teachable hearts.
Who will the resident report to? Will there be a different person acting as coach?
The resident will report to the director of their ministry. We have a variety of personalities on staff right now, particularly at the manager level. We really value the temperaments because they help us to practically communicate effectively with a variety of people.
Are there particular assessment tools that you prefer when exploring potential staff people?
We value Temperaments, Enneagram, Meyers Briggs, and Core Competencies.
Are you affiliated with a particular denomination or association of churches? If so, what websites could one investigate to gain further understanding?
We are affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBCVA), but mirror a non denominational church: sbc.net
We are also an ARC church: arcchurches.com
What are the key doctrinal and theological issues where alignment is essential? We believe that there is one God that created the universe and everything in it. We believe that Jesus is His son and that He is the only way to get to God. We believe that every word of the Bible is His word and that it is true. We believe that if you ask God to forgive you and that you have a relationship with Him, you go to Heaven - not because you can do anything to deserve it, but because Jesus died on the cross to make you right with God. We are a church for outsiders - for those far from Jesus.
What is your average weekend attendance?
Our average in-person (on-site) attendance is 1,632, which includes our God Behind Bars Campus. When we include our online campus attendance, which averages 9,025, our total weekly attendance is 10,657. (2024)
In general, what is your church demographic?
Our church serves a diverse membership of approximately 24,000 members, primarily from the Hampton Roads Area of Virginia. We welcome people of all ages, with a strong presence of young families, professionals, and seniors. The community is culturally and ethnically varied, reflecting the rich diversity of our area.
Is there one location or is the church multi-site?
We are one church in multiple locations. We currently have 2 in-person campuses, each with their own Campus Pastor and worship team. We believe in the power of video teaching, and our satellite campus at Newport News and our Online Campus receive a broadcast message from our Yorktown Campus, where our Lead Pastor preaches live. In addition, we also have a God Behind Bars campus (Indian Creek Correctional Center), led by our Outreach Director.
How many conversions has your church had in the past 12 months? (however you define this and whatever you count)
247 people have let us know that they are committing their life to Jesus by filling out a form and screwing a light bulb into our “CHANGED” wall (www.watersedgechurch.net/changed). In addition, 247 people have been baptized so far in 2024.
What percentage of people are involved in a small group?
54%. We highly value Groups as a church. It’s one of our 6 core values. Regular participation in Groups are mandatory for staff.
What is your church known for in the community?
When Waters Edge Church shows up to do something, we show up big and we get it done. We are generous. We have a yearly Care Week where we go into the community to provide support - whether it’s packing meals or painting a school. We also regularly donate to several strategic partnerships within our local community, and across the world.
How much are you planning on financially compensating your resident? Is it set or is it flexible?
We have planned to spend $1,000/month for our resident’s first year, with a pay increase in year two.
What are the expected work hours and what does a typical workweek look like for this resident?
This will depend on the ministry, but it’s likely the resident will have flexibility to choose their own set schedule within given parameters. Sundays will be mandatory, as will certain meetings and events.
