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LEAD / TEACHING PASTOR

ABOUT THIS ROLE

We’re praying for a pastor who loves God’s Word and communicates it with clarity, conviction, and authenticity. Preaching here needs to be both biblically faithful and practically helpful—anchored in solid theology but connected to real life. We value a mix of expository series through Scripture and topical teaching that speaks into cultural and personal issues. Above all, the pulpit should always point people to Christ and invite them into transformation by the gospel.

We’re looking for a leader who equips others rather than carries the weight alone. The Gathering has a strong staff and a culture of committed volunteers, and we want a pastor who knows how to empower, coach, and align people around the mission. Clear communication, a collaborative spirit, and a grace-filled approach to leadership are key. We believe healthy teams lead to a healthy church, and this pastor will model that by creating an environment where people grow in both character and calling.

When it comes to vision, this isn’t a place for lone rangers.

We want a pastor who listens before he leads—who gathers wisdom from staff, elders, and the congregation, seeks God’s direction in prayer, and then communicates with clarity. The Gathering is a church that values both momentum and stability, so our next pastor should be someone who can navigate challenges with wisdom, keep Jesus at the center, and call the church forward into the mission God has given us.

ABOUT THE GATHERING

The Gathering is a Christ-centered, non-denominational church in Centerville, Ohio. Our mission is simple: connect more people to Jesus. We’re a comfortable, inviting community where people can come as they are, build meaningful relationships, and take their next steps in faith.

Beliefs & Values

At The Gathering, we are anchored in the authority of God’s Word and the central message of the gospel. Our church includes people from a wide variety of backgrounds, while holding firmly to historic Christian orthodoxy.

We value grace, authenticity, and connection—and we emphasize five core beliefs around which we unite:

God loves the world.
We trust the Bible.
Nobody is perfect.
Only Jesus saves us.
We love everyone.

Worship & Ministry Life

Our Sunday gatherings are the heartbeat of The Gathering. We currently hold two worship services each week, with a combined average attendance of about 850. Each service lasts about an hour and features modern worship and biblical teaching with real-life application. We offer “Gathering Kids” programming for newborns through 5th grade and student ministry for 6th–12th grade.

Our primary discipleship vehicle is small groups, where people build relationships, grow in faith, and live on mission together.

We also partner with several local missions to demonstrate Jesus’ love throughout the greater Dayton area.

History

The Gathering is a 20-year-old church with a strong track record and only two lead pastors in its history. From the start, we’ve been fueled by a passion to extend and celebrate God’s grace and a steadfast commitment to Scripture. After beginning as a mobile church, The Gathering put down roots on Yankee Street in 2012—now a recently expanded and updated facility that reflects the growth and energy of our church family.

Since 2012, The Gathering has been led by Pastor David Rudd, who has provided steady leadership and guided the church through significant seasons of growth and change. He has helped build a healthy staff team, strengthen church systems, and maintain a clear focus on the mission of connecting more people to Jesus. Pastor David is now transitioning out of his role in order to relocate closer to family, leaving behind a strong foundation for the next pastor to build upon.

Since 2020, The Gathering has experienced a season of rapid yet steady growth, with worship attendance more than doubling in just a few years. This growth has been marked by stability—rooted in consistent leadership, a strong staff team, and a clear mission—which has allowed The Gathering to welcome an influx of young families, students, and new believers while preserving the church’s multi-generational character and relational culture. In the past two years alone, we’ve celebrated nearly 100 baptisms each year, reflecting the spiritual momentum and life change happening within our church family.

Leadership

The Gathering is staff-led and board-protected. Our team of 17 full- and part-time staff works collaboratively to lead ministry, empower volunteers, and shepherd the congregation. The lead pastor provides weekly preaching, aligns the church to its vision, and oversees the staff team.

Culture & Community

We are a multi-generational church of over 1,000 people—large enough for vibrant ministry, yet still marked by the relational warmth of a smaller church. Our church family is diverse—generationally, economically, politically, and ethnically. Visitors often remark on the sense of connection that fills our building on Sunday mornings.

The Gathering is located in Centerville, Ohio, a growing suburb just south of Dayton. Our community is known for strong schools, thriving family life, and a mix of young professionals and long-term residents. We have a unique opportunity to serve both those with deep church roots and those who are new to faith or returning after time away. Our location is centrally positioned within five miles of several large school districts (Centerville, Springboro, Miamisburg, and Kettering), and our congregation draws people from a wide range of surrounding cities.

Facilities

We gather in a recently expanded and renovated building featuring a modern worship center and updated kids and youth spaces. The Lobby is the heart of our community—where connection happens most.

Opportunity for the Next Pastor

The next lead pastor will step into a healthy, eager, and rapidly growing church ready for its next chapter. This role offers the opportunity to preach God’s Word, cast vision, build leaders, deepen discipleship, and engage a community that includes long-time believers, seekers, and those finding their way back to faith.

The Gathering is a unique church with a focused staff team, a clear mission, a strong foundation, and a bright future.

We trust that God is preparing the right leader to guide us forward as we continue connecting more people to Jesus.

The Gathering is a unique church with a focused staff team, a clear mission, a strong foundation, and a bright future.

We trust that God is preparing the right leader to guide us forward as we continue connecting more people to Jesus.

YOU'LL SUCCEED IN THIS ROLE...

If you love opening God’s Word and helping people see both the depth of the gospel and the practical steps of discipleship, you’ll feel right at home here. The Gathering is hungry for solid teaching that connects biblical truth to everyday life.

People want to be challenged, but they also want to know what it looks like to live out their faith on Monday morning.

If you’re passionate about building healthy teams, this will energize you. We have a capable staff, committed volunteers, and a church family eager to serve. You won’t be asked to carry the whole load by yourself. Instead, you’ll have the joy of equipping, aligning, and empowering others to use their gifts for the kingdom.

If you’re wired to lead with both humility and vision, this is the kind of environment where you’ll thrive. The Gathering values collaboration and prayerful discernment, but also needs someone who can bring clarity, courage, and conviction as we take next steps together. You’ll get to shape the future of a growing, grace-driven church that wants to make a lasting impact in our city and beyond.

To apply for this position, email your resumé and preaching samples to bekah@thegatheringdayton.com