Shepherd Staff is honored to be working with Fusion Church Madison - Mansfield, OH as they search for their next Associate Pastor (Succession). Fusion Church Madison is a young, non-denominational congregation planted in 2021 as part of the Fusion Ministries network, which emphasizes planting autonomous but connected churches across central Ohio. Led by Pastor Aaron Rose, the church is experiencing rapid growth, an indication of the hunger in their community for biblically grounded teaching and fellowship. The congregation is relational and Spirit-led, focused not just on inward growth but on launching new churches and engaging Mansfield through service.. 

The Associate Pastor (Succession) role at Fusion Church Madison is designed for a relational leader who will share in the preaching, shepherding, and development of discipleship pathways while preparing to eventually step into the Lead Pastor role. Along with cultivating a greater culture of discipleship, this person will be responsible for pastoral care, support to the church’s ministries, and preaching from the pulpit. 

Ideal Candidate:

• Relational Shepherd: Warm, personable pastor who is accessible and down-to-earth. They need to be capable of building teams, developing others, delegating tasks, and shepherding the life of the congregation. 
• “Sending” Model Alignment: Aligns with the “sending” model that is at the core of Fusion Ministries. Mutually holds an interior and exterior growth mindset, identifying ways to “send out” the influence of Christ to their community through service engagement and the planting of new churches as numeric growth takes place. 
• Builder of Discipleship Pathways: Demonstrated ability to create avenues by which congregants can connect, fellowship, and sharpen one another by the power of the Spirit. Familiar with the model of groups, whether demographic specific or open to a broad audience. 
• Provides a Formative Biblical Worldview: Teaches how the Scriptures provide believers with a framework to interpret every subject of life (business, arts, race, sexuality). Engages these topics from the pulpit by putting God’s Word as the sole authority above any voice of the world. 
• Spiritual Perceptive and Discerning: Prayerfully engages with others, seeking to gauge the spiritual health of people and situations. Leads shrewdly with grace and love. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Associate Pastor (Succession) position at Fusion Church Madison – Mansfield, OH, offers the chance to step into a pivotal role within a vibrant and growing congregation. Launched in 2021, Fusion Madison has quickly established itself as a place of spiritual vitality and community connection, drawing over 300 people each week with strong participation from children and youth. The church is known for its relational culture, practical discipleship, and commitment to serving the city with authenticity and hope.

This position calls for a leader who can preach with clarity, provide hands-on pastoral care, and create meaningful pathways for discipleship. Working closely with Pastor Aaron Rose and a supportive staff team, the Associate Pastor will also be prepared to take on greater leadership responsibilities in the future. It’s a unique opportunity to join a church that blends grassroots warmth with a forward-looking vision to make an impact in Mansfield and beyond.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preaching Sunday mornings once per month (at first)
• Pastoral care, which would include follow-up with guests, tracking with those who have been absent three weeks or more, and visitation for those who have been sick or hospitalized.
• The development of discipleship opportunities, which would include:
• Recruiting, training, and scheduling discipleship classes on Sunday mornings
• Helping create and launch life/home groups
• Working with men's and women’s leaders to create service opportunities
• Attend staff and elder meetings.
• Help facilitate a greater online presence.
• Work directly with the Pastor to begin assuming Lead Pastor responsibilities to assume Lead Pastor position.
• Training, leading, and equipping current staff