The following is a Q&A with Carlton McCarthy, Executive Pastor of Operations:

What are your greatest hopes and dreams for the next couple of years for your church?

Over the next couple of years, our greatest hope is to see our church continue to grow not just in numbers, but in depth of discipleship and spiritual maturity.

At the core of this is our vision: Disciples Church exists to help people become like Jesus; we desire to create a culture where every person is actively growing in their faith and intentionally investing in others. Our goal is that disciple-making would be the heartbeat of our church, multiplying through relationships, leadership, and everyday life.

We also desire to raise up and multiply leaders from within. A key part of our vision is investing in the next generation of pastors, ministry leaders, volunteers, and disciples. As we begin to implement a clear leadership pipeline, our goal is to intentionally identify, develop, and empower emerging leaders.

In addition, we are prayerfully pursuing a vision of becoming a multisite church, reaching and impacting surrounding communities. We believe this will allow us to extend our vision more effectively, bringing the discipleship to new areas while maintaining strong, localized ministry expressions.

Why did you choose to do a residency & what are you hopeful will happen through this process?

We chose to pursue a residency program because we see it as a strategic and intentional way to identify, develop, and invest in future ministry leaders. We are committed to being a disciple of Christ and making disciples of Christ, and we believe a structured residency is one of the most effective ways to live that out at a leadership level.

Through this process, we are hopeful to find and develop talented, called individuals who can be integrated into our leadership pipeline. Our desire is to give them meaningful ministry experience, intentionally shape their character, strengthen their faith, and grow their leadership capacity.

We also see this residency as a key component in fulfilling our broader vision of being a multisite church. As we pursue becoming a multisite church, we will need equipped and trusted leaders who are ready to step into new roles and opportunities.

What is it like to work on staff there?

We are committed to discipling our congregation and also discipling one another as a staff. We believe that who we are becoming is just as important as what we are doing. Spiritual growth and intentional investment in each other are central to our culture.

Our staff environment is highly collaborative. We value open collaboration, shared ownership, and regular team meetings where ideas are welcomed and sharpened together. We pray for one another, support each other through challenges, and celebrate wins as a team.

At the same time, we are committed to developing leaders, with an emphasis on coaching, feedback, and hands-on ministry experience. Each staff member is empowered to take initiative and lead.

The work is purposeful, fast-paced and we genuinely enjoy serving together. We prioritize having fun, building relationships, and creating an environment where people love coming to work.

Does your church’s website state the mission, vision, values and key distinctives of your church? Please paste the link:

https://dc.one/about/

Please describe the current staff structure.

Our church operates with a pastor-led structure, guided by our Lead Pastors, who serve together as a husband-and-wife team providing overall vision, direction, and spiritual leadership.

Under their leadership, we have an Executive Pastor of Operations who oversees the day-to-day functioning of the church. Reporting to the Executive Pastor is a Campus Pastor who is responsible for the execution of ministry and the leadership of our departmental teams.

Our ministry structure includes seven directors who lead the various departments and ministry areas of the church. Each director is responsible for building, developing, and overseeing their respective teams and ensuring alignment with the overall vision and mission of the church.

In addition to our staff structure, we have a strong and essential volunteer leadership system made up of leaders, captains, and team members who carry out the ministry of the church. Our staff is committed to developing and supporting these volunteers, as they are vital to the ministry operations of the church.

We are also supported by elders and trustees who play an important role in providing spiritual oversight and contributing to key financial and governance decisions.

What qualities does it take to “win” on staff at your church?

To “win” on staff at our church is to execute tasks, run excellent event, and most importantly it’s about developing people. We define success primarily through the discipleship and development of our members and volunteers.

A key quality for thriving on our staff is a commitment to making disciples of Christ. We are looking for leaders who prioritize helping people know God, find freedom, grow in their purpose, and make a difference. This means investing relationally, leading intentionally, and creating environments where spiritual growth and life transformation can take place.

Winning looks like raising up volunteer leaders, equipping teams, and empowering others to step into their calling. The strength of our ministry is measured by how well we disciple others.

Who will the resident report to? Will there be a different person acting as coach?

The resident will report directly to our Student Ministry Pastor, who will also serve as their primary coach throughout the residency. This provides consistency in leadership, development, and feedback.

While we are familiar with various personality assessments (Enneagram, DiSC, StrengthsFinder), we do not require or prioritize a specific personality type for this role. We believe that God uses a wide range of personalities in ministry, and effectiveness may not be limited to a particular profile.

The most critical attributes we look for are centered around calling and character. We are seeking individuals who are committed to being a disciple of Christ and making disciples of Christ. A genuine love for God and for people is essential, along with a servant-heart mindset.

Are there particular assessment tools that you prefer when exploring potential staff people?

N/A

Are you affiliated with a particular denomination or tribes/association of churches? If so, what websites could one investigate to gain further understanding?

We are not affiliated with any denomination or association of churches.

What are the key doctrinal and theological issues where alignment is essential?

Alignment with our core doctrinal and theological beliefs is essential for anyone entering our residency program. We will ask all candidates if they are fully aligned with our beliefs, as these form the foundation of our teaching, ministry, and leadership.

At a high level, this includes agreement with belief in one God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ; and salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone.

We also hold a high view of Scripture, believing the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative, and final Word of God for all faith and practice.

Additionally, alignment is important in areas such as the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, the call to Spirit-filled living, and the belief that every believer is empowered for ministry.

We believe in the reality of salvation through Jesus Christ, eternal life, and the importance of practices such as baptism and communion as expressions of faith and discipleship.

What is your average weekend attendance?

Our average weekly attendance is about 1,200 over three services.

In general, what is your church demographic?

Our church reflects a diverse and multiethnic community. Approximately 70% of our congregation is African American, 20% Hispanic, and 10% White and other ethnic backgrounds. We also have a strong international representation, adding to the cultural richness of our church.

In addition, we are diverse in age, with a healthy mix of families, young professionals, and seasoned members. We are especially encouraged by our growing young adult population.

Is there more than one site or venue? If so, please describe.

We currently operate as a single-campus church located in Tinley Park, IL. However, we have a clear vision to become a multisite church to expand our reach and create more opportunities for discipleship in surrounding communities.

Within the next two to three years, we are planning to launch an additional campus in Homewood, IL, which is approximately 15 minutes from our current location. We are excited about the opportunity to establish a strong presence in that community and to extend our mission of making disciples of Christ.

How many conversions has your church had in the past 12 months? (however you define this and whatever you count)

We define a conversion as someone who has accepted Christ and responded to the call to salvation during one of our services or events. Following that decision, our team connects with each individual to provide resources and walk with them as they begin their faith journey. On average, we see between 1 to 3 documented new conversions per week, which reflects a consistent and ongoing impact of over 100 conversions in the past 12 months.

What percentage of people are involved in a small group?

Approximately 50% of our congregation is currently involved in small groups. We are encouraged by this level of engagement, as we believe strongly in the importance of relational discipleship.

At the same time, our goal is to see 100% participation. We are actively working toward this through consistent teaching, leadership development, and creating accessible environments where people can grow in community and be discipled in relationships.

What is your church known for in the community?

Our church is known for strong partnerships within the community, particularly with other not for profit organizations that serve underserved individuals and families navigating hardship and major life challenges. We are committed to being a practical and consistent source of support, care, and hope through serving and financial support.

We are also known for being highly accessible and welcoming. We strive to create an easy invitation into church life, with an open-door approach that makes people feel comfortable and included from the moment they engage with us.

All our events and gatherings are intentionally community-facing, designed to serve, connect, and create opportunities for people to experience authentic relationships and encounter Christ in a welcoming environment.

How much are you planning on financially compensating your resident? Is it set or is it flexible?

We are planning to compensate our resident at $1,500 per month. While this is our starting point, we approach compensation with flexibility and intentional care. We will conduct ongoing evaluations of the resident’s needs alongside general economic considerations.

Our goal is to support the resident, ensuring they have the resources necessary for a smooth transition and sustainable living while they are in the program.

What are the expected work hours and what does a typical workweek look like for this resident?

The expected work schedule for the resident is Sundays from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM and Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Wednesdays are adjusted to accommodate our evening Student Ministry services and activities.

In addition to regular office and ministry responsibilities, residents are expected to participate in quarterly leadership meetings on Saturday mornings, attend one weekday evening service per month, and actively engage in a group as a member of the church community.

A typical workweek includes hands-on ministry experience, leadership development, discipleship opportunities, team collaboration, meetings, event support, and serving alongside staff in the day-to-day life of the church. We want residents to experience both the operational and relational aspects of ministry.

What else would you say to a resident considering joining your team?

To a resident considering joining our team, we would say that this is more than just a ministry position it is an opportunity to grow spiritually, relationally, and as a leader in a healthy and mission-driven church environment.

At our church, you will be challenged to deepen your relationship with God, develop as a disciple of Christ, and learn how to effectively make disciples. You will receive hands-on experience, intentional coaching, leadership development, and opportunities to lead while being supported by a collaborative and relational staff culture.

We are passionate about raising up leaders, not just filling roles. Our desire is to invest in you personally and spiritually while helping you discover and strengthen your gifts and calling. You will be part of a church that values discipleship, teamwork, prayer, serving, and relationships.

As we continue building our leadership pipeline and preparing for future multisite expansion, we are excited about developing leaders who will make a lasting kingdom impact both inside and outside of our church.

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Disciples Church