Snapshot

Denomination: Non-Denominational

Weekly Attendance:  1300

Location: Dallas, TX

The Role: Executive Minister 

Meet The Branch Church:

In 1905, a small group of disciples of Jesus started meeting in the public school building in the agricultural community of Farmers Branch. They were dedicated to being like the early church described in the New Testament and built their first meeting house by hand in 1909. They referred to themselves as the Farmers Branch Church of Christ. (For more on the story of our evolution to The Branch Church, you can listen to the final sermon in our church history series “The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly” here).

Although the congregation became small during the Depression, they never closed the doors and continued to meet. During World War II, the Farmers Branch community began to grow, as did the church.  By 1956, the church had constructed a new building at the same location. The building was expanded and remodeled in 1965, 1969, and 1984 bringing more space for ministry and more resources. What is known today, far and wide, as Metrocrest Services began in our food pantry in the 1960's. 

By the early 1980s, the Farmers Branch community had transformed from a rural community to a busy, commercial suburb. The church’s leaders discerned God calling the church to a new season of spiritual growth and change. Prayer became central in the discernment process as the church sought God for wisdom when it came to how to share the message of Jesus Christ with Farmers Branch, surrounding communities and new generations of people.  For The Branch, the last quarter of the 20th century was an era of transition from a small, rural church with a more legalistic tradition to a more accepting, grace-oriented church.

In January 1986, the church of 300 people rallied in response to God’s call—not only to give sacrificially to funds for the new building, but also to pray for the community. By January 1988, the church had hired Eddy Ketchersid. Eddy and his wife Verlen came from Houston after a fruitful 30 year ministry there. They embodied the grace and acceptance of lives fully devoted to Christ, and they modeled these values for the church.  In August 1988, the church opened the doors to its new building at 3035 Valley View Lane.

The new location symbolized major shifts in the attitudes and aspirations of our church. At that time, we adopted the motto, “We accept you where you are and challenge you to grow in Christ,” expressing the essence of what church leaders saw in the life of Jesus. They wanted to follow His example and create a place where everyone felt welcomed as they were and could encounter Jesus. This brought about even more changes such as new children and youth ministries.

In December 2000, Bro. Eddy graciously passed the torch to Chris Seidman, who accepted the call to move here with his wife, Tara. In the 100th year of our church’s existence, 2005, our leadership discerned it was time to embrace a “multi-site” approach as we went about our mission.

This was an aggressive strategy, born of prayer and motivated by a deep desire to help thousands come to be disciples of Jesus Christ. The vision has been confirmed many times since then, culminating with the purchase of the Vista Ridge property in May of 2007. On September 9, 2007, we began simultaneous services at both Farmers Branch and Vista Ridge.

In the years following the launch of the Vista Ridge campus, we learned how to be one church in multiple locations. Each campus blossomed into a vibrant community of faith, with a unique personality and role in its surrounding area. At the end of 2013, we completely retired the debt associated with the Vista Ridge property and became debt-free as a church.

In the fall of 2020, we completed construction of a new Branch Kids wing and other renovations at the Vista Ridge campus. By the grace of God, we remain debt free. Our great desire is to continue to be a church in which people can know and experience Jesus, engage in life-giving relationships, and grow together to live out the mission of Jesus in the world around us.

About the Executive Minister:

The Executive Pastor’s role exists to partner with the Governance Board and Teaching Pastor in setting the mission and vision for The Branch Church, and to lead Ministry Staff in the alignment and execution of all ministry activities around the achievement of our short and long-term goals.

The Executive Minister's Responsibilities Include: 

• Partnering with the Governance Board and Teaching Pastor in setting the mission and vision for The Branch Church

• Executing the vision and mission of The Branch; Aligning and leading Ministry Staff in executing all ministry activities around the achievement of our short and long-term goals.

• Leading, coaching and overseeing entire staff, other than the Teaching Pastor. Create systems and processes that promote spiritual health, professional accountability, and career growth for the entire staff.

• Maintaining a healthy relationship with the Teaching Pastor to establish trust and create vision for the church and staff.

• Working closely with the Campus Ministers to align campus activities – both system and contextual – to our mission and vision.

• Oversight of all organizational functions, including budgeting and finances, communication, human resources, IT, and facilities, as well as building processes and teams, both staff and volunteer.

• Remaining a happily committed member of The Branch by actively attending weekly services, engaging in discipleship ministries, and endorsing and supporting the Core Beliefs, engaging in the Core Practices and evidencing the Core Virtues.

• Ownership of nurturing a healthy, vibrant culture within the staff, and stewardship of a healthy, vibrant culture within the congregation

• Strengthening and maximizing the impact of our partnerships with missionaries, charitable organizations and other congregations

What You Bring: 

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the *Position*:

Education & Experience

• 8+ years of ministry experience.  Similar role preferred

• Multi-site experience a big plus

• Under-grad degree required

• Seminary degree a bonus

Personal Characteristics & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required. A Master’s degree in related field is preferred.

• Minimum of three years in executive level leadership -- including strategic organizational oversight, ministry execution, and leader development -- is preferred.

• Experience delivering strategic and executional success leading ministries in a multi-campus system, or in a complex business or non-profit environment.

• Demonstrated success in equipping, and empowering staff to execute strategies aligned to ministry vision.

• Ability to build partnerships, influence effectively, and build consensus among varied teams.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

What it's Like to Live in Dallas, TX: 

Living in Dallas, TX, offers a dynamic blend of urban sophistication and Southern hospitality. The city boasts a thriving arts scene, diverse culinary options, and a robust economy fueled by industries like technology, finance, and healthcare. Residents enjoy a variety of recreational activities, from exploring expansive parks and trails to cheering on professional sports teams.  With its warm climate, vibrant neighborhoods, and a rich cultural heritage, Dallas offers a high quality of life, making it an appealing place to call home.

Think you're a great fit for this role? Become a candidate below.