Jonathan Thomas
Knoxville,TN
Summary
Professional leader with strong foundation in guiding and supporting communities. Proven ability to inspire and motivate teams, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Skilled in conflict resolution, preaching, and strategic planning from 25+ years of ministry and growth with Christian communities of all ages. Holds a bachelor's degree in Bible and a committed desire to continue spiritual growth, biblical education and embodying Christian values. Known for integrity, adaptability and commitment to achieving meaningful outcomes.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Connections Minister
Laurel Church of Christ
03.2021 - Current
- Maintaining my relationship with God through daily spiritual disciplines
- Prioritizing time with my wife and children to ensure strong family relationships
- Equipping and organizing volunteers to minister to our church family and neighbors
- Fostering a welcoming atmosphere within the church, leading to an impactful experience for members, returning guests and first-time guests; increasing likelihood of guest connection at Laurel, including greeter training, an improved coffee bar, clearer wayfinding signage and encouraging a spirit of friendliness
- Teaching various Bible classes - both textual and topical
- Preparing and delivering engaging sermons as frequently as requested
- Continually seeking new understanding of truth and depth of ministry through engagement of materials (books, podcasts, conferences, et al.) from well-respected theologians, spiritual gurus and forward-thinking leaders in the world-wide Christian community
- Placing new members with care elder and assisting with church connection through small groups, relationships and involvement in ministries
- Taking part in hospital visits, funerals, Biblical counsel, praying over others, and other pastoral care
- Designing new member 'next steps' class and meeting with prospective new members
- Seeing benevolence care through to completion with the benevolence team
- Frequently leading staff meetings
- Beginning and maintaining outreach initiatives, including mobile food pantry, monthly Wednesday night gatherings, Love Your Neighbor Sundays, Angel Tree and other programs
- Mentoring and guiding several young men in their personal and spiritual development
- Managing small groups, including adding young adult small groups as needed
- Organizing and leading monthly men's ministry events
- Assuring building maintenance and upkeep
- Coordinating a social media team and posting weekly sermon follow-ups (devotionals & reels)
- Building & updating church website with web building team
- Overseeing and editing weekly bulletin with bulletin team
Youth Minister
Laurel Church of Christ
03.2012 - 03.2021
- Delivered engaging weekly sermons tailored specifically for the youth audience, inspiring spiritual reflection and growth
- Led weekly Bible studies, fostering a deeper understanding of scripture among our students
- Delivered sermons to the entire church 3-4 times each year
- Taught classes on parenting adolescents and counseled parents through difficult seasons of parenting
- Designed curriculum for small groups within our youth ministry, including training for small group leaders
- Creatively navigated the 2020 pandemic, maintaining contact with students and families through social media, virtual meetings and off-campus in-person meetings
- Developed ministry skills/talents of our students through our student leadership team (SALT) and team ministry planning
- Sharpened and enhanced Laurel's summer youth ministry internship program, hiring 1-2 college students each summer
- Organized successful mission trips, providing opportunities for personal spiritual development and community service. Destinations: Pittsburgh, Honduras, New York City, Camp Barnabas (MO), Atlanta
- Spearheaded fundraising campaigns to support mission trips, special projects, and ongoing program expenses
- Worked together with 12-15 church staff members to maximize our church's effectiveness
- Directed and coordinated Knoxville Work Camp, a service camp that included 150-200 people and nine area churches, to serve our community through relationship building and property improvement projects
- Managed yearly budget for the youth ministry program, ensuring responsible allocation of resources for maximum impact
- Developed youth activities to build relationships and spiritual growth within the ministry
- Met with students outside the walls of the church in their schools, at restaurants, and in their homes
Youth Minister
Norway Avenue Church of Christ
07.2007 - 03.2012
- Preached 5-6 times each year
- Assisted the children's education team in developing our weekly Sunday morning children's program; leading 40+ adults to serve our children
- Organized the youth worship band for Wednesday nights
- Led a week of church camp for ages 14-19 - this included building and organizing a staff of 20-25 adults from various area churches
- Read at a local title IX elementary school throughout the school year
- Drove school buses locally for Chesapeake, OH township school district
Youth and Family Minister
White House Church of Christ
07.2003 - 07.2007
- Preached 6-8 times each year
- Led worship 8-10 Sunday mornings each year
- Directed a week of church camp for children ages 8-18. Responsibilities included: Organized a camp team of 20-25 adults from within the congregation; coordinated a praise team to lead worship throughout the week; composed a theme for the week; developed artwork and stage sets connected to the weekly theme; wrote curriculum for elementary, middle and high school classes each year
- Coached an area school soccer team
Part-time Youth Minister
South 14th Street Church of Christ
10.2002 - 07.2003
- Mentored 20-25 students at a small congregation in Central Florida
- Preached as frequently as requested
- Balanced this responsibility with full-time teaching schedule during the first year of my marriage
Chaplain and Bible Teacher
Christian Home and Bible School
08.2000 - 07.2003
- Planned and organized the chapel schedule and curriculum for three chapel services (elementary, middle school, and high school) each school day
- Co-directed a week of middle school camp at Central Florida Bible Camp
- Counseled at Teen Week of Central Florida Bible Camp
- Wrote curriculum for and taught daily middle school Bible classes each school year
- Taught classes at several area youth events
- Coached varsity soccer and junior varsity baseball
- Various other duties as a school teacher
Youth Minister's Intern
Various Churches
10.1999 - 06.2000
- 1999-2000: Hendersonville Church of Christ - worked with about 120 students (7th-12th grades) and 7 youth ministry staff members
- Summer 1998: Meadowbrook Church of Christ (Jackson, MS) - worked with a seasoned youth minister in a ministry of about 50 students
- Spring 1998: West End Church of Christ (Nashville) - worked with a new youth minister in a ministry of about 30 students
Interim Youth Minister
Heyl Road Church of Christ
06.1996 - 08.1998
- Served as the sole youth minister of 20-25 students during the summers
Part-time Campus Minister
Norway Avenue Church of Christ
08.1996 - 12.1997
- Served in partnership with a fellow student
- Led weekly Bible studies, offered counsel and planned weekly events for about 25 college students
Part-time Worker
JH Fletcher Company
05.1995 - 12.1997
- Company Overview: a coal mining manufacturer
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Bible
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN05-2000
Skills
- Leadership development
- Preaching and teaching
- Discipleship and mentorship
- Pastoral care
- Community engagement
- Strategic planning
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Conflict management
- Attention to detail
- Active listening
- Reliability
Timeline
Connections Minister
Laurel Church of Christ
03.2021 - Current
Youth Minister
Laurel Church of Christ
03.2012 - 03.2021
Youth Minister
Norway Avenue Church of Christ
07.2007 - 03.2012
Youth and Family Minister
White House Church of Christ
07.2003 - 07.2007
Part-time Youth Minister
South 14th Street Church of Christ
10.2002 - 07.2003
Chaplain and Bible Teacher
Christian Home and Bible School
08.2000 - 07.2003
Youth Minister's Intern
Various Churches
10.1999 - 06.2000
Part-time Campus Minister
Norway Avenue Church of Christ
08.1996 - 12.1997
Interim Youth Minister
Heyl Road Church of Christ
06.1996 - 08.1998
Part-time Worker
JH Fletcher Company
05.1995 - 12.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Bible
Lipscomb University
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